Howard Valley (Louis Creek) INTEL
Louis Creek in the Howard Valley is the most popular fossicking destination in the Nelson region. The gold here has a distinctive "grainy" appearance, looking almost like coarse sand until you see the colour in your pan. Beginners regularly find gold here.
Mission Profile
Discovery Metrics
Operational Gear
Stratigraphy & History
The Howard Valley was prospected in the 1860s, though it never saw the frenzy of Otago or the West Coast. This means the ground is less disturbed, with good gold remaining accessible to modern fossickers using simple equipment.
Geological Context
The alluvial gold is surprisingly shallow here, often found in grass roots along the creek banks. The grain-like texture suggests a nearby source — the gold hasn't travelled far enough to be polished smooth. Test the grassy banks, not just the creek bed.
Field Note
CONFIDENTIAL PRO-INTEL
Verified Sector Secret
"Maud Creek confluence — the best spot for pickers. Multiple gold sources meet here, concentrating the heavy material."
Economic Potential
Historical yield data suggests unrecovered fines at depth. Optimal for small-scale suction or high-banking if permitted.
Trade Gold
Leverage spot price movements globally while you're in the field.