ML20098G739
| ML20098G739 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vogtle  |
| Issue date: | 10/05/1975 |
| From: | Bozeman J GEORGIA SOUTHERN COLLEGE, STATESBORO, GA |
| To: | |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8410050419 | |
| Download: ML20098G739 (10) | |
Text
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7![i!7f 1975 EBENEZER CREEK SWAMP Effingham County l
CX 500050186 John R. Bozeman, Ph.D.
Evaluator l
Department of Biology Georgia So'ithern College Statesboro, Georgia 30458
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1 EBENEZER CREEK SWAMP GENERAL BACKGROUND Evaluator: John R. Bozeman, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, Department of Biology, Georgia Southern College, Statesboro, Georgia 30458.
(912) 681-5494.
Theme Source: Survey of Natural Areas of the Atlantic Coastal Plain -
Ecological Themes. Center for Natural Areas, Office of International and Environmental Programs, Smithsonian Institution. Vols I-II, p.
194-280 (p. 227-229).
Information Sources: Dr. Charles II. Wharton Department of Biology Georgia State University 33 Gilmer Street, S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303 (404) 658-3100 or (2260)
Mr. Herschel L. Paulk, Soil Scientist USDA-Soil Conservation Service Regional Office Statesboro, Georgia 30458 (912) 764-5449 Mr. David Bozeman, Soil Conservationist USDA-Soil Conservation Service Treutlen Building Springfield, Georgia 31329 Mr. A. E. (Ed) Norton, Tax Assessor Ms. Sheila Saxon, Clerk Tax Assessors Office P. O. Box 307 Springfield, Georgia 31329 (912) 754-3027 Collaborator: Dr. Bill P. Lovejoy, Associate Professor of Biology, Department of Biology, Georgia Southern College, Statesboro, Georgia 30458.
(912) 681-5497.
Visits: July 9-10, 1975. Float trip July 9; aerial reconnaissance July 10.
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Other Names for Site: None for creek swamp. Ebenezer (Creek) Church and settlement are historical sites of early Salzburger Colony. llistorical Salzburger Museum located at church site, now known as Evangelical Luth-cran Congregation, c/o Rev. F. R. Ifelmey, Route 1, Clyo, Georgia 31303.
LOCATION Political: Georgia, East-centra!. section of Effingham County; East-Southeast' of Springfield.
Directions: East-Southeast from Springfield on State Road # S1131 ca. four (4) miles to Stillwell Community, South from Stillwell on S953 road cn.
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~1.5 miles to Ebenezer Creek. Also accessible-via Georgia Highway 275 Southeast _ of Springfield to Ebenezer Landing on the Savannah River.
Mouth of Creek just north of landing. Creek accessible by several private roads.
Lat.'6'Long. Coordinates: 320 21'-23' North; '110 11'-14' West'.
USGS Quadrangle
Reference:
Rincont Georgia and Hardeville NW, S.C., 7.5 minute topographic. SavannahiGeorgia, 1:250,000.
SIZE s
Acreage: Approximately 2,5G0 acres, or four (4) square miles. Area approx-
.imately 0.4 mile wide and five (5) miles long.
BOUNDARIES Site recommended extends from State Road S953 on the west boundary to the Savannah River on the east boundary.- The 15' elevation line delimits the deep-water swamp boundary of Ebenezer Creek (Map #1). \\
is Maps: Map #1 is a coph of 7.5 minute series (topographic). Map,#2 locates area on Effingham County General Highway Map. Map #3 represents a re-plication of the soil field worksheets for Effingham County, based upon USDA-SCS flight 3-3-1949, sheet nos. BQG-1F-36, 38, and 68. Map #4 represents the land ownership boundaries aloiig E5enezer creek, prepared from Tax Office, aerial photographic sheet numbers 6,18,19, and 26-28, dated 1968. New property maps, which were unavailable at time of eval-uation, are numbers 107, 118, 119, and 128.
i OWNERSHIP:
Private: (l'rincipal owners with land adjacent to Ebenezer Creek,-see Map #4).
Tract Owner Total Acr'eage-i
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1 Mrs. Pauline G. Seckinger, et al.
818 2
Laura Fail 35
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2A Charles Exley 22 8
T. 0. Long 1,432 l
-12 J. W. Tebeau Estate 103 g
j 13 Lee H. G Wm. Morgan Lancaster 80 i f' 14 M. H. Rahn 80 i
15 Mrs. Mary Hutto 176 16 H. C. Gnann 87 17 Effie C. Williams 98 18 Ola M. Kessler, et al.
80 19 Emma Lancaster 86 20 Carolyn G Allen Kieffer 153 21 Alvin O. Gnann-60 l.
22 Shearouse & Marchman 25 23 James J. 6-Jose Heagarty 97 24 Olive G. Griffin, et al.
159 25 E. A. Gnann 193 26 Miriam Gnann 86 27
'W. S. Gnann 57 28 Cecil Gnann 65 l
29 A. O. Gnann (Alvin) 217
'33 Jack E. Ramsey 260 l.
