An Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Embry Farms Sand Operation, Chattahoochee River, Fulton County, Georgia

On March 29, 1987 an archaeological survey was conducted of the proposed Embry Farms Sand Operation along the Chattahoochee River in Fulton County. The proposed site is in Land Lot #F55 and is located directly across the river from the Gwinnett County Pumping Station at the river’s confluence with Suwanee Creek (Figure 1). As proposed the sand operation would occupy an approximate 4.9 acre tract on the northwest floodplain of the river. The tract is right-triangular in shape with the hypotenuse/long side running parallel to and about 170 feet from the river. The side lengths are 1087 x 999 x 430 feet (Figure 2). Within this area would be located the plant/conveyor, sand stockpiles, a debris pile, office, scales, haul road and four settlement ponds. Sand would be conveyed from the river to the plant by way of a 10 inch diameter above-ground pipe which would run from a dredge in the river. The dredge would have a 2362 linear foot operating range within the river. Water would be returned to the river by way of an existing wet weather stream (Figure 2). The only aspect of the operation which would require subsurface disturbance is the four settlement ponds which would total .275 acre or about five percent of the entire survey area.

Topographically the plant would sit upon a slight, but extensive, terrace (about three to five feet high: 900 Feet AMSL) which is separated from the river by a swale and natural levee rising about 15 to 20 feet above the river. A field road runs along the levee crest which is dotted with numerous low land hardwoods and an occasion pine. The terrace and most of the swa1e is in pasture and has been so for the 1ast ten to fifteen years. Prior to this time the area was cultivated, presumably continuously; well back into the 19th century. Soil is Congaree Fine Sand loam and is characterized by a dark yellowish-brown friable sand profile. The soil, with a slope of zero-to-two percent, is well drained and fertile and is suited for the cultivation of a number of crops as well as pasture. Erosion is minimal (Walker, Miller, Green, and Wells 1958:18). The area was once subjected to periodic flooding, but the completion of Buford Dam in the mid-1950s has eliminated this natural process.