Looking to Dig along local Creek

[Lesley1979]

As I mentioned before, I am really new to digging and have started all beginners research but I have found that it is more rewarding to just go with the moment, the location, and I have found some really amazing finds. I need help though as to digging near creeks. I live near a Creek and have walked along the side in marsh, wet, tree lined areas and without digging have found old Clorox Jugs, few amber bottles, but my question is what is the best way of digging in areas such as the one I mentioned. We have had so many Hurricanes along the Eastern Seaboard and Eastern NC, I wonder if it would be worth the time. Thanks!

 

[Screwtop]

Well for one thing, I wouldn't dig in a random area. I have found some old bottles just like you have, mostly surface creek finds. I also had the pleasure of digging a trash pit, and that's where you want to go. As to how you find one, I'll let the others explain cause I can't. There are a lot of options to choose from besides creek and trash pits. I hope you find some goodies! And when you do, post the pics!

 

[RCO]

there is no harm in looking , never know what you might find . the storms and hurricanes might of actually unearthed or moved things which had been hidden for some time . often things are found after such storms

 

[BottleDragon]

It would help to know where old houses were located and if the back of the properties intersected with the creek. Even if you don't know that, simply find the oldest stand of trees along the creek, then look for evidence of a trail leading to that area. The dump site would be somewhere nearby, usually on a slope. It may be hard to figure out at first, but once you find it, it will make sense.

 

[RickNC]

I'm also in Eastern NC and could assist if interested.

 

[WesternPA-collector]

As BottleDragon said, look for hillsides. I noticed that people would dump over hills to "hide" all the garbage so that people don't notice as well. Out of sight out of mind I suppose. Might be able to figure out where to dig by metal detecting. Since old bottles also had metal caps and fasteners too.

 

[Tigrdog1]

I noted in larger creeks you sometimes will see bottles and glass shards washing out of the side of the bank. I ran into Hutchinson bottles actually sticking out of a bank and knew right where to dig!

 

[GLASSHOPPER55]

GREAT advice, Tigr! I'm always watching the creek banks looling for shards, or debris indicating a dump.

 

[sandchip]

Like Tigrdog said, I've found trash piles by spotting a bottle sticking out of the bank, and although it was a nice little spot, it wasn't the only source of bottles. If you find them in the creek, take note of where you tend to stop finding items as you move upstream. Look closely at the banks in these areas, maybe even do some probing along these stretches and you might find the major source of where those bottles found in the creek are coming from.

 

[Tigrdog1]

Just an after thought here.... creeks running through old town sites, near old churches .... sand/gravel piles in creek bends as well as washes / holes. I pulled out a Christmas coke from my home town of Ackerman, Miss. in the middle of a pasture creek under a log where old bricks and rocks had collected. Watch for moccasins!!!