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DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEOItGIA
FRONTISPIECE PLAT',: I
CYIMJKSS FORKST IX TIIK OKKFIXOKEE SWAMP
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF GEORGIA
S. W. McCALLIE, State Geologist
DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS
OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS, U. S. DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE
C. G. ELLIOTT, Chief of Drainage Investigations
BULLETIN NO. 25
A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON
DRAINAGE RECLAMATION
IN
GEORGIA
The Drainage Situation In Georgia
BY
S. W. McCallie, State Geologist
AND
Drainage Examinations and Surveys in
Georgia
By U. S. Department of Agriculture
PRINTED BY
FOOTE A DAVIES CO
ATLANTA
THE ADVISORY BOARD
OF THE
Geological Survey of Georgia
in the Year 1911
(Ex-Officio)
His EXCELLENCY, JOSEPH M. BROWN, Governor of Georgia
PRESIDENT OF THE BOAED
HON. PHILIP COOK .Secretary of State
HON. J. P. BROTWN. State Treasurer
HON. W. A. WEIGHT Comptroller-General
HON. H. A. HALL. Attorney-General
HON. T. G. HUDSON" Commissioner of Agriculture
HON. M. L. BRITTAIN . . . Commissioner of Public Schools
223717
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF GEORGIA,
ATLANTA, June 15, 1911.
To His Excellency, JOSEPH M. BROWN, Governor, and President of
the Advisory Board of the Geological Survey of Georgia.
SIR : I have the honor to submit herewith a preliminary report on
Drainage Reclamation in Georgia by this department and Drainage
Examinations and Surveys in Georgia by the U. S. Department of Ag-
riculture, to be published as Bulletin No. 25 of this Survey.
Very respectfully yours,
S. W. MoCALLIE,
State Geologist.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Advisory Board 3
Letter of Transmittal 5
List of Illustrations 10
Drainage Conditions in Georgia 11-26
Swamp and overflow lands 11-26
Introductory 11
Swamp lands 11-12
Overflow lands 12-13
Wetlands 13
Salt marsh lands 13-14
Investigation of drainage conditions by the State 14-24
Introductory 14
Okefinokee Swamp survey 14-19
Survey of the Chickasawhatcb.ee Creek swamp 19-24
Federal Government 24
How the State would be benefitted by the drainage of
swamp and overflow lands 25-26
Drainage Examinations and Surveys in Georgia 27-98
Foreword 28-29
Bryan County, by J. V. Phillips 31-34
Location and description 30
Natural drainage channels and outlets 31
Typical area needing drainage 31-32
Drainage of the past 32
Present farming conditions 32-33
Conclusion 33
Chatham County, by J. V. Phillips 35-37
Location and description 35
Present drainage conditions 35-36
Opportunities 36-37
Clinch and Echols Counties, drainage conditions of the
Suwanoochee Creek Valley, by J. V. Phillips 39-41
Location and description 39
Farming, crops and soils 40
Transportation and roads : 40
Need of drainage 40-41
Glynn County, by F. G. Eason 43-47
Location and description 43
Natural drainage channels 43-44
Soil . 44
Page
Natural drainage conditions 44-45
Farming conditions and crops 45-46
Transportation facilities 46
Drainage plan proposed 46-47
Liberty County, by F. G. Eason 49-52
Location and description 49
Natural drainage channels 49-50
The drainage situation 50-51
Transportation 51
Conclusion 51-52
Mclntosh County, "by F. G. Eason 53-58
Location and drainage conditions 53-54
Natural drainage channels 54-55
Soil and farming conditions 55-56
Transportation 56
Outlook for drainage 57
Coast section of the county 57-58
Telfair County, by J. R. Haswell .59-69
Description 59
Farming conditions 60
Soil 60-61
Watersheds 62-63
Rainfall and run-off 63-66
Proposed improvements 66-68
Appendix — Bench marks 68-69
The proposed drainage improvement of McRae Branch,
Telfair County, by J. R. Haswell 71-81
Introduction 71
Geographical location and area 72
Natural drainage channels 72-73
Natural surface conditions 73
Crops and land values 73-74
Soil 74
Description of survey 74-75
Plan proposed for drainage improvement 75-79
Beneficial results 79-80
Estimate of cost 80
Data for main ditch 80
List of bench marks 81
Drainage plan for the Berry School Farm, by L. L.
Hidinger
The Berry School Farm '.['. 83-90
Introduction 33
Drainage 34
Surveys 84-85
Plans for improvement 85-86
8
Page
Cost of the improvement 86-87
General specifications for constructing tile drains 87-89
Digging the trenches 87
Grading the bottom 87
Laying the tile 87-88
Blinding the tile 88
The line method 88-89
Catch basins or inlets 89
Protection of outlets 89
Estimate of cost 89-90
Bench marks 90
The improvement of the Mulberry River, Jackson County,
by L. L. Hidinger 91-98
Location and description 91-92
The survey 92-93
Results of the survey 93-94
Plans and estimates 94-97
Estimate of cost 97
Recommendations 97-98
Bench marks 98
Proposed drainage law 99-188
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PLATES
I. Cypress forest in the Okeflnokee Swamp Frontispiece
II. Fig. 1. — Cultivated "Second Bottoms," west side of Opp. Page
Flint River, near Montezuma, Macon County 24
Fig. 2. — Pyles Marsh, at low tide, eleven miles north-
west of Brunswick, Glynn County 24
III. Fig. 1. — Maudin Swamp, Bryan County 32
Fig. 2. — Canoochee River, Bryan County 32
IV. Fig. 1. — Cross Swamp, near Clyde, Bryan County.
Typical of the gum swamps of this section as to
size of trees 36
Fig. 2. — Typical low-lying flat woods, near Clyde,
Bryan 'County, showing the effects of the forest
fires which often follow in the wake of the timber
and turpentine operations 36
. Fig. 1. — Bridge over Gum Swamp Creek, Telfair
County, one mile northeast of McRae — Old bridge
at right 48
Fig. 2. — Gum Swamp Creek, near McRae, Telfair
County, looking up stream from bridge on one of
the four channels 48
VI. Fig. 1. — Cultivated lands at edge of flat woods,
McRae Branch, Telfair County — Branch at extreme
right, Ocmulgee Valley in background 80
Fig. 2. — Mulberry River bordering the A. N. Smith
farm, Jackson County, showing narrow straight
section of the stream 80
VII. Fig. 1. — Mulberry River, A. N. Smith farm, Jackson
County, showing formation of sand bar at bend of
stream 96
Fig. 2. — Farm house on hill land bordering the Mul-
berry River, Jackson County 96
MAPS
1. Map of the Okefinokee Swamp 16
2. Map of the Cnickasawhatchee Creek Swamp 20
3. Map of Telfair County 64
4. Map of McRae Valley, Telfair County 76
5. Map of lower portion of Mulberry River, Jackson
County c\2
10
DRAINAGE CONDITIONS IN GEORGIA
SWAMP AND OVERFLOW LANDS
S. W. McCALLIE
INTRODUCTORY
With the exception of Florida, Georgia has the greatest area of
swamp and overflow lands of any of the Atlantic seaboard states, from
Maine to the Gulf of Mexico. The extent of Georgia's swamp lands,
as given by Mr. C. G. Elliott, chief of Drainage Investigations, Office
of Experiment Stations, U. S. Department of Agriculture, aggregates
2,700,000 acres, which is approximately one-fourteenth of the area
of the entire state. The largest individual area of swamp land in
the state, and one of the most extensive fresh water swamps in this
country, is the Okefinokee Swamp, which comprises an area of
about 500,000 acres. A large part of this swamp originally belonged
to the state, but it was sold by an act of the legislature in 1890 to a
private corporation for 26% cents per acre. Some idea may be had
of the extent of the state's swamp and overflow lands when it is
stated that they exceed in area more than one-third of Holland,
which country supports a population greater than twice Georgia's
population, as shown by the census of 1910.
The swamp and overflow lands of Georgia may be divided, for
convenience of description, into the following divisions : swamp lands,
overflow lands, wet lands and salt-marsh lands.
SWAMP LANDS
The term swamp lands, as here used, embraces those lands that are
covered with standing water throughout all, or a greater part, of the
year, and in which water-loving plants generally grow in greater or
11
12 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
less profusion. Lands of this character are most often met with in
the southern part of the state where the surface of the country is
usually flat and the streams are sluggish and have but little fall. To
this class of lands belong the innumerable small cypress swamps of
South Georgia as well as the great Okefinokee Swamp with its
hundreds of thousands of acres. Some of these swamps seem to owe
their origin to original depression left by the water of the receding
ocean, others are poorly drained, shallow valleys of erosion along
the streams, and still others are irregular depressed areas caused
by the solution of the underlying limestones. The various aspects of
the swamps are dependent chiefly upon the character of the vegetation
which they produce and this, in turn, is dependent, in a large
measure, on the depth of the water. Where the water has a depth
of only a few feet, often the bulk of the vegetation consists of aquatic
plants, such as bog-mosses, water lilies, etc., which give to the swamp
an appearance of a treeless prairie. In the shallow water such trees
as the cypress often grow to large size, forming, with vines and
undergrowth, a dense forest. Invariably, these swamp lands are
covered to the depth of one or more feet with impure vegetable matter
in the form of dark-colored muck or peaty material which would, no
doubt, add considerably to the fertility of such lands in case they
were properly drained.
