Phase II Investigations at Seven Site on Lake Oliver, Middle Chattahoochee Project (FERC #2177) Lee County Alabama and Muscogee County, Georgia

On 7 and 8 August 2001, Brockington and -Associates, Inc., conducted Phase II archaeological testing on selected sites located on Lake Oliver, one of three impoundments that comprise the Middle Chattahoochee Hydroelectric Project (FERC #2177). These investigations were conducted for Georgia Power Company, under a subcontract with CH2M HILL, as part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hydroelectric project relicensing process (18 CFR Part 4.51 [4], Application for License for Major Project-Existing Dam). Georgia Power implemented shoreline investigations to comply with requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended) and relevant regulations. Sites 1LE15, 1LE42,1 LE46, 9ME4, 9ME10, 9ME200, and 9ME210 were recorded prior the construction of the Oliver Dam during surveys conducted by the Smithsonian Institute (Huscher 1960) and the University of Georgia (McMichael and Kellar 1960). A recent shoreline reconnaissance, conducted during a scheduled drawdown by Brockington and Associates, Inc., identified a number of potentially eligible sites, including the seven sites that are the focus of the current investigation (Reid et al. 2000). These shoreline sites are potentially impacted by natural and artificial forces, including erosion from wave action, water table fluctuations, and residential development. After consultations with Georgia Power, the Alabama State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and the Georgia SHPO, Georgia Power selected seven sites (1LE15,1LE42, 1LE46, 9ME4, 9ME10, 9ME200, and 9ME210) for further investigation (Table 1). As Lake Oliver was at normal pool elevation, our investigations focused on sites and portions of sites above the shoreline/FERC boundary. Two of our sites (9ME4 and 9ME10) were determined to be completely submerged, with no cultural material present above the shoreline. Another site, 9ME200, was destroyed. We were unable to obtain landowner permission to test three of the sites (1LE15, 1LE46 and 9ME210), whose above water portions were located on residential lots. Table 1 summarizes NRHP and management recommendations for these six sites. Only one site (1LE42) produced artifacts from shovel tests located above the shoreline. Site 1LE42 is located on a small island off the Alabama shores of Lake Oliver. Possible looter pits and apparatus on the southern end of the island suggest that this site contains intact subsurface deposits. Shovel tests yielded a light to moderate scatter of prehistoric artifacts (mainly ceramics) concentrated in an intact subsurface stratum approximately 30-40 cm (12-16 in) below the surface. Unfortunately, the water table at full pool is also located at this depth, causing shovel tests to fill with water. For this reason, no formal test units were excavated at 1LE42; however, shovel testing indicates that intact subsurface deposits are present. Fluctuations in the water table due to lake level fluctuations have a destructive effect on subsurface ceramic artifacts and possibly features located at this site. We recommend this site not eligible for the NRHP, and further recommend monitoring be discontinued.