Little Violet and Cottoneva creeks
Geology
Bedrock Geology
Little Violet and Cottoneva creeks both drain prospective Livingstone Creek Assemblage bedrock (Snowcap). These rocks play host to gold-bearing quartz veins and are the likely source for placer gold in the Livingstone placer district. The bedrock source however, has remained elusive in the district, partly due to limited outcrop. For a detailed bedrock map please visit: OF2017-1.pdf
Placer Deposits
An estimated 50,000 ounces of gold has been recovered from the Livingstone placer district since its discovery in 1898.
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Gold-bearing boulder gravel is found on the bedrock surface. This gravel pre-dates the last glaciation and is overlain by stratified sand and gravel that accumulated just prior to the glaciers arriving in the Livingstone area. Glacial outwash gravel and till overlie the stratified sediment and form the uppermost units in the section. These were deposited when the ice sheet overrode the area. Placer deposits were protected from glacier erosion in the narrow valleys that are oriented perpendicular to the ice flow. The stratigraphy is similar between Little Violet and Cottoneva creeks.
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The lower 3m (10 ft) of the bounder gravel is considered pay. All other sediments are overburden and range in thickness from 10 to 20m (33 - 66 ft). More information on the stratigraphy of Livingstone placer deposits can be found here: 08_Levson.pdf
Little Violet Creek
Bill Lebarge photo
Little Violet Creek
Cottoneva Creek
Bill Lebarge photos
Bill Lebarge photo
Little Violet gold
Placer gold
Gold is coarse-grained throughout the Livingstone placer district. Approximately 50% is larger that 1/4" and the remainder is between 1/4" and 20 mesh in size. The gold purity is reported as 87 to 88%.
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The largest nugget in the district was found in 1905 on May Creek and weighted 39 oz.