OVERFLOW LANDS
Overflow lands are the low lands along streams which become
covered with water during floods. They always form shallow valleys
and are the direct result of stream erosion. Overflow lands are
met with in all parts of the state, but are especially abundant in
South Georgia where the geological conditions are exceptionally
favorable for the formation of wide flood-plains. Streams, when
swollen by heavy rainfall, spread out over their flood-plains and
deposit mud and sand more or less mixed with vegetable matter,
which usually form remarkable fertile soils. This class of lands in
the state is undoubtedly increasing in extent, due, in part, to the
SWAMP AND OVERFLOW LANDS 13
increasing frequency of floods brought about by cutting away the
forests, but more largely due, perhaps, to the overloaded condition
of the streams which causes the filling and the clogging of the
channels by the accumulation of sands washed from unterraced
upland fields. Another condition which has a tendency to augment
the area of overflow lands, especially on small streams, is the accu^
mulation of logs and drift-wood in the channels. In the last named
instance the overflow conditions can often be effectually overcome
by removing these obstructions, and by the cutting away of the cane,
willows and other small growth which often rapidly encroach upon
and obstruct waterways.
WET LANDS
Wet lands, as used in the above classification, include those lands
which usually lie at a higher elevation than the swamp land, but are
so poorly drained that during an excessively rainy season they pro-
duce little or no crops by reason of the excessive moisture of the soil.
The uncertainty of crops from this class of lands is often too
hazardous to warrant the expense of preparation and planting.
During dry seasons they generally produce excellent crops, but
should the growing season prove to be too wet the crop is often a
complete failure. Wet lands are almost invariably level, the slope
of the surface being insufficient to allow the water to escape by
run-off. Furthermore, these lands are often underlain by impervious
subsoil which retards, to some extent, the flow of the water by down-
ward seepage. Wet lands are widely distributed throughout the
state, but they are especially abundant near the coast and in the wire-
grass section where the surface is nearly level and where there is
but little variation in the topography. Such wet lands as here
referred to are usually quite readily recognized by their growth of
gallberry bushes, short-stemmed palmetto and stunted long-leaf pines.
SALT MARSH LANDS
Salt marsh lands are low mud flats and marsh grass lands along
the coast between low and high tide. They are usually covered twice
14 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
daily by the tide and as a consequence they can only be reclaimed
for agricultural purposes by the construction of dikes. These lands,
built up, as they are, by fine silts and clays brought down by the
inland streams, invariably carry ample plant food for the production
of luxuriant crops. Salt marsh lands form many thousand acres
fringing the sea islands and the adjacent main land from Savannah
to St. Mary's.
INVESTIGATION OF DRAINAGE CONDITIONS BY THE STATE
INTRODUCTORY
As far as the writer has been able to ascertain, all of the drainage
investigations by the state, so far, have been carried on by the State
Geological Survey, with the exception of Col. R. L. Hunter's survey
of the Okefinokee Swamp, made in 185G-7 during the administra-
tion of Governor H. V. Johnson, with a view of ascertaining the
practicability of its drainage, the cost of the same, etc.
OKEFINOKEE SWAMP SURVEY
Dr. George Little, former State Geologist, in speaking of this
survey and a subsequent survey of the swamp, says :'
"The Hunter survey began on December 3, 1856, and ended April
3, 1857, and was conducted with the assistance of M. B. Grant and
C. M. Forsyth, and cost $3,260, including partial pay of the engineer
in charge. There was furnished to the Governor a map of the swamp,
with the elevation around the whole swamp and lines of ditches,
which it was estimated would drain the swamp at a cost of $1,067,250.
This map was lost during the war, and it is only due to the enter-
prise of Colonel E. Y. Clarke, editor of The Atlanta Constitution
that a copy of Colonel Hunter's report has been hunted up and pre-
served, which, with verbal information furnished by Colonel Hunter
himself, has materially aided the preparation of a map of the swamp.
"On November 4, 1875, by direction of Governor J. M. Smith,
1Dr. Little's report, as here given, was originally published in Hand-book of
Georgia by T. P. Janes, Commissioner of Agriculture.
SWAMP AND OVERFLOW LANDS 15
the party of the Geological Survey operating in Southern Georgia
joined The 'Constitution Expedition/ organized by the proprietors
of the paper of that name in Atlanta, and remained until December
14th. A line of levels was run by Mr. C. A. Locke, engineer of the
'survey,' from Mixon's Ferry on Suwanee River to Trader's Hill on
Sr. Mary's, showing the following elevations referred to ebb tide:
Feet
Trader's Hill, on St. Mary's River
Water surface at Mixon's Ferry 107.306
Bench B, in pocket 122.097
D, " 120.373
p, «• 121.26*
Swamp between pocket and Jones' Island 116.517
Jones' Island 121.401
Swamp between Jones' Island and Billy's Island 116.416
Billy's Island 118.009
Swamp E of Billy's Island 118.995
Camp Lee, Billy's Island 125.637
Billy's Lake, water surface 115.991
Swamp E of Billy's Island 118,995
Two miles from Billy's Island on Little Trail 119.326
Prairie West, side-water surface 121.241
Roddenberry's house, east side 153.351
Long Branch, two miles from Roddenberry's house 55.092
Trader's Hill 79.045
Water surface, St. Mary's River 5.000
"A map was prepared by Mr. M. T. Singleton, Assistant Engineer
of the Geological Survey, which is here reproduced, showing the
location of this line, as well as of other lines run by the compass
and measured through the swamp by Mr. Locke and Mr. Pendleton,
from Black Jack Island in the Southern portion to Honey Island
south of Billy's Island; then to Billy's Island (called Pendleton's
trail, from Mr. Charles Pendleton, of ^7raldosta, who accompanied
the party) ; thence to Floyd's Island northeast ; and thence northwest
to Hickory Hammock, near the northern border, by Mr. Singleton
and Mr. Loughridge, called Haines' trail, from Mr. George Haines,
of Jesup, who furnished the laborers who cut out the way.
"The line of levels which was run around the whole swamp, and
connected with the water in the St. Mary's River near Trader's Hill.
16 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
furnishes the following information in regard to the elevation of
the surface at different points :
"The highest part of the swamp is its northern extremity, where
it is 126% feet above tidewater. Coming south, in six miles it
descends five feet, and then in thirteen miles from the last point it
descends only one and a half feet on the east side, it being at that
point (Mr. Mattox's) 120 feet above tidewater; while at an opposite
point on the west side (the mouth of Surveyor's Creek) it is only
1161/2 feet.
"A nearly uniform descent continues from Mr. Mattox's to the
southeast corner of the swamp, where the elevation is 116% feet,
while near Ellicott's Mound, where the branch of the St. Mary's
runs out of the swamp, it is only 111% feet.
"From the mouth of Surveyor's Creek to the extreme western
angle of the swamp, it falls scarcely any, but on turning eastward
toward the Suwanee River it gradually descends, and where that
stream comes out of the swamp it is only about 110% feet above
tide. At the northeast point of the Pocket it is 114% feet. From
that point it falls toward the place where Cypress Creek runs out,
where it rises to 118% feet when half way to the St. Mary's and
gradually falls again to it."
In conclusion, Dr. Little says: "A partial survey shows that
there would be no engineering difficulty in draining the whole swamp
perfectly and rendering available the enormous amount of cypress
timber as well as thousands of tons of muck, which, with the aid
of the Satilla marls, would convert the sandy as well as the red clay
lands in the border into market gardens."
In addition to the surveys above given, Dr. Little makes the
following notes on the general character of the swamp:
"A considerable area in the swamp bears cypress trees, which are
nowhere excelled in size, one of which would yield thousands of
shingles; and there is the pine and the white and red bays. The
last of these take a fine polish, and would apparently be valuable
for furniture and cabinet making. The islands in the swamp — Floyd's,
SWAMP AND OVERFLOW LANDS 17
Billy's, Honey and Black Jack — are covered with pine and palmetto
on their higher portions, where the soil is white and sandy, but still
produces a luxuriant growth of long, tender grass, on which deer
and wild cattle keep fat the year round.
"On the borders of these islands there is a low hammock land
which sustains a vigorous growth of magnolia, oak, etc., in a rich
sandy soil. Outside of this are dense thickets of small shrubs,
almost impenetrable, except where wildcats and bears have made
their trails; and beyond these thickets, which sometimes give place
to a perfect mat of bamboo briars ten feet high, many of them an
inch in diameter and armed with thorns which stick like daggers,
we find an open marsh filled with long rushes and water lilies, whose
thick roots afford the only support for the feet in wading through
the soft ooze and mud, which yields to the weight of a man, so
that he sinks to the arm pits in many places. Many small islands
and clumps of trees dot these "prairies," as they are called; and
these are generally surrounded by a floor of moss, which is sometimes
firm enough to hold one's weight, and again forms a floating surface
over the water ; and while it does not break through beneath the feet,
one can see it sink and rise for 10 or 20 feet around at every step;
hence its name — Oke-fi-no-kee, or Trembling Earth. The Casino,
Holly, etc., are the principal trees. In some portions live oak is
found on drier spots.