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3 Maps / Plats-Ownership Boundaries: See Map #4, CORRESPONDENTS Principai Owners: The seven (7) largest creek swamp tracts are numbers 1, 8, 12, 20, 24, 29, and 33. Correspondence concerning the registration of tracts should be directed to the following persons:
Tract 1 Mrs. Pauline G. Seckinger Springfield, Ga. 31329 Charles F. Gnann Route 2 Springfield, Ga. 31329 Tract 8 Mr. T. O. Long Long Acres Route 1 Rincon, Ga. 31326 Tract 12 J. W. Tebeau Estate c/o Mr. Troy P. Tebeau Springfield, Ga. 31329 Tract.20 Carolyn 6 Allen Kieffer Route 1, Box 258 Springfield, Ga. 31329 Tract 24 Mr. Olive G. Griffin 1290 LaVista Rd., N.E.
Atlanta, Ga.
Tract 29 Mr. A. O. (Alvin) Gnann 8 Varnedo Ave.
Garden City, Ga. 31408 Tract 33 Mr. Jack E. Ramsey Route 1, Box 127 Guyton, Ga.
Other Tracts as follows:
Tract 2 Ms. Laura Fail c/o Gordon F. Fail P. O. Box 132 Rincon, Ga. 31326 Tract 2A Mr. Charles M. Exley 90 Varnedoe Ave.
Garden City, Ga. 31408 Tract 13 Lee H. G William Morgan Lancaster c/o W. K. Lancaster Route 1 Rincon, Ga. 31326
4 Tract 14 Mr. M. H. Rahn P. O. Box 51 Springfield, Ga. 31329 Tract 15 Mrs. Mary Hutto P. O. Box 89 Stillwell, Ga. 31330 Tract 16 Mr. H. (Herbert) C. Gnann P. O. Box 34 Springfield, Ga. 31329 Tract'17 Mrs. Effie C. Williams 73 S. Wren N New Orleans, La.
Tract 18 Ms. Ola M. (G.) Kessler 8 Varnedo Ave.
Garden City, Ga. 31408' Tract.19 Ms. Emma V. Lancaster c/o W. R. Lancaster Route 1 Rincon, Ga. 31326 Tract 21.
Mr. Alvin O. Gnann 8 Varnedo Ave.
Garden City, Ga. 31408 Tract 23 James J. 4 Jose' (Josephine) Heagarty Route 1, Box 151 Clyo, Ga. 31303 Tract 25 Mr. E. A. Gnann
'P. O. Box 85 Stillwell, Ga. 31330 Tract 26 Ms. Miriam Gnann 931 Princeton St.
Columbia, S.-C.
Tract 27 Mr. W. S. (Sidney) Gnann P. O. Box 3193 Columbia, S. C.
Tract 28 Mr. Cecil B. Gnann, Sr.
P. O. Box 78 Stillwell, Ga. 31330
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LAND USE AND INTEGRITY
-Past 6 Present Use: The upland soils surrounding Ebenezer Creek are used for row-crop cultivation, pasture and timber production. Very little selective logging has occurred in the deepwater Cypress-Gum forest. Occasional stumps of Bald Cypress were observed on the lower five-mile reach of creek swamp.
Ebenezer Creek Swamp is utilized primarily for recreational fishing and boating.
Limited areas have built up week-end cottages. Three such subdivisions occur on the south bank, these are the Half Moon, High Bluff and Fail subdivisions. These subdivisions occur on bluffs overlooking the creek. The majority of the creek swamp is natural and undisturbed.
Future Use: The construction of additional cottages can be anticipated on the north bank. There are three to four high areas with access by pri-vr.te roads on the north side.
THPIATS TO THE AREA Existing: Existing threats to the area are improper solid waste (garbage and trash) disposal and probable seepage of sewage from cottages along
-the creek bank. Many of the cottages (shacks) are aesthetically dis-pleasing.
Potential: Additional construction as outlined above will distract from the natural beauty of the area. Logging would destroy the aesthetic values of the swamp.
DESCRIPTION OF NATURAL VALUES' General Character: Ebenezer Creek is a black-water coastal stream that drains the northeastern quarter of Effingham County. The upper watershed in-cludes Devils Branch, Runs Branch and Turkey Branch as the principal tri-butaries. The vegetational cover of the central and upper sections are typical for this type of coastal stream. The lower section of Ebenezer Creek is unique in its physical and biological features. Since the last Pleistocene inundation, Ebenezer Creek has eroded the south or right bank of the Savannah river to form a broad-flattened basin overlying residual clays. This basin is topographically uniform in elevation (1S feet above mean sea level) with the Savannah River floodplain for the last 4-S miles above its junction with the Savannah River. The Savannah River acts as a
" water-dem" or " slack-water-dam" on Ebenezer Creek. Any fluctuations, such as normal winter flooding or tidal backwater, in the water level of the Savannah River directly influences the water level in Ebenezer Creek.
The winter flood waters from the Savannah River inundate Ebenezer Creek and raise the water level by 4-S feet, as indicated by the water-marks on the bases of tree-trunks throughout. Additional sediments of a less acidic nature are transported into Ebenezer Creek from the Savannah River.
