Skip to content
Independent and accessible public media is needed more than ever.
Help us continue keeping communities informed and inspired.
Keep public media independent and accessible
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Environment
  • Business
  •  

California Drought: Sacramento’s Gold Rush Days Back With Water Saving Plan

  •  Ed Joyce 
Monday, May 18, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Courtesy of Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau

Old Sacramento will once again host Gold Rush Days over Labor Day weekend after taking off in 2014 due to drought worries. The new plan to clean up after the event includes grey water and a lot of human power.

Courtesy of Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau

During Gold Rush Days, the streets of Old Town Sacramento are covered in dirt. But, because it takes a lot of water to remove it, the event was canceled in 2014.

Even though the drought is worse now, heading into the fourth summer of dry conditions, the festival - and the dirt - is back. 0515-Gold -Rush -2013-1

The annual Labor Day weekend festival involves the transformation of Old Town back into an 1850's gold rush town - by placing 200 tons of dirt on streets. 

But, rather than use 100,000 gallons of precious water to wash off the dirt when the event is over, Gold Rush Days was called off. The cancellation was a blow to merchants and area hotels. 

Mike Testa with the Sacramento Visitors and Convention Bureau said in July 2014, it was a “tough call.”

But, with a year to plan, he said  the dirt is back, along with a plan to remove it that doesn't use potable water.  

"We'll use more brooms, more sweepers, more scoopers,” said Testa. “And the merchants in Old Town Sacramento are prepared for that, they know that Old Sacramento will not be as pristine the day after as it has been in years past. We will likely use some water out there but when we do it will be graywater, second hand water that's reclaimed." 

Testa said the dirt is the key to making Gold Rush Days popular.

It also provides a soft surface for running horses, wagons and performers re-enacting the Pony Express among other shows.  

Testa said the event drew 100,000 people in 2013. 


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about drought

  • State Of Drought

    Reservoir levels are at historic lows, municipalities are ordering mandatory conservation and farmers are bracing for water shortages. CapRadio is following how Californians are being impacted by the drought.

    Related Stories

  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Californians Say Drought Is Top Issue For State

    Thursday, June 4, 2015
    A new statewide poll shows Californians are concerned more about drought than jobs and the economy.
  • Source: California Department of Water Resources

    California Drought: 'Harsher' Impacts For Ag Industry In 2015

    Tuesday, June 2, 2015
    Water experts at UC Davis said Tuesday that drought impacts will be worse in 2015 for the California agricultural industry.
  • Woranuch Joyce /CPR

    California Drought: ‘Mild Impact’ To State’s Economy

    Friday, May 29, 2015
    A University of the Pacific economic forecast shows that drought has had a "relatively mild" impact on California's economy.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: Cash For Grass Expands In Sacramento County

    Thursday, May 28, 2015
    Another water district in Sacramento County is offering cash rebates for customers to remove grass.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: El Niño Won’t End Dry Times In California

    Wednesday, May 27, 2015
    NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center and meteorologists in other countries show that strong-to-moderate El Niño conditions are present in the tropical Pacific. But it won't end the drought in California.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: Power Supply Will Meet Summer Demand

    Thursday, May 7, 2015
    The manager of California's power grid says additional supply, mostly from solar sources, will help it meet electricity demand this summer.
  • Damian Dovarganes / AP

    California Drought: Folsom Rolls Out Rebates, Water Conservation Plan

    Wednesday, May 6, 2015
    Less than a day after state regulators issued new water conservation guidelines, the City of Folsom rolled out its plan to reduce water use.
  • planetlight / Flickr

    California Drought: 'Exceptional' Drought Expands In Sierra

    Thursday, April 23, 2015
    As California enters the dry season, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report shows one category expanding.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: ‘Dire Circumstances’ For Water Supply

    Thursday, April 9, 2015
    Despite the recent rain and snowfall, California's water deficit continues. And El Niño conditions will have little impact on northern California.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    Alternative Events Planned As Gold Rush Days Canceled

    Monday, July 28, 2014
    The continued drought brings cancellation to this year’s Old Sacramento festival.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    Sacramento's Gold Rush Days Festival Canceled Due To Drought

    Monday, July 28, 2014
    Organizers of Sacramento's Gold Rush Days announced that the event will not be taking place this year.

 droughtcaliforniaeconomyOld Town SacramentoGold Rush Dayswater conservationtourismDrought2015

Ed Joyce

Former All Things Considered Anchor & Reporter

Ed Joyce is a former reporter and All Things Considered news anchor at Capital Public Radio. Ed is a veteran journalist with experience in a variety of news positions across all media platforms, including radio, television, web and print.   Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Environment Stories

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File

How idle oil wells leaked explosive levels of methane in Bakersfield

June 21, 2022

Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

Tunnel vision: What’s next for the governor’s plan to replumb the Delta?

June 22, 2022

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California tax relief: What’s in the deal

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

California’s next cannabis battle may be coming to a city near you

Governor Newsom signs bill to shield patients threatened by abortion bans in other states

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California tax relief: What’s in the deal

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

California’s next cannabis battle may be coming to a city near you

Governor Newsom signs bill to shield patients threatened by abortion bans in other states

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.