"In the prairies are many open holes, free from vegetation and
several feet in depth ; and in these are found alligators, sometimes
10 to 12 feet in length, while otters are more numerous along the
streams which connect the main open prairies with Billy's Lake
and the Suwanee River. This lake is about four miles in length,
from 100 to 300 feet in width, and from four to eight feet in
depth, perfectly clear (at the time of our visit in November) and
abounding in the finest trout and jack fish, which even spring into
the boat at night when a light is carried. In summer, hundreds of
alligators may be seen sporting their unwieldy forms, while ducks
and other water fowl are found in the greatest numbers. Just at
18 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
dusk, white herons may be seen settling in the trees on the banks of
the small lakes, until they look like a solid white wall. Occasionally
a goose is heard, uttering its melancholy croak as he flaps his broad
wings just out of reach of the hunter's shot. A few squirrels are
seen in the more open woods on the islands, while owls make the
night hideous with their hooting. Some large moccasins are found
in the morass."
In 1889, the Okefinokee Swamp, or that part of it owned by the
state of Georgia, comprising an area of 380 square miles, was pur-
chased by the Suwanee Canal Company at 2Qy2 cents per acre.
The object of this company in acquiring the swamp was, first, to
utilize the timber which was known to exist therein in large quanti-
ties, and subsequently to drain the swamp and use the lands for
agricultural purposes. With these objects in view, the canal com-
pany began, in September, 1891, the construction of a canal from
St. Mary's River to the swamp, a distance of about six miles. Later
this canal, which was 45 feet wide and six feet deep, was continued
into the swamp for something like 12 miles. The canal was first to>
be utilized in getting the timber out of the swamp and thereafter
it was to serve as the main drainage channel in draining the swamp.
The Suwanee Canal Company, under the presidency of Captain
Henry Jackson, of Atlanta, was successful in winning a large amount
of cypress and other timber from the eastern side of the swamp, but
operations were discontinued before the canal was sufficiently com-
pleted to have but little effect in draining the swamp as a whole.
The large holdings of the Suwanee Canal Company have, within
the last two or three years, been acquired by the Hebard Lumber
Company, which is at present engaged in cutting and preparing for
market the timber in the large cypress forest on the northwestern
margin of the swamp.
For more complete information on the Okefinokee Swamp, the
reader is referred to the following publications : William Bartram's
Travels, published in 1791 ; Georgia, Her Resources and Possibili-
ties, published by the Agricultural Department of Georgia in 1896,.
SWAMP AND OVERFLOW LANDS 19
and Okefinokee Swamp, by K. M. Harper, Popular Science Monthly,
June, 1909.
SURVEY OF THE CHICKASAWHATCHEE GREEK SWAMP
Subsequent to the Little survey of the Okefinokee Swamp above
referred to, no action was apparently taken by the State looking to the
reclamation of the swamp lands until 1894, when the following
amendment to the law establishing the Geological Survey was enacted :
"It shall also be the duty of said State Geologist to make a survey
of the water-courses, ponds, lakes and swamp region of Georgia, and
submit, in the report provided for, a topographical map showing
the location, extent, means and plans of drainage, and also ai>
estimate of the cost of said drainage of the ponds, lakes and swamps
of Georgia. The said State Geologist shall also make estimate of
the value and extent of the lands to be reclaimed by said drainage.
The State Geologist is hereby authorized to employ two competent
topographers and four assistant topographers and two drivers, as
may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this chapter."
As the General Assembly failed to make the necessary appropria-
tion for the payment of topographers, assistant topographers, etc.,
named in this amendment, no money was available to carry out the
provisions of the law; but, nevertheless, a limited amount of work
was done in Calhoun and adjoining counties under D. Lee Ward-
roper, chief topographer, with the hope that the next legislature
would vote the necessary appropriation to continue the work. The
Chickasawhatchee Creek, with its water-basin, was selected by Mr.
Wardroper as the base of operations; and a period of nearly three
months was devoted to field work. The surveying party under Mr,
Wardroper began operations on April 17, 1895, and continued in
the field until July 10, when the party was disbanded at Dawson,
Terrell County.
The object of this survey was to obtain data for a topographical
map and to ascertain whether or not the swamp lands of Southwest
Georgia could be drained.
20 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
In view of the limited amount of money at the disposal of the
State Geologist for this survey, it was considered advisable to confine
the operations of the topographical party to the survey of the Chicka-
sawhatchee Creek and the water-shed tributary thereto.
The Chickasawhatchee Creek rises in the central part of Terrell
County and flows in a southerly direction from its source to its
mouth. After passing the south line of Terrell County, it forms the.
boundary line between Calhoun and Dougherty counties, thence flow-
ing into Baker County, it empties into the Ichawaynochaway Creek.
The area surveyed within the outside lines during the field season
was one hundred and thirty and four tenths (130.4) square miles.
Of traverse control lines, two hundred and sixteen and two tenths
(216.2) linear miles were run, requiring the occupation by the
transit of 2,315 stations. Seventeen elevations per square mile were
taken and recorded, and the outlines of swamp within sight of the
different traverse control lines were sketched in the field note book%
As a base line, Mr. Wardroper used the north rail of the track of
the Central of Georgia Railway Company, "Blakely Extension."
His starting point, or the station "0" of the survey, was the western
extremity of the base line and may be described as follows:
The center of the north rail of the main track at the west end of the
Leary Turnout, and at the "toe" of the switch rail. He determined
the latitude of said station "0" to be approximately 31° 31' 30"
north; and azimuth of the base line to be 71° 44', counting from
the north point in direction similar to movements of hands of the
watch. The longitude of said station zero he computed from a large
official map of the United States.
The instruments and facilities at hand prevented Mr. Wardroper
from determining the absolute position of his starting point and base
line. His determination of the position of said point is sufficiently
accurate, however, for all present practical purposes. The "base
line" is a fixed and permanent one, and if in the future a geodetic
survey of the State be made, its position can be readily obtained
MAP OF CHICKASAWHATCHEE rKKKK s\VA.Ml'. I'.V I •. I.Ki: \v.\Kl >li« >1'KK
SWAMP AND OVERFLOW LANDS 21
absolutely, and the map that he made and the field notes that he took
can at all times be used, rendering totally unnecessary any resurvey
of the territory.
From the base line, and distributed over the entire territory sur-
veyed where they would be of the greatest use, over 2,200 points
were geometrically located. From these locations the positions of
all places and features of the surface were ascertained. These
geometrical locations constitute what are called traverse control lines.
The method used in carrying forward these lines was that which is
usually designated as "stadia" surveying. In this method, while
the horizontal angles, or the azimuth of lines, are measured in ordi-
nary methods of surveying, the horizontal distances are not measured
with chains, rods or tapes, but are calculated from certain spaces
on the stadia rods observed between two horizontal wires in the
telescope of the transit. This method is sufficiently accurate to be
used to establish the location of points, from one base line, over a
territory of 1,000 square miles. It is a rapid and an economical
method of making a topographical survey and is about four times
cheaper than the chain and transit method.
Relative elevations of all located points were taken and recorded.
They were taken either by direct levels or by vertical angles. All
the loops or polygons of levels closed (i. e. the work checked or was
proved) to within less than one half of a foot, except two. The
errors in these two are to be attributed to mistakes in reading the rod.
In one polygon the error was two feet and in the other three feet.
The polygons in which the errors occurred were outside ones and as
their interior sides formed sides of other polygons, whose levels
closed, these errors must have occurred in the outside lines and were
so corrected.
Mr. Wardroper, in speaking of the drainage condition, says that
the swamp lands of Southern Georgia, which cover a large portion of
the country, may be divided into two classes — namely, creek swamps
and pond swamps. Creek swamps in general are long and compara-
22 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
tively narrow and are bounded on the sides and the upper end by
higher ground. Their limits are usually sharply defined by a bank
varying in height from one foot to ten feet. Through these swamps,
in tortuous courses, flow the creeks whose names they bear. The
surface of the swamps on a transverse section is practically level,
while on a longitudinal section the surface slopes from one and one
half feet to five feet to the mile. While, in a straight open channel
of uniform size, flowing full, an inclination of one and one half
feet per mile is sufficient to produce a velocity or force in the water
capable of moving fine sand, to spread the same volume of water
over the rough and more or less obstructed surface of the swamp its
velocity will be reduced to almost nothing. And as the ordinary flow
of water in an obstructed creek, in its struggle with over encroaching
vegetation and fallen trunks of trees is unable to maintain and
deepen a permanent channel, but spreads out more or less over the
swamp, it is readily conceived that the water level of a swamp is
slightly above the ground surface at all seasons excepting those of
droughts.
Swamp soil is a loose, black, spongy mud, which seems to be com-
posed of decomposed vegetable matter and depositions from flood
waters which often cover the swamp. Whenever drained and tilled,
swamp lands have been found to be extremely fertile. Pond swamps
differ from creek swamps only in the matter of drainage. The
former, occupying depressions in the ground, have no natural surface
outlet for drainage, while the latter do have such outlets.
Pond swamps occupy probably not more than 10 per cent, of the
swamp area surveyed. As far as the salubrity of the climate is con-
cerned, it is just as necessary to drain them as it is to drain creek
swamps. In the solution of the problem of draining the swamps of
Southwestern Georgia, no serious difficulties will be encountered,
excepting in a few cases of isolated ponds.
