Archaeological Ivestigations: Evaluation of Archaeological Potential Proposed 100-Acre (40.5 Hectare) Public Fishing Lake, Houston County, Georgia

On November 25 and December 22, Staff of the Office of the State Archaeologist conducted archaeological investigations at a proposed fishing lake in Houston County, where an earth dam will impound an approximately 40.5 hectare reservoir. The stream channel, seasonally dry, is incised ca. 2 - 3 meters into a featureless flood plain. The predicted flood pool elevation is 337'(102.7 meters). This contour crosses eroded gentle slopes on the upstream end of the proposed flood pool, and runs along the top of 5-6 meter high bluffs or steep eroded slopes in much of the downstream portions. The investigation consisted of shovel testing and visual examination of exposed surfaces along the cleared perimeter of the proposed lake and along the axis of the proposed dam. The survey documented extensive severe erosion (exposed subsoil and deep gullies) over the project area. In addition, a proposed borrow area east of the dam was investigated. Three aboriginal artifact scatters and one historic artifact scatter, a 20`" century trash dump, were recorded. None of the sites is considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Investigations in the flood plain consisted of examining tree tips and backdirt from geotechnical testing. There was no evidence of buried cultural deposits, and it is considered unlikely that significant buried sites exist in the flood plain. The presence of cortical chert debitage suggests that there may have been small amounts of low quality lithic material available, but the sites encountered during the survey appeared to represent reduction of only one or two cores. The small intermittent stream would not have provided sufficient resources to sustain a permanent occupation, or even a long-term camp. Near-surface sediment in the valley floor is red clay loam. It is likely that most of the valley sediment is colluvium, as the small stream would not have carried much fluvial sediments, even at times of increased flow. Based on results of the survey and extensive erosion documented within the project area, it is unlikely that significant archaeological resources occur in the project area. No additional archaeological investigations are recommended for the project.