These are large tracts which provide a wide range of different types of dredging conditions. The upper area, above Edwards Crossing, is approximately 3.5 miles long, and the area below the crossing is about 2.5 miles long. In the lower area, dredgers can stay for up to two weeks, in the upper area they can stay from two to four weeks. These areas are remote and access is limited to the South Yuba foot trail.
Many areas require packing in dredges for miles.
The Mokelumne River is being examined as a recreational dredging area. The effects of dredging are being studied to see what impact dredging has on water quality before it runs into a nearby reservoir or if it interferes excessively with other river users. Due to a need for further coordination and major flood damage to Electra Road, this river will no be open to dredging in 1997. The Merced River is open to limited recreational dredging in the Briceburg area off of Highway 140. There are three dredging areas which start below the Briceburg Bridge and run west, down river.