The velocity of water in a channel 54 feet wide at top, 40 feet
wide at bottom, and 7 feet deep, with a grade of one and one half
SWAMP AND OVERFLOW LANDS
feet per mile, is 2.80 feet per second. A channel of this size, when
flowing full, will discharge 924 cubic feet per second, or 89,833,600
cubic feet per 24 hours. This volume is equal to that of a rainfall
one inch in depth (when duration of fall is 24 hours) over an area
of 27 square miles. As, however, the country is quite flat, the
velocity in the many tributary streams will be small, rendering it
impossible for the rainfall from the outlying districts of the water-
shed to reach the main channel within the duration of the rainfall,
consequently, for this reason, the main channel will not be subjected
to the full duty of discharging the total amount of rainfall in the
same length of time it may be falling. And further, as limesinks,
ponds and subterranean water courses, which abound in the country,
divert a large part of the storm water from the main lines of
drainage, it is safe to assume that not more than one half of such
rainfall mentioned above would ever find its way into the main,
drainage channel in the time that the rain was falling. Therefore,
a channel of the above size would not only be of ample size to
drain the swamp and to carry off the ordinary flow of the creek, but
would, furthermore, be of sufficient capacity to carry off the storm
water from a water shed of 54 square miles.
The above is simply given as an example of what can be done on
an inclination of one and one half feet per mile. This grade is,
however, the minimum that need ever be met with in the territory.
The average grade would be between three and four feet per mile,
which, would call for much smaller channels proportionately for
purposes outlined above.
Under the present conditions of drainage in Southwest Georgia,
the vital forces at work in the vegetable kingdom, aided by deposi-
tions from flood waters, are augmenting the depths and areas of the
swamps. Change this condition and assist some of the destructive
forces of nature, and the swamps will disappear, giving place to
rich fields yielding bountiful harvests ; the healthf ulness of the coun-
try will be improved ; the vigor of the inhabitants will be increased ;
24 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
farming in all its branches will thrive; room will be made for new
capital and new people; taxable values will be raised, and where
the state receives cents in taxes now it will receive dollars then.
It is not within the scope of this preliminary report to elaborate
a proposed plan of drainage, nor to estimate the cost of such a work,
nor to pro rate this cost to each acre of swamp land that may be
reclaimed. This information would be most desirable and can be
readily obtained when the topographical survey is continued far
enough at least to take in one complete watershed to that creek where
drainage may be under consideration. The area of the watershed,
the amount of duration of rain storms, the proportion of the rainfall
which runs off through subterranean passages, and the ordinary flow
of the water in the creek are factors which must be known before an
intelligent design of a system of drainage can be made.
An estimate based upon Mr. Wardroper's map shows that, within
the area surveyed, there is approximately 32,000 acres of swamp
land which might be reclaimed by drainage, distributed as follows:
Baker County, 5,000 acres; Calhoun County, 11,000 acres, and
Dougherty County, 16,000 acres.
FEDEKAL GOVERNMENT
In addition to the drainage investigations above referred to, the
Federal Government, under the direction of the Office of Experi-
ment Stations, U. S. Department of Agriculture, has done con-
siderable preliminary work in South Georgia investigating the swamp
and overflow lands. The preliminary surveys all of which have
been made in the last two years, cover all, or parts of the following
counties: Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, Mclntosh, Glynn, Clinch,
Echols, Jackson, Telfair and Floyd. The reports on these several
counties, which occur in the following pages of this report, show a
very large acreage of swamp and overflow lands of high fertility,
much of which can be reclaimed at a comparative small cost.
DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
PLATE II— FIG. 1
FIG. 2
FIG. 1.— CULTIVATED "SECOND BOTTOMS." WEST SIDE OF FLINT RIVER.
NEAR MONTKZUMA. MACON COUNTY
FIG. 2.— PYLES MARSH. AT LOW TIDE. ELEVEN MILES
BRUNSWICK. GLYXX COUNTY
NORTHWEST OF
SWAMP AND OVERFLOW LANDS 25
How THE STATE WOULD BE BENEFITED BY THE DRAINAGE or
SWAMP AND OVERFLOW LANDS
By an examination of the last report of State Comptroller-General
Wright, it will be noticed that the so-called unimproved lands of
the coast counties of Georgia, which lands include all of the swamp
and overflow lands, are valued at from" $0.67 to $1.26 per acre, or
an average less than $1.00 per acre. Swamp lands, I am informed,
in many places can actually be purchased at from $2.00 to $3.00
per acre.
It is a well-known fact that both swamp and overflow lands are,
as a general rule, remarkably fertile, and when properly drained
and cultivated, yield luxuriant crops. Lands of this character in
Georgia, where favorably located, should bring at a low estimate $50
or more per acre, or fifty times their present assessed valuation, as
shown by the tax returns. In case these lands were drained, the
State, instead of receiving, as it now does, an annual income in taxes
to tne amount of $13,500, should receive $675,000. It is true that
this estimate is made on the supposition that all of the swamp and
overflow land be reclaimed, which will probably never be completely
realized, nevertheless, the ratio of increase in taxes to the State will
hold good for every acre of land drained and put under cultivation.
In addition to the increased money value to the State in the form
of taxes, the reclamation of these lands will add greatly to the health
of the section wherever drainage is carried on. It is a well-known
fact, recently demonstrated by the medical profession, that malarial
diseases, so prevalent in swamp lands, are due to the bite of a certain
species of mosquitoes which almost invariably abound in greater or
less numbers in such places. The drainage of swamp lands destroys
the breeding places of these insects, and as a result malarial diseases
disappear. The census of 1870 gave the number of deaths from
malaria in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa for the preceding year as
52.5 per thousand of the total, while the census of 1890, when large
26 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
areas of land had been drained, the death rate, due to malaria, was
only 8.6 per thousand. For the east coast lands of Georgia, South
Carolina, and Florida, the death rate from malaria in 1870 was
66.2 per thousand, and in the same states in 1890 the rate was 61.7
per thousand. These figures show that malarial conditions did not
materially change in the three last named states during the two
decades, which is accounted for, in a large measure, by the lack of
drainage improvement. The facts brought out in the comparison of
these two groups of states, in one of which drainage had been carried
on to a large extent, and in the other but little or no drainage was
attempted, demonstrate conclusively that malaria depends largely
on swamp conditions, which can be removed by drainage.
Drainage Examinations and Surveys
IN
GEORGIA
CONDUCTED BY
Drainage Investigations
Office of Experiment Stations,
U. S. Department of Agriculture,
1908-1911
FOREWORD
The need for drainage in Georgia, particularly in the coast coun-
ties, has been brought to the attention of this office many times
during the past three years, and in response to requests, several pre-
liminary drainage examinations have been made in order to deter-
mine what will be necessary to effect the reclamation of these swamp
lands.
The following is a collection of reports of various preliminary
examinations, including the proposed drainage improvement of
McRae Branch, Telfair County, a drainage plan for the Berry
School Farm, Home, Floyd County, and the proposed improvement of
the Mulberry River, in Jackson County, the latter having been worked
out in full for the use of the landowners. The names of the several
engineers who conducted the work and reported on the various pro-
jects are given at the head of each report.
The interest which has been aroused in the subject of drainage
throughout the State and the desire of the landowners in many locali-
ties to carry out works of considerable magnitude, emphasize the
need of a general drainage law. A drainage bill has been prepared
and will be presented at the coining session of the legislature, and
for this reason it is desired at this time to present the information
that has so far been collected by this office relating to the drainage
conditions in the State so that the subject may be intelligently con-
sidered.
The drainage situation in Effingham County has also been made
the subject of a special examination and a report upon same is here
omitted as it is hoped that in the near future the report will be pub-
lished as one of the Circulars of the U. S. Department of Agriculture.
It is expected during the coming year that Drainage Investiga-
tions, Office of Experiment Stations, U. S. Department of Agricul-
28
FOREWORD 29
tiire, will co-operate with the Geological Survey of Georgia in eon-
tinning the drainage examinations and surveys which have already
been initiated.
Aside from the great change which will be effected in agriculture
and agricultural methods by the reclamation of the swamps and wet
farm lands of the coast counties and the overflowed valley lands
throughout the State, a great benefit will be derived by changing
many unhealthful localities into those suitable for habitation
throughout the year. This benefit alone will, without doubt, con-
tribute greatly to the prosperity of the State.
C. G. ELLIOTT,
Chief of Drainage Investigations.
Washington, D. C., May 10, 1911.
Bryan County1
BY J. V. PHILLIPS
Assistant Drainage Engineer, U. S. Department of Agriculture
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
Bryan County, as will be seen from the map, is a long, narrow
county situated just west of Chatham County, in which lies Savan-
nah, Georgia's chief seaport. Bulloch County lies to its north, the
Ogeechee River forms its eastern boundary line, the Atlantic Ocean
bounds it on the south, and the Cannouchee and Medway rivers form
most of its western boundary line.
It is traversed by three competing lines of railroads. The Sea-
board Air Line crosses the northern section of the county, while the
Seaboard Air Line and the Atlantic Coast Line cross the south central
section of the county. The Savannah and Statesboro Railroad
affords transportation for the extreme northeastern section of the
county.
The county has many swamps over the entire area, all of which
afford independent outlets for their respective sections, or would do
so if they were improved. Practically every section or locality in
the county was visited and the conditions existing in each were
studied, both by questioning the more prominent landowners and by
personally riding over different sections of these creeks, which are
merely flat swamps in many cases.
Some of the more prominent outlets in the county are: Cana
Branch, Mill Creek, Black Creek, Savage Creek, Cross Swamp and
Mill Creek ISTo. 2, all of which are shown on the map.
'Field Examination made January-February, 1910.
