The Georgia Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District is proposing to riprap portions of the Savannah River in Jasper County, South Carolina. In order to determine any effects of the proposed project on cultural resources in the area, Tidewater Atlantic Research, Inc. of Washington, North Carolina under subcontract to Gulf Engineers and Consultants, Inc., Baton Rouge, Louisiana was contracted to conduct a pedestrian, remote sensing, and shovel test survey of the areas to be disturbed. Also included in the proposed project was the testing and National Register evaluation of a previously recorded watercraft. That investigation was conducted in May 1993. Data generated by the low water cultural resources survey and remote sensing of the marsh tussocks identified no archaeological or historic sites that require additional investigation. With the exception of a small pontoon or dredge float, all material in the study areas proved to be modern debris. No additional investigation is recommended in conjunction with the proposed riprap construction. The investigation of the previously discovered vessel revealed the remains of a small vernacular craft dating to the late 19th to early 20th century. Because it preserves design and construction information related to a class of small craft important in coastal navigation, transportation, and fishing, recovery of the remaining data is recommended.
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