Cultural Resources Survey and Site Testing of Proposed Improvements for the Russell Creek Reservoir Dawson County, Georgia

Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. (SAS), contracted with Infratec Consultants, Inc. to conduct a Phase I cultural resources survey (archeology and historic structures) of the impact area for ground-disturbing activities associated with certain proposed improvements to the Russell Creek Reservoir project in Dawson County, Georgia. The proposed reservoir itself was archeologically surveyed in 2005. The current project consists of areas not surveyed in 2005 and includes the proposed dam construction zone on Russell Creek (16 ac), several adjoining potential borrow pit sites (25.6 ac), a 50-ft wide pipeline corridor next to Russell Creek from the proposed dam to the Etowah River (about 1,450 m or 0.9 mile) and a proposed pumping station site adjacent to the Etowah River (9.11 ac). SAS surveyed the project area during parts of January, March and April 2009 and recorded seven archeological sites, three archeological occurrences (Table 1) and one historic property with structures. Four of six sites with prehistoric components had ceramics. One site was an early twentieth century farmstead. Among sites and occurrences, prehistoric components include unidentified lithic (n=3), unidentified ceramic (Wood/Miss) (n=3), Early Archaic (n=1), Early-Middle Woodland (n=1) and Middle Woodland (n=1). In addition to Phase I survey investigation, Phase II testing investigation was conducted on prehistoric site 9DW253. Though these sites have some importance for regional archeological studies, no sites were recognized as significant in regard to additional archeological research. Thus, we recommend that none of the seven archeological sites are eligible or potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Much of the project is to be constructed within property that was once the Palmour-RussellMcClure Plantation, which dates from the 1830s into the twentieth century. Today this farmstead contains about seven extant historic structures (including the main house), remains of about three more historic structures (including a grist mill), two non-historic structures, an historic cemetery and a portion of the original acreage. We recommend that the Palmour-Russell-McClure Plantation is eligible to the National Register of Historic Places at the State level of significance in the areas of agriculture and architecture. We conclude that the proposed project will not create an adverse effect to this historic property. The only element of the project that comes close to any of the structures is the proposed pipeline. This pipeline will cut through the two tail races of the mill, but will not affect the mill foundations or other components of the mill complex. Since the physical attributes of the tail races have been documented, we believe the destruction of a portion of them would be an effect, but not an adverse effect. The pipeline corridor will probably be visible from the standing, but uninhabitable Millers House, but only as a cleared corridor barely visible amid woods, and we believe this would not be an adverse effect. About 80 m of the uppermost portion of the head race will be affected by the dam construction, but only the uppermost 30 m will be obliterated by the dam footprint and this creates an effect. The historic dam was obliterated (perhaps covered) by the present, 1960s earthen dam, along with a short portion of the head race. We believe the loss of a portion of the head race would not be an adverse effect because most of the raceway will remain and the threatened portion has been documented. Thus, it is, our recommendation that the proposed dam, borrow pits, pipeline and pumping station will not adversely affect any historical properties (archeological sites or standing structures eligible for the National Register of Historic Places). It is our recommendation that the project be granted clearance to proceed.