31
32 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
NATURAL DRAINAGE CHANNELS AND OUTLETS
Although Cana Branch is several miles in length, it has a good
fall and the landowners from its head to five or six miles below desire
to improve that section. As the lands bordering along the branch are
low, flat wood lands, at wet times the excessive water held in the
swamp along the branch soaks into this higher land, thus doing it
much injury. By digging a suitable canal along the branch an area
of about two to three miles in width can be thoroughly drained. The
body of the swamp, itself, varies from a few hundred feet to a quarter
of a mile in width.
Mill Creek No. 1, Black Creek, Savage Creek and Cross Swamp
each have about the same sized water shed as Cana Branch. Each
also has its swamp with its more or less open run, along which the
black mud lands vary in width from one eighth to a half mile. The soil
is about two to three feet deep, underlain with sand ; however, a light
brown or red clay is found in places. The area to either side of the
swamp is flat, low lying, and badly in need of drainage. This area
varies from a light sandy loam to a sandy soil, yet there is very little
of these lands that are too sandy for profitable cultivation after
drainage.
As mentioned above, the county is well covered with swamps, each
of the larger swamps having its numerous tributaries and chains of
ponds or depressions leading back into the higher lands. The
Ogeechee River on the eastern boundary of the county and the
Cannouchee on the western boundary line afford ample outlet for these
several swamps, yet in their present condition, with their poor "runs"
and thick undergrowth, these swamps and tributaries are worthless
as outlets during wet times when the flat wood lands lying in their
watershed area unfit them wholly or partially for cultivation.
TYPICAL AEEA NEEDING DRAINAGE
In the northeastern section of the county is the home of Mr.
Quincy Edwards, who owns about a thousand acres or more of good
DRAINAGE RECLAMATION /A
PLATE 111— FIG. 1
FIG. 1.— MAULDIX SWAMP. I5IIYAX rurXTY. GEORGIA
PHOTOGRAPH BY J. V. PHILLIPS. 1910
FIG. 2.— CAXXOOCHEE RIVER. P.KYAX COUNTY. GEORGIA
PHOTOGRAPH BY J. V. PHILLIPS. 1910
BRYAN COUNTY 33
mud land and sandy loam. There is a chain of ponds or depressions
on this land leading to Black Creek, a distance of some three miles.
The area on either side that would be benefited by draining these
ponds is about a mile or more in width, flat and very fertile, being
a dark sandy loam. The ponds themselves contain gum and cypress,
and have a black mud soil with a clay subsoil.
DRAINAGE OF THE PAST
Regarding practical drainage, there has been none undertaken in
this county since the days of slavery. Practically all of it at that
time was for the culture of rice. With few exceptions this was prac-
ticed along the rivers in the tidal belt. To-day old drains and em-
bankments have all been entirely neglected and allowed to go to ruin.
In Mauldin Swamp, just southeast of Cana Branch, there is an old
cleared field containing about 100 acres. This field was cleared and
thoroughly drained by slave labor years ago, and it is said that 50
bushels of corn and rice were grown per acre, while a bale of cotton
was made on the same area. The swamp has a very rich black mud
soil, about three to four feet in depth. Black gum is the prevailing
timber, and there is several feet fall per mile. The swamp varies in
width from one fourth to one half mile, with a good sandy loam woods
land on either side in the water shed. Some of the landowners in
Cana Branch watershed also own lands in this watershed, and it is
only a question of time until this swamp will also be brought under
cultivation.
PRESENT FARMING CONDITIONS
The farming conditions are about the same as are usually found
in localities that have much swamp land. The people are living on
the higher places, which, though by far the poorer lands, are mostly
free from excessive water. The major portion of the farmers depend
to a great extent upon either the timber or the turpentine interests
for most of their subsistence, and little attention is paid to raising
crops. Fifteen to forty bushels of corn can be made per acre, from a
half to a bale of cotton, about 300 gallons Georgia cane syrup, and
34 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
about 300 to 400 bushels sweet potatoes, and good hay crops. Few
at present have given much attention to the science of better farming,
but with a change in the convict system of the state whereby each
county is building good roads, a rapid improvement is expected.
Bryan County already has many miles of well-graded road-bed, and
the system is extending over the entire county. There is now being
projected a railroad from Avithout the county, which, if the charter
is followed, will go through Pembroke down to Clyde, the county seat,
and thence to Ways Station. This will afford the people the very
best transportation facilities throughout the farming section. That
section of the county south of Ways Station, though very rich for
the most part, is held to the extent of about 90 per cent, by wealthy
Northern men and by clubs for hunting purposes solely. Little
farming is practiced in this section, save on a very small scale by a
few negroes. The examination was continued as far down as Keller
P. O. It was found that the tide usually comes up the Ogeechee
Eiver into the Cannouchee River, about three miles south of Clyde.
CONCLUSION
Having a semi-tropical climate, a good rich sandy loam soil over
the most of the county, being near a good trucking market, and having
fair transportation, by instituting drainage in this county, it can be
benefited beyond the most sanguine dream of the inhabitants, for 80
per cent, of the lowlands may, at a very small cost, be brought under
very profitable cultivation.
The two localities most interested in drainage at present are the
Cana Branch District and the district in the northeastern part of the
county previously mentioned. In each of these places a main canal
down the swamp will be all that is necessary.
Chatham County1
BY J. V. PHILLIPS
Assistant Drainage Engineer U. S. Department of Agriculture
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
Chatham County is situated on the extreme eastern part of Georgia's
coast and has for its only large town Savannah, the chief seaport of
Georgia. The county being very swampy and unhealthful, years ago
practically all the population of the county settled in the city of
Savannah itself. Because of the unhealthy conditions prevailing in
and about the city, the county authorities some 25 years ago began
draining the swamps near the city to rid themselves of the malarial
conditions which were then so prevalent.
Mr. Albert Wiley, chairman of Chatham County's Drainage Com-
mission, took great interest in explaining the general conditions exist-
ing years ago when he first undertook this work, contrasting it with the
first-class conditions existing to-day, and explaining in detail the
different steps in the great work. Mr. W. F. Brown, County Engi-
neer for the past twenty years, kindly went over the many maps and
plans in his office with the writer. These county maps are from
accurate surveys made by Mr. Brown. The detail maps show an
accurate meander of all the swamps, and there are also shown many
other natural features. Accurate levels over the entire county have
been run and these are shown on the map in parallels one thousand
feet apart.
PRESENT DKAINAGE CONDITIONS
In the past twenty years the county has constructed over 800 miles
of canals and ditches in the county with convict labor. These canals
are principally near Savannah, though they are gradually extending
aField Examination made February 25-29, 1910.
35
36 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
throughout the entire county, as the available labor will permit. The
most of Chatham County being low and the fall very slight, tidewater
once reached far back into the interior, but the county has constructed
very strong, substantial tide gates at the several necessary openings
until now they have five in all — viz., Casey Canal Gate, Dundee
Gate, Pipe Maker Gate, Augustine Gate, and Buckhalter Gate.
These gates vary in cost from $6,000 to $10,000, which cost includes
a reinforced concrete bridge over the canal. These gates have proven
very satisfactory in the past and I consider them of the best type.
Some of the canals have a bottom width as large as 40 feet and the
engineer has given them slopes of one and one half to one, as it is
considered that the soil through which the canals pass would cave in
with steeper slopes. In the swamps the black vegetable matter is
about four to six feet deep, and, of course, very fertile. The swamps
practically all have a blue clay subsoil which is impervious. As
above mentioned, the slope is slight in the swamps and the expense
of keeping the canals cleaned out is great, due largely to a grass which
grows, up in the bottom of the canals and forms a thick amatty"
mass. Within the past few years the delegation from Chatham
County secured the passage of a bill by the State Legislature making
it compulsory for the landowners of any of the swamps to construct
laterals to the different mains, where these mains were for the public
health of the county. They must also keep said mains in such con-
dition that the flow will not be retarded.
OPPORTUNITIES
Though many thousand acres in the county have been reclaimed
by the above-mentioned process, practically all the landowners live in
the city of Savannah and have a few tenants, principally negroes,
living upon small clearings. The entire county was examined and
the different projects under construction were visited. In the north-
eastern part of the county, about Monteith and Meinhard, is found
the best truck gardening section. This is a progressive German settle-
ment.
DRAINAGE RECLAMATION
GEORGIA
PLATE IV — FIG. 1
2
FIG. 1.— CROSS SWAMP. NEAR CLYDE. BRYAN COUNTY. GEORGIA— TYPICAL
OF THE GUM SWAMPS OF THIS SECTION AS TO SIZE OF TREES
PHOTOGRAPH BY .1. V. PHILLIPS. l!>lo
FIG. 2.— TYPICAL LOW-LYING FLAT WOODS. NEAR CLYDE. BRYAN COUNTY.
GEORGIA. SHOWING THE EFFECTS OF THE FOREST FIRES WHICH
OFTEN FOLLOW IN THE WAKE OF THE TIMBER AND
TURPENTINE OPERATIONS
PHOTOGRAPH P,Y J. V. PHILLIPS. 191C
CHATHAM COUNTY 37
Chatham County, situated as it is, with its semi-tropical
its fine fertile soil, and the best of transportation facilities, should
become a great shipping point for truck garden produce. Besides
the great drainage works which the county has built, it has also con-
structed over a hundred miles of the best gravel road-bed travers-
ing the greater part of the county. The expert from the U. S. De-
partment of Agriculture, Good Roads Office, said, after inspecting the
roads, that he could offer no suggestions for their betterment. From
the above it will be seen that transportation from the farm to the city
or railroads is the best one could wish for, while trunk lines of the
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, the
Southern Railroad, and the Central of Georgia, all afford quick trans-
portation to the Northern market.
