Could Drought Lead To Another Gold Rush In California?

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — There may not be any water in them there hills, but that might make finding gold a little easier.

With California in the grip of an official drought, prospectors are making their way into the hills and mountains to see if the lack of water will make it easier to find gold grains and nuggets.

Northern California is typically believed to be prime gold country, but Curt Timmons of Digger Mining and Supply in Baldwin Park says a little time in the desert, Big Bear or the San Gabriel Canyon could yield some sparkly dividends.

"You can pretty much go to the bottom of these creeks with a shovel and have easy access to these gold-bearing materials," Timmons said.

With water levels in the state's rivers so low, gold diggers can now get to places that haven't been touched by man in perhaps more than a century.

But it takes some work, Timmons says.

"It took me about 11 hours over a two day period to do that and there's over $4,500 in gold," he said.