It is for thi s reason, and because of an abundant source of seed, that Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) and Tupelo Gum dominate the forest cover of the lower Ebenezer Creek Swamp.
Ebenezer Creek meanders through the creek basin forming a series of elongated lakes. Monospecific stands (forests) dominated by Bald Cy-press or Tupelo Gum, and mixed stands of both species occur along these
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6 lake perimeters. During the summer months the water color is very darkly stained, reminding the observer of lakes and sloughs in Okefenokee Swamp.
Specific Natural' Values: Near climax ferests of Bald Cypress-Tupelo Gum with extreme buttressing of stem bases.. Extended hydroperiods probably ac-count for the stunted nature of these trees. The creek swamp is believed to be an important spawning area for Stripad Bass. Two large specimens (greater than 10') of. the American Alligator were observed in the lakes.
Ecological / Geological Type Category:
Vegetative Subthemes 6 Phases Subtheme Phase E. Cypress-Gum Swamp Forest
- a. deepwater (Bald Cypress-Water Tupelo)
P. Aquatic Fauna
- a. rare, endangered or unique r
species of wildlife (American Alligator)
- c. seasonal concentrations (Striped Bass)
SIGNIFICANCE STATEMEffr Location: Savannah River basin in Southeast Georgia. East-central.section of Effingham County. Access by state roads at two points.
Vegetation Types / Unique Floral Components: Generally undisturbed section of creek swamp approximately five (5) miles in length. Mature deep-water phase of Cypress-Gum Swamp Forest in unique physical setting.
. Creek, natural lakes, and swamp forests have very high visual, photo-graphic, sad aesthetic. values.
Fauna: Lakes and ~ swamp provide habitat for American Alligator, River Otter, and Striped Bass. Birds-include Wood Duck, Pileated Woodpecker, Green L
Heron, Little Blue Heron, White Ibis, and Warblers - Farula, and Pro--
L thonotary.
Education /Research: High. educational /research potential. Creek suitable-for year-around canoeing.
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_ Comparison: This site is the-best remaining Cypress-Gum Forest in the
, Savannah River Basin. The physical relationship and interactions between the river and the creek are unique to this system. The evaluator knows of no other area with these exact qualities.
SIGNIFICANCE SOURCES Persons Consulted:.Dr. Charles H. Wharton i
Department of Biology Georgia State University 33 Gilmer St., SE Atlanta, Ga. 30303 (404) 658-3100 (-2260) j
5 -
7 Publications:
hhar'on, C. H.
1975. The Natural Environments of Georgia. A Special Report to the Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta, Georgia (unpublished manuscript).
PUBLICITY SENSITIVITY None REC 05NENDATION In my opinion, the site appears to be nationally significant and I recommend that it be designated a natural landmark.
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David D. Tho'mpson, Jr., Regional Director, Southeast Region
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,e-ENCLOSURES Maps:
- 2. General Highway Map, Effingham County,1970.
- 3. USDA-SCS, Soil Survey, field worksheets, 3/3/1949 aerial flight.
- 4. : Property Boundaries, corepiled from aerial photographic sheet numbers 6,18,19, and 26-28 (Tax Office).
Literature Cited:
- 1. Wharton, C. H.
197S. The Natural Environments of Georgia. A Special Report to the Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta, Georgia (unpublished manuscript).
Photographic Illustrations:
- 1. Eight ~(8) original color transparencies with origi:' 11 copy.
- 2. Eight (8) color prints (3h x S) with each copy of report.
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9 ee NATURAL LANDMARK BRIEF.
Site: Ebenezer Creek Swamp, Effingham County, Georgia.
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Description:==
Area consisting of approximately 2,500 acres, or four (4) square miles.
Lower five-mile reach of. coastal creek swamp that is frequently flooded by the Savannah River. Year-around flooding of creek swamp has resulted in extreme buttressing and possibly dwarf-ing of Bald' Cypress-Tupelo forests.
Principal Ownership: Multiple private ownership consisting of approxi-mately 30 tracts of land.
Proposed by: Survey of Natural Areas of the Atlantic Coastal Plain -
Ecological Themes. Center for Natural Areas, Office of Inter-national 6 Environmental Programs, Smithsonian Institution. Vols.
I-II, p.194-280 (p.227-229).
Significance: Possibly the best remaining Bald Cypress-Tupelo Gum Forest
'n the Savannah River Basin. Climax deep-water phase of Cypress-Tupelo. Creek forms a series of lakes which provide year-around habitat for American Alligator and breeding nrea for Striped Bass.
Numerous bird species utilize habitat. All aquatic systems have high visual, photographic, and aesthetic values.
Land Use: Limited areas used.for week-end cottages. Primary use is for sport fishing and recreational boating (not high-speed boats).
Dangers to the Integrity of the Area: Pollution from human sewage and solid waste as additional cottages are located along creek. Pos-sibly the logging of forest.
Special Conditions: None.
Studied by:
- John R. Bozeman, Ph.D., Evaluator,
' Associate Professor of Biology (912) 681-5494 Bill P. Lovejoy, Ph.D., Collaborator, l
Associate Professor of Biology
-(912) 681-5497-7-
Georgia Southern College
.Statesboro, Georgia 30458
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