Archaeological Investigations and Monitoring Installation of Cattle Feeding and Watering Facility Hardman Farm, White County

Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently acquired a tract of land near Helen in White County that includes the Hardman Farm house and outbuildings and pastures along the Chattahoochee (Figure 1). Nacoochee Mound, a prominent landmark in the National Register listed Nacoochee Valley Historic District, is located on the property. In order to most economically maintain the pastoral setting for which the valley is known, DNR permits a herd of cattle to graze in the fields along the river, as was the tradition prior to DNR acquisition. Currently, the herd drinks directly from a small stream near the highway. The stream runs through the farm complex and crosses the road through a culvert; then it makes a sharp turn toward the east. Rock and red clay soil were brought into the area at some time in the past in an effort to prevent the stream from spilling out of the sharp bend and into the field during periods of high flow. Mr. Stanley London, who runs cattle on the property and is installing the feeding/watering facility, noted that the stream had been channelized, and is not following its natural course. This is likely, as earlier DNR investigations within the farm complex determined that the stream had been altered in that area. Differences noted in shovel test profiles during the current investigation may relate to stream modification. There are also at least two catch basins located in the fields near the river (Figure 2). Mr. London stated that there are drain tiles running from the basins. The extent of these drainage features is not known, but it is likely that they served to get standing water out of low areas of the field and back into the river. In the interest of improving water quality and protecting the stream banks along the small stream that runs through the field, DNR proposes construction of cattle feeding and watering facilities in the fields and placement of fencing that will exclude the herds from the stream. The facility will consist of precast concrete troughs placed on two 4" thick concrete pads. The pads will be 12' x 270'. They will be placed on either side of an existing fence that is ca. 400' east of the Indian mound. The surface of the pads will be flush with the natural ground surface. Ground preparation will require only a shallow disturbance to accommodate the 4" pad; there will be no underlying gravel. A water line will supply the drinkers from a source near the Hardman house. The water line installation was monitored by the Office of the State Archaeologist in March 2005; no sites were encountered.