Alluvial gold was mined in the area after its discovery in 1862.

The river remains, to a lesser degree, a source of alluvial gold and diamonds.

This was followed by exploitation of alluvial gold usually in creeks and rivers.

Alluvial gold was discovered in 1854 and 5,000 miners came to the area creating a gold rush.

Alluvial gold was later found in 1900 and a townsite was established to house the miners.