Archaeological Site Identification and Erosion Monitoring for the TVA Reservoir Operation Compliance Project: 2005-2009 Field Seasons on Portions of Blue Ridge, Chatuge, Cherokee, Fontana, Hiwassee, Norris, Nottely, Pickwick, South Holston, Watauga Reserv

The Archaeological Research Laboratory (ARL) at the University of Tennessee's Department of Anthropology has been contracted by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to conduct an archaeological and erosion monitoring survey of portions of Blue Ridge, Chatuge, Cherokee, Fontana, Hiwassee, Norris, Nottely, Pickwick, South Holston, Watauga, and Wheeler Reservoirs in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The archaeological survey and evaluation was conducted as part of the TVA's Reservoir Operations Compliance' (ROC) projects. The ARL has conducted shoreline survey on these reservoirs during the winter draw-down period from December 2005 to March 2009. On Blue Ridge Reservoir 16.2 miles (26.1 km), on Chatuge 37.6 miles (60.5 km), on Cherokee 179.4 miles (288.8 km), on Fontana 175.4 miles (282.4 km), on Hiwassee 25.7 miles (41.4 km), on Norris 491.3 miles (791 km), on Nottely 39 miles (62.8 km), on Pickwick 60.9 miles (98 km), on South Holston 74.7 (120.3 km), on Watauga 38.8 miles (62.5 km), and on Wheeler 443.7 miles (714.4 km) where surveyed. As a result of these field investigations 1690 archaeological sites, 156 isolated finds, and 50 caves and rock shelters where no cultural materials were identified have been recorded. These include 17 archaeological sites and 7 isolated finds on Blue Ridge Reservoir, 64 archaeological sites and 3 isolated finds on Chatuge Reservoir, 344 archaeological sites and 28 isolated finds on Cherokee Reservoir, 127 archaeological sites and 14 isolated finds on Fontana Reservoir, 45 archaeological sites and 1 isolated find on Hiwassee Reservoir, 638 archaeological sites and 52 isolated finds on Norris Reservoir, 57 archaeological sites and 11 isolated finds on Nottely Reservoir, 67 archaeological sites on Pickwick Reservoir, 47 archaeological sites and 4 isolated finds on South Holston Reservoir, 23 archaeological sites and 2 isolated finds on Watauga Reservoir, and 261 archaeological sites and 34 isolated finds on Wheeler Reservoir. During the 2009 field season, revisits of sites examined during the 2005 and 2006 field seasons were conducted to determine the extent of erosion. These sites were selected based on recommendations of potential eligibility for listing to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as well as existing and potential erosion factors. Datums had been driven during the original investigations and their distances to the edge of the reservoirs' cutbanks were recorded. A total of 385 archaeological sites were revisited which were considered potentially eligible for listing to the NRHP and had moderate to severe existing and potential erosion. These included 4 sites on Blue Ridge Reservoir, 7 on Chatuge Reservoir, 104 on Cherokee Reservoir, 14 on Fontana Reservoir, 12 on Hiwassee Reservoir, 147 on Norris Reservoir, 5 on Nottely Reservoir, 20 on Pickwick Reservoir, 7 on South Holston Reservoir, 8 on Watauga Reservoir, and 57 on Wheeler Reservoir. The changes in shoreline in conjunction with observations of additional factors, such as shoreline undercutting, existing erosion barriers, and artificial shoreline alteration will serve as a means for TVA to determine future management strategies.