A Cultural Resources Survey at the Bradley River Crossing Maneuver Area Fort Benning, Georgia & Al

On October 23, 1985, Mr. David L. McCullough, Archeologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, conducted a cultural resource survey at the Bradley River Crossing maneuver area, Fort Benning, Georgia and Alabama. The survey was conducted at the request of the Fort Benning Directorate of Engineering and Housing, Environmental Management Office in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended). The survey was conducted in advance of proposed vegetation clearing on each side of the Chattahoochee River. The Bradley River Crossing maneuver area is located on the Chattahoochee River at the site of the former 82nd Airborne Division Road pontoon bridge, approximately .4 miles north of the Eddy bridge (Figure 1). The pontoon bridge was removed and replaced by the Eddy bridge in 1965. The maneuver area is used in training troops in bridge construction and river crossing techniques. Towers will be erected on existing concrete pads in the areas to be cleared of vegetation, and a cable drawn between the towers will be used to anchor pontoon segments during bridge erection maneuvers. The proposed work is to occur in an area approximately 75 feet by 150 feet on each river bank. The work will be accomplished by light earth moving machinery. It is estimated that subsurface disturbance will occur to a depth of approximately 8-12 inches below surface. Several large hardwood trees, including their stumps, would need to be removed, requiring localized deep subsurface disturbance. No grading, contouring, or erosion control work will be necessary. On the east river bank, in Georgia, vegetation presently consists of sparse, relatively immature hardwoods with a dense understory of shrubs and grasses. Elevation ranges between 170 and 190 feet above mean sea level in the area to be cleared. At the immediate river bank, wave erosion has cut into the bank to form a steep vertical cut bank approximately 7 to 10 feet tall. Concrete rubble has been placed along the bank to control the erosion. On the west bank, the Alabama side, vegetation cover consists of a dense cover of Kudzu. Elevations in the area to be cleared range from 170 to 190 feet above mean sea level. The slope is regular from the low water level to the highest elevation to be cleared. A paved road directly adjacent to the project area approaches each river bank at a perpendicular angle. The roads originally functioned as approaches to the 82nd Airborne Division Road bridge, and now serve as boat ramps during military maneuvers.