Summer season starts with talk of a coup when Andy plots father Brad's gold mining demise and Vern brings both daughters onto the Wild Ranger but their inexperience could be a liability. Over on the Eroica, Emily loses her cool with a stubborn diver who doesn't respect her rules meant to keep the crew safe.
Shawn argues with his dad about starting an inland mining company which could deplete resources from the dredging operation. Meanwhile, the other crews struggle to suck up the gold when a storm brings rough seas and seasickness.
Kris Kelly is devastated when brother Andy quits the Reaper and leaves him to mine alone with his untrustworthy father. Meanwhile, a near tragedy on the Gold Grabber causes a stressed-out Hank to doubt his dream of mining on the water.
Steve informs son Shawn that he is cut out of the inland mining business and the news is not taken lightly. On the Eroica, Emily deals with a greenhorn diver who has a panic attack underwater and Brad Kelly makes a convoluted deal with a friend which hurts his son's ability to mine properly.
Zeke makes a strategic hire helping boost his chances to get on the gold while Emily has a hard time understanding her greenhorn. On the Reaper, Kris begs his brother to return to mining and Brad's new girlfriend faces potentially deadly complications when she goes into labor.
Emily has a dismal clean-out causing her diver to reevaluate his career and the Gold Grabber breaks down right as they get on a paystreak. Meanwhile, Zeke's love interest makes a valuable discovery and Kris Kelly must find a new place to live now that his baby sister is on the scene.
Kris reaches the limit with his father Brad and decides to strike out on his own while Emily's crew is more focused on partying than finding gold. On the Wild Ranger, Vern receives a disturbing phone call from his daughter which results in a fractured relationship.
Shawn comes up with a devious plan to prevent other dredges from encroaching on his mining spots while Chris nearly drowns diving on the dredge he bought with a partner. Over on the Eroica, Emily tries to round up a new crew to salvage the last few weeks of the season.
The crews engage in an epic battle for dominion over the rapidly depleting Tomcod claim while Emily and new diver Daryl are determined to end the season in the black.
Ice invades the harbor and crews race to get some last minute gold in the box before the big freeze ends the season. The Pomrenkes turn their attention to inland mining and Kris Kelly tries to end the season on a high note but his greenhorn diver might thwart his plans. Meanwhile, brother Andy Kelly enacts revenge on his father after discovering he's been ripped off of thousands in gold money.