CONCLUSIONS
It will be seen from the above discussion of conditions existing in
Chatham County that the only thing needed in this county is taking
advantage of the excellent opportunities offered. The greater part of
the county could well be given over to truck gardening. The drainage
work is being carried on in a most complete, thorough, and scientific
manner under the direction of Mr. Brown, the County Engineer, who
gives his entire time to the draining of the county and the scientific
construction of roadways.
Clinch and Echols Counties1
BY J. V. PHILLIPS
Assistant Drainage Engineer U. S. Department of Agriculture
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The Suwanoochee Valley lies principally in Clinch County, but
the southern extremity for some miles forms the boundary line be-
tween Clinch and Echols counties. A branch of the Atlantic Coast
Line Railroad crosses the upper end of the valley, another branch
runs along the valley for some seven miles south of Dupont, while a
branch of the Georgia Southern & Florida Railroad crosses the valley
along about its central part.
The area of the proposed drainage district examined embraces
about 120,000 acres, having a maximum length of about 40 miles and
a width of about five miles. This area is low and flat, having a gentle
slope to the Suwanoochee Creek bottom, which varies in width from
one fourth mile to one half mile. The flat area on either side of the
creek bottom is dotted about with ponds or bays, some of which have
no outlets, while still others have a connecting chain to the creek
bottom.
The Suwanoochee Creek is the main outlet for this area, while
there are small swamps leading into the creek which are called creeks
or branches, and which carry some water during wet seasons. The
Suwanoochee Creek bottom, itself, has no well-defined channel until
a point a few miles above its mouth is reached, and even here it needs
much improvement. The Suwanoochee having no well-defined chan-
nel for carrying the run-off during wet times, causes the area border-
ing along it to be flooded. There has been no drainage at all up to
the present time in this locality, no attempt even having been made,
save for some few small shallow field ditches in Fruitland.
•Field Examination made January 5-11. 1910.
39
40 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
FARMING, CHOPS AND SOILS .
Of the 120,000 acres there are probably 3,000 to 5,000 acres
-cleared for cultivation, a great part of which is cultivated, but not
according to modern methods. A great part of the land being held in
large tracts by the turpentine or timber interests, who work the
turpentine or sell the timber for ties or lumber, has caused very little
interest to be manifested along agricultural lines.
Cotton, corn, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, rice, and nearly all
crops suitable to a semi-tropical climate can be grown. The cotton
crop (which is the long staple) varies from about one third bale to
two bales per acre. The corn crop varies from 15 to 40 bushels per
acre, the sweet potato averages about 250 bushels per acre, and the
Irish potato about 100 bushels per acre. This is also a great pecan
country, though there have been very few trees as yet in this imme-
diate territory.
The soil is of about three distinct classes. In the northern part of
the district there is a clay soil, but farther south along the valley this
changes to a sandy loam, being very sandy at the lower end of the
valley. There the creek bottom, which is an average of about one
third mile in width, has a dark, rich, loamy soil. A good brown or
red clay subsoil underlies the entire district, varying in depth from
the surface.
TRANSPORTATION AND KOADS
As before stated, the valley is served by three branches of railroads
running through it. These roads all run convenient schedules and
give ample service with sufficient traffic and freight accommodation.
There are, however, very few roads for private conveyances and these
are only narrow trails.
NEED OF DRAINAGE
Lumbering, tie and turpentine industries have occupied the people
almost solely up to the present time and the subjects of more exten-
sive and more intensive farming have been given very little thought
and the matter of the drainage of wet lands has not been considered.
CLINCH AND ECHOLS COUNTIES 41
Finding these conditions, an address was made by the writer at a
meeting at Dupont, 2s\ C., on Tuesday, January 11, 1910. This
was thought necessary because of the principal landowners being
widely scattered in many towns. Twenty-five or more persons were
at the meeting and some interest was manifested. An explanation
was given of the policy of the Drainage Investigation Office and of
the progress made in drainage in the past few years. The State
Senator for this district and the editor of the only paper in the
county also made a few timely remarks.
The drainage necessary will be a main outlet down along the
Suwanoochee Creek bottom to the mouth, a distance of some 40 miles.
Also some laterals through these "characteristic palmetto flat woods."
For a good description of this area see "Soil Survey of the Waycross
Area," published by the Bureau of Soils, U. S. Department of Agri-
culture. This soil survey joins Clinch County and, in part, is a good
description of this section, save for the rolling area described in that
bulletin.
A drainage survey should include some five or six miles in width
lying along the Suwanoochee Valley and extending the length of
the valley. The country is very sparsely settled, so that a camp outfit
would be necessary for such work.
Glynn County1
BY F. G. EASON
Assistant Drainage Engineer V. S. Department of Agriculture
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The examination of Glynn County was conducted with Bruns-
wick as a base, and from here the various parts of the county were
reached by train, automobile, buggy, horseback, and steamboat. All
sections of the county were inspected and the various problems
looked into.
Glynn is one of the coast counties of Georgia, lying between
Mclntosh and Cainden counties. It has an area of about 500 square
miles and a population of 15,000. Brunswick is the county seat and
largest city. For the most part, the county is low and flat, and cut
up by tidewater creeks and marshes. In nearly all cases the head
waters of the creeks are long, narrow swamps, which are the natural
drainage channels of the county. These flat lowlands extend up to
the northern and western parts of the county, where a high, sandy
ridge is encountered. There are many smaller swamps making into
these long swamps, thus forming a network of swamps. Buffalo
Swamp is the largest and it crosses almost the entire county.
DRAINAGE CHAXNELS
There are three main drainage channels in Glynn County. The
first is the Altamaha River, which drains the northern part of the
county. Its watershed will be found to be comparatively small,
making most of the drainage come to tidewater. This river is the
line between Glynn and Mclntosh counties. The second is the Little
Satilla River draining the southern part of the county. It forms the
boundary between Glynn and Camden counties. The third is Turtle
•Field Examination made February 8-28, 1910.
43
44 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
River and it drains the central portion. These last two are hardly
more than small tidewater rivers. There are no tributaries of any
note to any of these rivers.
SOIL
The soil of Glynn County is very fertile and worthy of special
mention. There are four distinct kinds of soil to be found here.
1. On the coast, the soil consists of a light, sandy loam, underlain in
most places by a light, yellow clay. This soil is sometimes called
"hammock" and is considered to be well adapted to truck raising.
2. About six miles back from the coast a clay is encountered which
is of a light yellow color and very thick. In many places it can be
seen cropping out and is hardly ever more than five to eight inches
below the surface. It is underlain by a hard-pan several feet from the
surface. There is more of this soil than any other, in the county,
and, as it is very fertile, a system of drainage would make it produce
large crops. 3. From 20 to 25 miles from the coast, a very heavy
sand is encountered. In some places it is underlain by a clay subsoil
and in others it extends downward for many feet. Very little of
this class of soil exists in this county. 4. The swamp soil of Glynn
County is by far the most fertile. It consists of a heavy black muck
many feet in depth. It is, in many cases, almost peat, and if dried
out will burn. With the diversified soil in this county there is no
reason why Glynn County could not be made the garden spot of
Georgia, if the lands were only drained.
DRAINAGE CONDITIONS
The entire county can be benefited to a great extent by a careful
system of drainage. The low, flat section is traversed by many
swamps which empty into tidewater rivers. These swamps, with one
or two exceptions, are the natural drainage channels, and as none of
them are opened up, great harm results. They are all choked up by
brush and timber, and as a consequence, the water can not run off
rapidly enough. These flat lands are also injured to a great extent
by standing water. They have too light a slope to insure good
GLYNN COUNTY 45
drainage and they, therefore, need ditching very badly. In one sec-
tion of the county there is an overflow to contend with, but it is not
as Bad as in some of the other coast counties. The water breaks out
from the Altainaha Eiver in times of high freshets and runs through
the Buffalo Swamp. It also overflows a portion of the clay lands in
the vicinity of Thallman and Everett. This could be prevented by
building several levees across the swamps where they leave the River
Swamp.
The amount of drainage existing in the county to-day is very small.
What land is cultivated is, for the most part, fairly well drained by
a system of ditches. As practically all of this land now cultivated is
near some tidewater creek, its drainage is very simple. There is a
large canal about 50 feet wide running from the Altamaha River to
Brunswick, which, by a little cleaning out, could be utilized for a
drainage canal. It was dug during slavery times with slave labor
and used as a short cut to bring various products to Brunswick. It is
not used now.
FAEMIXG CONDITIONS AND CROPS
Farming, as a profession, is coming into vogue here more and
more every year. The intelligent, progressive farmers realize that
the proper way to farm is by the use of modern scientific methods.
Several colonies have been started here, but have for the most part
proved a failure on account of the lack of drainage. One of them is
being tried now, but they realize that they can not do much without
drainage and the promoters are very anxious to have the work done
and are willing to pay their share of the costs. A very small percent-
age of the county is under cultivation to-day and much of this is
farmed in small patches by negroes. There are large areas of clay
lands that can be brought into cultivation very easily, if drained,
there being scarcely any growth on it.
