The economic recession has given rise to alternative methods of income. Northern California and Oregon, historically known as the State of Jefferson, has produced a large amount of gold, which is still sought in the Rogue Valley. With increasing interest since the California mining regulation restrictions of 2011, the use of dredges, disposal of dredged material and unnatural waterways has permanently altered streams and rivers. This research project aims to look at water quality, riparian zone and erosional damage from past, present and future claims. Local resources such as the Department of Environmental Quality and the Bureau of Land Management have provided extensive research and data in supporting the proposed hypothesis.