Pahse I Cultural Resources Survey of Additional Floodpool and Associated Acreage for the Yahoola Creek Reservoir in Lumpkin County, Georgia

Between July 8-16, 2002 TRC conducted an archaeological survey and a historic structures survey in advance of construction of the Yahoola Creek Reservoir in Lumpkin County, Georgia. The study area consists of additional floodpool to be created by an increase of six feet in the height of the dam, approximately 350 acres adjacent to the planned reservoir that will contain recreational facilities, and a small wetlands mitigation tract approximately 2.5 miles northwest of the proposed reservoir. During the archaeological survey, TRC recorded seven archaeological sites and five isolated finds. The isolated finds were not recorded as archaeological sites and require no further work. Five sites (9LU100, 9LU101, 9LU102, 9LU103, 9LU106) contained exclusively prehistoric components, one site (9LU104) contained both prehistoric and historic components, and one site was exclusively historic (9LU105). Given its lack of integrity, additional archaeological investigations at the historic site (9LU1 05) are unlikely to yield significant information beyond that gleaned from the survey, and what can be learned from local informants and documentary research. The prehistoric sites were characterized by low artifact density and are indicative of ephemeral prehistoric use, rather than the type of intensive occupation that results in features. In the absence of intact cultural deposits, additional archaeological investigations at these sites are unlikely to yield significant information beyond that gleaned from the survey. Furthermore, all of the sites have been impacted by erosion. For these reasons, TRC does not consider any of the seven sites as potentially eligible for the NRHP, and recommends no further work at these sites. Similarly, none of the isolated finds warrant further investigation. The TRC survey for historic structures in the project Area of Potential Effects (APE), it was found that most of the structures present were trailer homes or other modem domestic or commercial properties. Only two twentieth-century properties were recorded in the APE during the survey: a well house, and a frame house. These inventoried properties, in the opinion of TRC, do not appear eligible for the NRHP. TRC does not recommend further evaluation of above ground properties within the project area and its APE.