The land that is cultivated here raises very good crops with the
aid of fertilizers, the crops being above the average for the State. The
land seems to be well adapted to corn, and from 35 to 75 bushels per
46 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
acre are raised. There is a wide range in the kinds of soil and, con-
sequently, a wide range of crops. Those grown most are corn, cotton,
peas, potatoes, cane, oats, forage crops, and truck. In times past, a
great deal of this land used to yield a bale of Sea Island cotton to the
acre. Experiments are being made here in celery, with a view of
growing it extensively on a commercial scale, and they seem to be
fairly successful, although they have had a very unfavorable winter.
There is a large movement on foot to have the farmers plant more
cotton, and there will be about 500 acres planted this year. Fine Sea
Island cotton used to be raised here before the war, but the industry
has died out, and it is for the purpose of reviving it, that the organiza-
tion was formed.
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES
The transportation facilities in the county are very good. There
are three railroads running out of Brunswick — the Southern Railway,
the Atlantic Coast Line, and the Atlanta, Birmingham & Atlantic.
The Seaboard Air Line crosses the western portion of the county.
The roads are very good for the most part, there being many miles of
shelled and clayed roads. They are kept in good condition by convict
forces. As there are plenty of waterways, transportation by boat is
often used. Glynn County has the best roads of any county south of
Chatham.
DRAINAGE PLAN PROPOSED
The kind of drainage most needed now in Glynn County is the
opening up of all the large swamps, so that they can serve as out-
lets for the smaller drains. There are several of these large swamps
which cross the county, and by opening them up and constructing
numerous laterals, most of the county could be effectively drained.
The section bordering the coast can be easily drained by the indi-
vidual owners of the land. St. Simon's Island was visited and was
found to have fair natural drainage, but in a few instances some
very fine savanna land could be put under cultivation by the construe-
GLYNN COUNTY 47
tion of ditches. The island was nearly all cultivated at one time,
but is cultivated to a very limited extent at present.
Ko particular difficulties will be met with when a survey may be
made, as there is no very thick brush, although the swamps are heavily
timbered. Such surveys would have to be made from a camp, as
houses are scarce. There is no difficult problem to solve, unless it be
the taking care of the overflow water from the Altamaha River.
No definite drainage project has been formulated here up to the
present time, but there possibly will be some later. A great deal of
interest in drainage has been aroused by the investigation, as it has,
in a measure, made the landowners realize the possibilities of their
lands.
DRAINAGE RECLAMATION /.\ GEORGIA
PLATE V — FIG. 1
FIG. i.—BRIDGE OVER GUM SWAMP CREEK. TELFAIR COUNTY. GEORGIA,
ONE MILE NORTHEAST OF McRAE, OLD BRIDGE AT RIGHT
PHOTOGRAPH BY J. V. PHILLIPS. 1910
FIG 2.— GUM SWAMP CREEK. NEAR McRAE. TELFAIR COUNTY. GEORGIA,
LOOKING UP STREAM FROM BRIDGE ON ONE OF THE FOUR CHANNELS
PHOTOGRAPH BY .T. R. IIASWELL. T-'ll
Liberty County 1
BY F. G. EASON
Assistant Drainage Engineer U. S. Department of Agriculture
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
There is no drainage organization of any kind in Liberty County.
but there are a number of persons interested in drainage.
The examination was conducted by visiting the different points
in the county by train and team. Those who were interested in
drainage were interviewed and their opinions on the subject obtained.
They were also asked to describe the conditions in their several locali-
ties, and afterwards a personal inspection of the territory was made.
As a part of this county had already been visited and described in
the report on Mclntosh County, December, 1909, it will not be neces-
sary to give a detailed description in this report. Attention is called
to the similiarity of Liberty and Mclntosh counties. They are ad-
joining coast counties of Georgia and resemble each other very closely
in natural conditions and in other respects.
Liberty is one of the largest counties of Georgia, having an area
of 976 square miles and a population of 13,000 people, two thirds
being negroes. The county seat is Hinesville, and it has no railroad
connection.
The soil of the county is of two different kinds. The coast and
northern sections are sandy, with a light clay subsoil, and the central
and southern parts are very fertile alluvial clay, deposited from the
Altamaha Eiver and known as the "flat clay lands."
DRAINAGE CHANNELS
The main watershed runs through the central part of the county in
an east and west direction, the main drainage channel for the southern
Examination made January 21-February 2, 1910.
49
50 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
part of the county being the Altamaha River, the main tributaries
of which are Beard's Creek, Jones Creek, and Doctor Creek. For
the northern part, the Cannouchee River furnishes the outlet and its
main tributaries are the Little Cannouchee River and Taylor's Creek.
The eastern part drains to the Atlantic Ocean, its main streams being
the South Newport River, North Newport River, and Medway River.
THE DRAINAGE SITUATION
The county has good natural drainage as a whole, but there are
several localities which can and need to be greatly improved. In the
coast section, a great deal of drainage is needed. The proposition
here however is a comparatively easy one, as the whole section is a
network of tidewater rivers and creeks, thus giving many drainage
outlets. Before the Civil War, this section had a complete and
thorough system of drainage, and fine crops were raised. It was then
the richest section of Georgia, but the large owners have either left
or allowed the places to run down, until to-day, all that remains of
a once fine system, are a few overgrown ditch banks. It is a section
of by-gone days. Drainage here would be a matter of individual
activity, as nearly all of the places are on some outlet creek.
The northern part of the county is high, sandy, rolling land, and
the drainage is very good into the creeks and rivers through the
branches and swamps. It could be improved in some instances by
opening up these swamps.
The central and southeastern part of the county is the section to
which I desire to call especial attention, as it is annually overflowed
and the drainage here is very poor. This is the section which has
already been referred to as the "flat clay lands," but it is really the
alluvial plain of the Altamaha River. All of this section can be
reclaimed by building some short levees along the river and by digging
canals through the swamps to the tidewater rivers of the coast. It is
necessary for Mclntosh and Liberty counties to work in conjunction
in this matter.
The farming conditions of the coast section are very poor. What
LIBERTY COUNTY 51
has been written about this section of Mclntosh County applies to
Liberty County as well. There are a few small farms in this locality,
but a great deal of the land here is owned by negroes.
On account of the overflow conditions and lack of drainage in the
"flat clay lands," no farming is done here. The section north of the
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad is the best farming section of the county.
It is not meant that it is the best land, but the conditions are best
suited for farming. It is high and well drained and the farmers raise
very good crops by the use of much fertilizer. The chief crops are
corn, cotton, potatoes, and cane.
TRAN SPORTATION
The transportation facilities throughout the county are not very
good. There are three railroads. The Atlantic Coast Line traverses
the central part, the Seaboard Air Line the eastern part, and the
Georgia Coast and Piedmont the western part. The entire northern
part of the county is without a railroad. The roads are in fair
condition, and a few small boats ply up and down the large rivers
and connect with the coast.
CONCLUSION
The coast drainage conditions have already been described, so
nothing further need be said. The people of the northern section
are wideawake, progressive farmers, but are not much interested in
drainage. The owners of the "flat clay lands" fully realize the possi-
bilities of the land and are willing to form a drainage district. The
examination in this section of the county was quite thorough and it
was found that the people were very enthusiastic over the project.
The kind and system of drainage thought to be necessary will be
explained in the Mclntosh County report. The system will have to
be extended up the western part of the county, between the Altamaha
River and the Georgia Coast & Piedmont Railroad nearly to Beard's
Creek.
The kind of drainage survey has also been described. The work in
52 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
the western part of Liberty County can be done without a camp, as
farm houses are numerous.
The idea of making this into a trucking section seems to be growing
in favor every day. The present market value of these lands is from
$2 to $3 per acre, which compared with the present value of good
truck lands in the south indicates the opportunity here for improve-
ment and investment.
Mclntosh County1
BY F. G. EASOX
Assistant Drainage Engineer U. S. Department of Agriculture
Some of the largest landowners in Mclntosh County are interested
in drainage, and some of them very kindly took the writer over the
county. No map of the county could be procured, so a State map
had to be used. The examination was conducted by getting all the
information possible from the residents and by later riding over the
country on horseback, buggy, and train.
LOCATIOX AXD DRAINAGE COXDITIOXS
Mclntosh County is one of the coast counties and consequently is
very similar in physical conditions to the other coast counties, that is,
low and flat with numerous swamps. It is a small county, containing
308,000 acres and about 9,000 people, the majority being negroes.
The part most needing improvements and to which most attention was
paid is the northwestern section of the county. This locality is an-
nually overflowed by freshets from the Altamaha River, which forms
the Avestern boundary of the county. This water overflows at a point
in the northern part of Liberty County through Beard's Creek, and
also at several other small places down the river in Liberty and
Mclntosh counties, overflowing in all about 200,000 acres. There is
on both sides of the river a swamp from one to two miles wide called
the River Swamp. This swamp is also overflowed, but it would not
be practicable to try to protect it, as a very high levee would be re-
quired along the entire river bank at a very great cost. The eastern
boundary of this swamp is a narrow ridge of sandhills, known as
the River Sandhills, varying in width from 100 to 500 feet. These
'Field Examination made December 9-17, 1909.
53
54 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
hills are very high and form a natural levee paralleling the river.
There are several gaps in this ridge through which the water flows,
and as stated above, also through Beard's Creek. One of the gaps is
ahout six miles north of Barrington and is about 600 feet wide. An-
other is right on the line between Liberty and Mclntosh counties and
is about 500 feet wide. There are several other small gaps near the
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad from 50 to 200 feet wide. All of the
water comes through these small openings. During a freshet, the
water from the river backs up Beard's Creek and overflows the low-
lands, being augmented on the way down by water from these gaps.
