The process of washing ore, or of uncovering mineral veins, by a heavy discharge of water from a reservoir; flushing; -- also called booming and hydraulic mining.

a method for working quarries; the ponded waters from dammed streams were released in a torrent to scour away topsoil and loose rock and expose the high quality beds beneath. Such areas are visible today as a confusing tangle of dry watercourses, hollows and conical spoilheaps.