As is known, the hydraulic method of development provides a comprehensive mechanization of labor and high technical and economic performance. As applied to the development of alluvial deposits, one of the urgent tasks is the determination of design parameters and improvement of hydraulic mining systems.Specific water consumption in short-season hydraulics with natural head depends both on the natural conditions of each particular placer (physical and mechanical properties of the soil, the thickness and width of the placer, the slope and nature of the dam, etc.) and on factors related to the organization of placer mining (head and water quantity, mining system, adopted equipment, the length of the excavation area, etc.).