A glacier, which formerly extended to the mouth of Gold Creek and built up the moraines, excavated the depression that forms the basin.
Subsequently, it was occupied by a lake that was separated from the lower portions of the creek by a solid rock divide.
Lurvey Creek forks into North Lurvey Creek and East Lurvey Creek above the basin.
The basin's lake beds are auriferous.
Although the creek was filled with ice, there are patches near the basin which were not subjected to glaciation.
The postglacial lake basin is filled with gravels from several creeks including Gold, Icy, Lurvey, Nugget, as well as Quartz Gulches.
The basin ores are principally gold with small amounts of silver, zinc, or lead.
Granite rocks are located in the northwestern part of the basin.

Silver Bow Basin is approximately 3,000 feet (910 m) long and 1,000 feet (300 m) wide, at an altitude of 1,250 feet (380 m).
A glacier, which formerly extended to the mouth of Gold Creek and built up the moraines, excavated the depression that forms the basin. Subsequently, it was occupied by a lake that was separated from the lower portions of the creek by a solid rock divide. Lurvey Creek forks into North Lurvey Creek and East Lurvey Creek above the basin. The basin's lake beds are auriferous. Although the creek was filled with ice, there are patches near the basin which were not subjected to glaciation. The postglacial lake basin is filled with gravels from several creeks including Gold, Icy, Lurvey, Nugget, as well as Quartz Gulches. The basin ores are principally gold with small amounts of silver, zinc, or lead. Granite rocks are located in the northwestern part of the basin.
Silver Bow Basin is approximately 3,000 feet (910 m) long and 1,000 feet (300 m) wide, at an altitude of 1,250 feet (380 m).
Silver Bow Basin