The Savannah District Army Corps of Engineers is proposing the widening of the Savannah River Harbor by 125 feet along a 5.6 mile section of Hutchinson Island. These modifications extend from Kings Island Turning Basin to Fig Island Turning Basin. Also proposed are 13 locations as potential disposal areas (Fig. 1).
In order to maintain ship channels in the face of heavy sedimentation, Savannah Harbor has been continuously dredged from 1840 to the present. Old rice fields and low marshy ground immediately surrounding Savannah were used as disposal areas up until 1960, after which time the dredged material was deposited in areas further upstream. Recently however, areas in the immediate Savannah vicinity are being reconsidered as potential disposal sites (Mickey Fountain, personal communications). Previous efforts to alleviate the sediment problems have been to construct a sediment basin and tidegate structure on the Back River and to construct a freshwater diversion system for the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge and adjacent areas (Ferguson 1973: 1). The purpose of this construction was to divert the sediment coming from upstream to the Back River, where more adequate disposal sites are located (Ferguson 1973: 1).
Help us to continue to make advances in research, stewardship, and bringing the past to life. No matter the size of the gift, your contribution will directly support groundbreaking archaeological research through sustaining student and outreach programs, and technological innovations. To make a secure gift online to the Archaeology Lab Fund, CLICK HERE.