Contrary Creek is a tributary of the North Anna River located in Louisa County, Virginia.
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The earliest recording of gold mining activity in Virginia began about 1804 as placer mining, followed quickly by lode mining. Mining continued unabated until the onset of the California Gold Rush, at which point most serious speculators moved west. Production continued at a low level until the Civil War, when it virtually ground to a halt. Near the end of the war, Union troops began a systematic campaign to destroy the economic base of the South. Many gold mines were subsequently damaged beyond repair. Most were, by this time, marginal producers, their ores of such low concentrate as to stretch the limits of the mercury amalgam recovery technology of the day. Many of these mines never reopened. Other mines did, however, and gold production in Virginia continued until World War II, when, on October 8, 1942, the War Production Board issued Limitation Order L-208, which branded gold production as a non-essential and directed all but the smallest of gold mines to shut down so their labor force could be used elsewhere to support the war effort. Economic conditions following the war were such that few miners returned to mining, so only a handful of mines reopened. For all practical purposes, commercial gold production in Virginia ceased after 1948. At its peak, Virginia was the third largest gold producing state, and the heart of the gold production area was at the junction of Spotsylvania, Culpeper, and Orange counties near Wilderness. More than 300 prospects and mines are known to have existed in Virginia, yet very few, if any at all, are commercially active at this time. Amateur and hobby prospecting continues to this day, primarily consisting of individual or small scale placer operations. Many hobbyists simply use a gold pan or a sluice box. Contrary Creek has been the subject of many studies. The area surrounding the creek contains a variety of abandoned base-metal massive sulfide mines and quartz-gold vein deposits. To date, site-specific studies have concentrated mostly on the sulfer and pyrite mines. The area is in the so-called pyritegold belt of the Piedmont physiographic province and was the scene of extensive mining activity in the 19th century. Between 1880 and 1923 three deep shaft pyrite mines known as the Arminius, Boyd Smith, and Sulphur were operated along Contrary Creek. Over six million tons of pyrite ore were produced from the mines during their operation. It was during this period that large volumes of wastes were dumped indiscriminately along Contrary Creek, creating an acid mine drainage problem. The worst conditions prevailed at the Sulphur Site upsteam of the road overpass. The area remained essentially in this condition for over 50 years after the mines were closed until plans were announced to build the reservoir on the North Anna River into which Contrary Creek drains. Arguably the worst acid mine drainage (AMD) site in Virginia, the creek receives drainage from five abandoned pyrite mines including the Sulphur, Boyd Smith, and Arminius Mines. The pyrite, which was mined for production of sulfuric acid, occurs in lenses up to 50 feet thick and several hundred feet long. Iron gossan, copper, and pyrite were mined at intervals between 1834 and 1922. At the Sulphur Mine, underground mine workings include several drifts that undercut Contrary Creek. |
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Reclamation of Toxic Mine
Waste at Contrary Creek Upstream mines and prospects near Contrary Creek on the Mineral, VA 7.5' topographic map Mine drainage activities Gold prospecting in Virginia |
Prospecting for gold at Contrary Creek
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There are many gold mines in the direct vicinity of Contrary Creek, and gold can be found within the waters of the creek in every location. The creek is a popular destination for recreational gold prospectors. I have been to Contrary Creek consistantly since January 2007. I enjoy prospecting in the creek with my friends, and we always have a good time. We formed a group a few years ago which promotes responsible prospecting and have been steadily working on cleaning up the creek and surrounding area. We've removed hundreds of pounds of trash, filled in dozens of holes, and repaired the banks and vegetated areas. If you prospect at Contrary Creek, please do so in a responsible manner. The creek is easy to find. Head north from Mineral up Rt 522/208. You'll cross the creek after about 5 miles once you leave town. Heading south from Orange, head east on Rt 20 for about 10 miles. At the intersection of 20 and 522, make a right on 522 and head south for 15 miles. From Lake Anna, head west on 208 until 208 intersects with 522. Make a left and head south for 1 mile until you reach the overpass that crosses the creek. There is a parking area on the south side of the overpass. |
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