Archaeological Survey of Approximately 59 Linear Miles of the Nottely Reservoir Shoreline Management Zone, Union County, Georgia

The investigation of approximately 59 linear miles of the Nottely Reservoir was conducted for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TV A) by New South Associates, Inc. The Nottely Reservoir is located in Union County, Georgia along the Nottely River Valley in the southern Blue Ridge physiographic region. New South Associates submitted a technical and budgetary proposal for an intensive shoreline survey of developed areas and areas with a high potential for further development along the Nottely Reservoir within TV A's shoreline management zone (SMZ). The SMZ extends from the median winter pool (MWP) located at 1,750 feet AMSL to the maximum shoreline contour (MSC) located at 1,785. This study is intended to provide a detailed description of the archaeological survey and the resources found in order to allow the Georgia State Historic Preservation Offices to determine the eligibility of sites for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition, the report will assist TV A in future land-use planning.     The primary goal of the survey was to determine National Register eligibility of sites in areas where the Tennessee Valley Authority expects to be at risk for future development within their shoreline management zone. Sites were identified primarily through pedestrian survey of the exposed shoreline area within the SMZ. Surface collection consisted of general collections of small or larger, sparse sites, and 3 meter dogleashes at larger, denser sites using intervals between 10 and 20 meters. In areas with some ground cover, cruciform pattern shovel testing was used to examine subsurface conditions and to determine boundaries. A total of 157 sites were identified. All of these sites have been slightly to severely damaged by erosion, and as a result, 146 are recommended as not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. No eligibility recommendation was made for one site due to inaccessibility. The remaining 10 sites are recommended as potentially eligible.     Of the 157 sites there were 95 undiagnostic lithic scatters, 13 Late Paleoindian/Early Archaic, 9 Middle Archaic, 19 Late Archaic, 8 Early Woodland, 12 Middle Woodland, 10 Late Woodland, 9 Mississippian, 4 Qualla phase, and 45 Historic components.