Nevada County Malakoff Diggins Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park is the site of California’s largest hydraulic mining operation. Remnants of the damage to cliffs carved by mighty streams of water are still visible today. This technique of washing away entire mountains to find the precious metal developed considerable controversy. There were several legal battles between the mine owners and nearby farmers, ultimately ending hydraulic mining.

In 1852 hydraulic mining was invented. This technique utilized cannon like nozzles, called monitors, to wash away the gold-bearing hills with high-pressure blasts of water. To support this method of mining, elaborate systems of reservoirs, ditches and sluices were developed to bring water to the site. As the mud washed away from the hillsides it was channeled through sluice boxes that caught the particles of gold.

Today the focus is the remains of North Bloomfield, a once-lively town of 1,500 that served as a supply base for the Diggins. There is a block long row of buildings, some dating to the 1850s. Most of the buildings have been restored or recreated to give a feel for the Gold Rush days.

The park headquarters and museum holds artifacts from the period, include a sewing machine used to make hoses for the mining operation and model showing how hydraulics worked.
The park also contains a 7,847 foot bedrock tunnel that served as a drain. The visitor center has exhibits on life in the old mining town of North Bloomfield.

Location and Directions
From Nevada City, travel 11-miles north on highway-49 toward Downieville. Turn right onto Tyler Foote Road, stay on the pavement and follow the yellow line to the park. The road changes names a few times (Curzon Grade Road, Back Bone Road, Derbec Road, North Bloomfield Road). These are not high-speed roads. The park is 26-miles from Nevada City.