Pecos River Placer District — San Miguel County

McLemore (1994) lists Willow Creek among 36 New Mexico mining districts containing placer gold (NMBGMR Resource Map 24, district DIS167). Estimated placer production: trace to small-scale placer production (est. 100 oz) from 1828–1991 statewide context (662,000 oz total NM placer production). Production period: 1927-1944. District cumulative production (all commodities): $40,000,000. Deposit types: placer gold, Vein and replacement deposits in Proterozoic rocks, VMS. Also known as: Cooper, Cowles, Hamilton, Pecos, Terrero, Valley Ranch. The Pecos mine was the largest lead and zinc producer in New Mexico from 1927 to 1939 and is one of the top 10 lead and zinc producers in New Mexico. Placer gold occurs as native gold and electrum in incised valleys and alluvial fans. Most economic placers were discovered by 1900; recreational panning may find fine colors — verify land status before prospecting. Coordinates approximate the district centroid from NMBGMR Resource Map 24 GIS (DIS167).