James Hamm Gold Rush: White Water Star – Biography, Mining Career, and Life in Granite Falls

From building a 20-foot sluice box in the woods of Washington to diving blind into McKinley Creek, James Hamm has turned DIY grit into gold rush grit.

He is a Washington-born prospector, diver, and TV personality best known for his role on Discovery’s Gold Rush: White Water, a high-stakes reality series that follows crews of miners as they plunge into Alaska’s wild, white-water creeks in search of gold. Since joining the show in Season 3, he has become a regular crew member known for his problem-solving skills, rugged work ethic, and deep-river dredging expertise. Off-camera, James is equally involved in small-scale mining, construction, and public outreach at gold shows across the Pacific Northwest. With roots in Granite Falls and experience ranging from Nome, Alaska, to McKinley Creek, his career reflects a hands-on approach to modern-day gold prospecting.

Childhood and Background

Born in 1979 in Granite Falls, Washington, James Hamm was raised in the backwoods surrounded by forest, tools, and a strong sense of independence. Without a family tradition in mining, James’s passion developed on his own—sparked by time spent outdoors and a natural fascination with the earth. “We didn’t have much,” he once said, “but I always had the woods and a shovel.”

At age 16, James had a chance encounter with an old prospector who showed him how to pan in a creek near his home. Although the pan revealed only fool’s gold, the moment ignited a lifelong pursuit. Around that time, James built his first sluice box—20 feet long—using cedar shingles from his father’s (Jimmy Hamm) property (to his dad’s dismay). Over the following years, he continued experimenting with small-scale mining techniques along creeks and rivers near his hometown.

James has also gained experience dredging off the shores of Nome, Alaska, and conducting deep-river prospecting throughout the Pacific Northwest. James calls himself a “bush mechanic”—someone who keeps gear running with creativity and grit.

How James Hamm Joined Gold Rush: White Water

James’s entry into the Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush: White Water came after years of persistence. He submitted videos and applications—including footage from his Chasing Nuggets series—until a tense Skype interview finally earned him a place on the Dakota Boys crew. Despite never meeting Fred or Dustin Hurt in person beforehand, he joined the show with confidence and field-tested experience.

James Hamm’s Mining Career on Gold Rush: White Water (2019–2025)

James joined Gold Rush: White Water in Season 3 (2019) and has since appeared in over 78 episodes through Season 9 (2025). As a diver and field tech, he helped shape mining strategies, such as using GoPro footage to prove how poor underwater visibility reduced gold recovery. This shifted how the crew approached key dredging sites.

Throughout his run, James has managed underwater suction dredging, explosives, and on-the-fly equipment repairs. He’s worked closely with Dustin Hurt, Carlos Minor, and Wes Richardson, maintaining a steady presence even in some of the show’s most dangerous expeditions.

In a 2023 update, James announced plans to rebuild his personal mining setup and begin working near Liberty, Washington—an area known for historic gold finds. Although the project was still in progress, he remained committed to small-scale mining. Previous setbacks, such as the theft of his equipment, hadn’t slowed him down. He continued pursuing his passion independently while balancing construction projects on the side.

Life Beyond Gold Rush: Construction Projects, Gold Shows, and the Goldhound Brand

In addition to mining, James Hamm has expanded his work into construction and public outreach. In March 2023, he shared a post from Oak Harbor, Washington, where he was helping friends frame, sheet, and roof an oceanfront property. He mentioned doing this type of construction “on and off for three years,” showcasing his skills beyond the goldfields.

James is a frequent face at gold shows and community events across Washington State. He attended the GPAA Gold & Treasure Show in Monroe (2023), the Cashmere Gold and Gem Show (2023), and the 21st Annual Gold and Treasure Show in Cashmere (2022), where he raffled off gold dredged from McKinley Creek. He also participated in events organized by the Bedrock Prospectors Association at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe (2022). At these events, James demonstrated prospecting tools, promoted small-scale mining practices, and connected with both fans and fellow miners.

On April 26, 2025, following the Season 9 air date of Gold Rush: White Water, James hosted a themed watch party at the Granite Falls Eagles lodge. The event featured show-related drink specials and pulled pork sandwiches, offering fans a chance to celebrate with one of the stars in person.

Custom Airboat for Remote Gold Prospecting

In October 2023, James Hamm announced that he had acquired an airboat—a specialized flat-bottomed vessel ideal for navigating shallow rivers and marshy backcountry. After towing it back to Washington State and bringing it home via a long ferry ride, he began a months-long overhaul to make it ready for gold prospecting in terrain unreachable by truck or ATV.

By March 2024, James had already diagnosed and resolved several issues, including bad spark plugs and mixed-up wires that caused the engine to run on only three cylinders. He installed a new alternator, completed high-temperature engine painting after 15 hours of prep work, and began fabricating key parts of the vessel’s framework. His upgrades included new seating, reinforced structure, bunk board replacements for the trailer, and protective poly paneling to guard the boat’s bottom.

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In April, he got the boat and trailer powder-coated in bold red through a partnership with THERMO TECH in Monroe, Washington. The final poly installation and finishing touches brought the vessel close to operational status. By early May 2024, James proudly shared that the airboat was almost ready for a test run. On June 8, 2025, he posted a video of its first-ever run in Alaska, marking a major milestone in the vessel’s transformation from project to field-tested machine.

Through this DIY-intensive process, James showcased his hands-on skills and cost-conscious mindset—frequently crediting his friends and community for helping him make the project possible without breaking the bank.

Personal Life

James Hamm resides in Granite Falls, Washington. While he shares occasional updates about his mining, construction, and event appearances on social media, he keeps his personal and family life largely private. There is no public record or official confirmation about his marital status or children as of 2025.