Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed Dawsonville Reservoir, Dawson County, Georgia

Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. (SAS), contracted with Infratec Consultants, Inc. to conduct a Phase I cultural resources survey of the impact area resulting from a proposed reservoir on Russell Creek in Dawson County, Georgia. Proposed dam improvements will raise the existing lake level to 1210 ft amsl. All area contained within the 1210 ft amsl contour line, approximately 80 ha (198 ac), is the proposed project's area of potential effect or impact area. SAS surveyed the impact area during the second week of February, 2005 and recorded ten archeological sites and three archeological occurrences (Table 1). Historic period sites with visible above-ground features were the most prevalent site type, comprised of six sites identifying abandoned liquor stills and one site documenting a concentration of gold prospecting pits. The remaining three sites consisted of one prehistoric site on a ridge crest, dating to the Middle Archaic period, one late nineteenth-early twentieth century house site and one early-middle twentieth century, subsurface ceramic scatter. Though these sites are important for regional archeological studies, particularly those representing middle nineteenth through early twentieth century economic pursuits of the local community, no sites were recognized as significant in regard to additional archeological research. Thus, we do not recommend any of the ten archeological sites eligible or potentially eligible for listing on the National Register. Should the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and participating federal agencies concur, then the proposed Dawsonville reservoir project will not adversely affect any significant cultural resources.