A Landscape Changed. Mining in the late 1800's and early 1900's altered the Trinity River. Large hydraulic monitors shot powerful jets of water into the hillsides. Entire mountains were washed away. Large floating bucket-line dredges tore up river valleys. The Trinity mainstem was heavily impacted by placer mining in the channel. Mercury was used in the mining and processing of gold. Hydraulic placer mining released as much as one pound of mercury for three or four ounces of gold. Today, on the Trinity River, suction dredging is the preferred method of mining. Dirt and large piles of rocks, or tailings, left behind from mining can be seen along the river west of Junction City.
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