[EarthResearcher333]

I've been meaning to get back to you on discussion of the "borrow" area excavation for the main dam. The article link you referenced included a personal interview of one of the operators of a large bucket excavator. In looking at old Oroville postcards for some history photos, I ran across these two. Pretty impressive machine. The exotic conveyor belt transport system is just as impressive.

Large bucket excavator carving into old dredge tailings. Note the leftover "grooves" on the surface - these match the satellite imagery of the "borrow fields".

Mobile swing conveyor machine. Transfers bucket excavation material to a fixed main conveyor line.

[abb]

Note the trommel screen straddling the conveyor. They must have been classifying the aggregate prior to conveying to the dam site. Wonder how much gold is buried in the dam fill?

[mad_as_he$$]

Granddaddy of this?

http://i.imgur.com/39EF2P5.jpg

[Bobsvainbabblings]

This link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOnDeAIgUo8 is a short video of the construction of the dam. It shows that machine in operation. As add supposed,”They must have been classifying the aggregate prior to conveying to the dam site.” They mention that and you can see two conveyor belts.

This link is to a longer version. It has more info on the train and material placement. Worth watching to the end. BVB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=how56Jem9ZU