A portion of this overflow water goes back into the Altamaha River
below Barrington, but the greater part of it flows down these flat
clay lands paralleling the river for a distance and then spreads out
over the entire country, (Tibet to Eulonia) finally emptying into the
Atlantic Ocean through the South Newport and Sapelo rivers. The
land north of Tibet and east of Ludowici is high and sandy, and
never overflows. The lands in the vicinity of Darien are also high
and do not overflow, so that the water is confined to an area bounded
by the River Sandhills on the west and the high sandhills near Ludo-
wici on the north and the high land of the coast on the south. This
whole section is not overflowed, because the land is slightly rolling
and the low parts only being covered to a depth of from one to eight
feet. This overflow water can be cut off by building a low levee about
three or four feet high along the south bank of Beard's Creek for
about one and one half miles, and by stopping up the openings in the
sandhills. This will require a levee 10 or 12 feet high for about
1,500 feet. This can probably be done for about 10 cents per yard,
making the total cost very small, when considering the large number
of acres that will be reclaimed.
NATUKAL DEAINAGE CHANNELS
This section of the county that would be reclaimed is also the one
most needing drainage. As stated above, the whole county is cut up
by small swamps, but there are only two which can be used as main
McINTOSH COUNTY 55
drainage channels. These are Mortar and Jackey Camp Swamps.
Mortar Swamp heads in Liberty County west of Tibet near the river
sandhills, flowing in an easterly direction, and passing about two
miles north of Townsend, 500 feet north of Darien Junction, and
finally uniting with Bulltown Swamp to form the South Newport
River. This swamp is not wide, above Darien Junction varying from
100 to 600 feet, and below widening out to half a mile. While the
general direction is straight, the swamp itself is rather crooked. The
other main drainage channel would run from this one through Jackey
Camp Swamp. This swamp starts near Townsend and flows in a
southeast direction, forming the Sapelo River at Eulonia. None of
these swamps have a "run" of any size, and the whole being choked
up by brush and fallen trees makes them inadequate to carry off the
water, and in consequence there is water in them nearly all the time.
Entering into these swamps are numerous other small swamps,
through which laterals could be run, or laterals could be run as often
as desired through the flat clay lands, thus making a complete system
of drainage for the section. The canal through Mortar Swamp would
be approximately twenty miles long and the Jackey Camp Canal about
five miles long. This system would give thorough drainage channels
for these lands. Another canal can possibly be run into the South
Newport River through Bulltown Swamp, but it is not recommended
at the present time.
SOIL AND FABMING CONDITIONS.
The soil is one of extreme fertility and capable of raising almost
any crop. The top soil consists of a mixture of sand and light gray
clay, the latter predominating. This is underlaid by a subsoil, 18
to 20 inches below the surface. The subsoil consists of thick, yellow
clay, which will allow water to pass through very slowly. From this
clay the Ludowici roofing tile is made. The mass when mixed, makes
a very rich soil and one that is easily worked. The swamp soil con-
sists of a mixture of black loam and clay, with a little sand, the whole
being of light color. This is underlaid by a thick clay. The swamp
56 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
growth being mostly cypress, gum, ash, hickory, and a little maple,
gives every indication of the fertility of the soil.
These lands are not farmed now to any extent on account of the
overflow conditions and lack of drainage. Only the high knolls which
are not covered by water are farmed, but those raise good crops.
Notice was taken of the small gardens which show that these lands
are well adapted to growing early garden truck.
The amount of drainage needed has been roughly given above, but
it is thought that a very complete system would have to be laid out on
account of the compact condition of the soil.
At the present time, while the natural conditions tend toward agri-
culture, it can not be called a farming country. The only farming
done in the county is a little rice planting on the coast and a small
amount of corn and sweet potatoes raised throughout the county.
Along the main road from Darien to Eulonia, not as much as 10 acres
of cultivated land were seen and hardly more than this from Darien
to Barrihgton. The chief industries are working turpentine, lumber
business, and cattle raising. The chief crops are sweet potatoes, rice,
corn, sugar cane, cotton, and a little garden truck. Estimates as to
crop yields per acre for this section are: cotton, one bale; corn, 50
bushels ; sweet potatoes, 300 bushels.
TRANSPORTATION
The transportation facilities throughout the county are very good,
there being two railroads, the main line of the Seaboard Air Line
traversing the western section, and the Georgia Coast & Piedmont the
central part. The main line of the Atlantic Coast Line runs through
Liberty County near the Mclntosh County line. The public roads in
the county are, as a general rule, good hard roads, but there are some
heavy sandy roads. Connections can also be made by water up the
rivers. From Darien to Brunswick there is a daily service. As the
products could be gotten to market easily and quickly, it is quite evi-
dent that this could be made a great trucking section.
McINTOSH COUNTY 57
OUTLOOK FOB DRAINAGE
The attitude of the landowners towards drainage is, on the whole,
very favorable. A great deal of the land is owned in large tracts by
private persons and lumber companies, and they manifested a great
deal of enthusiasm on the subject. Most of the land has had all the
large timber cut off and only a small, second growth now exists, which
is worked for turpentine.. This industry will in a few years run out
and then there will be large tracts of land to put in condition to
offer for sale. The present market value of these lands is from
$1.00 to $3.00 per acre, and some has been bought recently for less.
Judging from similar conditions and from small drained rice field
lands, on the coast, I should say they would easily sell for from $12
to $20 per acre, when drained. If the trucking industry could be
started here, the value of the lands would be greatly increased.
A drainage survey would have to be made from a camp, on account
of the scarcity of farm houses throughout the district. All of the
main swamps indicated above would have to be run out and the canals
located. The main roads should be run out and the watershed de-
termined. JSTumerous cross-sections would have to be run. There is
not much brush anywhere except a little in the swamps, so not many
axemen would be necessary. The three railroads (A. C. L., S. A. L.?
and G. C. & P. ) are all affected by the high waters and the companies
should be very much interested in the subject.
COAST SECTION OF THE COUNTY
Several of the largest farms on the coast were visited, being reached
by buggy and train, and were given a personal inspection. The
section is located on the Atlantic Ocean about 50 miles south of
Savannah and 20 miles north of Brunswick. Darien, with a popula-
tion of about 1,000 persons, is the only town of any size. Most of
the investigations were conducted from this place. The country is
for the most part high, sandy land with a gradual slope toward the
ocean. It is cut up by many tidewater creeks and swamps which
greatly facilitate drainage.
58 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
There is no main drainage channel in this section, but there are
three rivers. The Altamaha, which is the largest, flows from the
upper part of the State. The Sapelo and South Newport rivers can
hardly be called more than tidewater creeks.
The soil is mostly sandy in the vicinity of Darien, with loam or
clay in some places. Farther north, the soil changes to more of a
light clay.
The farms are mostly well drained, for they have natural drainage,
but in some instances this has been helped by the construction of
small surface ditches emptying into tidewater.
The farming conditions in this section of the country are very sim-
ple and agriculture is practiced only to a small extent. There are
three or four farms near Darien and some small ones in the north-
eastern section of the county near the South Newport Eiver. Fair
crops seem to be raised, being mostly corn, sweet potatoes, and sugar
cane.
The transportation facilities are very fair. Darien is connected
with the other parts of the county by very good roads, one railroad—
the Georgia Coast and Piedmont, which runs along this section of
the coast — and by private boats through the inland creeks.,
There are but few white men in this section and most of them have
nice homes, which were at one time the centers of plantations, but
agriculture now seems to be in a somewhat languishing condition.
There is very little drainage needed in this section, as most of the
farms are well drained, but there is some swamp land in the locality
that could be drained and put in condition to cultivate. A portion of
this section which is in the "flat clay lands" will be included in the
district to be formed there.
Telfair County1
BY J. R. HASWELL
Assistant Drainage Engineer U. S. Department of Agriculture
DESCRIPTION
Telfair County is in the south-central part of Georgia. It is
roughly diamond shaped with the short diagonal pointing north. The
northwest boundary is a straight line dividing it from Dodge County.
The northeast boundary is Gum Swamp, and the Ocmulgee River
forms the irregular southern boundary.
The Seaboard Air Line Railway crosses the north corner of the
county, and the Southern Railway passes from the north to the east
corner. Steamboats make regular trips on the Ocmulgee River be-
tween Hawkinsville and Lumber City, and at certain seasons boats
run as far up the river as Macon. This river navigation has delayed
the building of a railroad through the southern part of the county.
A lumber railroad extending west from Lumber City is now used to
some extent for handling freight. Sand-clay roads are being built
throughout the county, but as not enough attention is paid to main-
tenance, long stretches of sand beds are often met with.
The Soil Survey of Dodge County by the Bureau of Soils, U. S.
Department of Agriculture, describes the topography as that of a
gently rolling plain, cut by sluggish streams; and the same can be
said of the north part of Telfair County. The land along the Ocmul-
gee is swampy and is frequently overflowed. In some places the over-
flowed land is several miles wide. Between the swamp and the high
lands there are what are known as "second level" lands or "flat
woods.7' The wet flats along the larger streams are also called "flat
woods" but are not the same as the "second level" lands.
'Field Examination made March. 1911.
59
GO DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
FARMING CONDITIONS
This county has made great strides in the past few years in the
way of improvements. This is best shown in the type of building
used for homes. Mud and stick chimneys are fast going into disuse,
glazed windows are becoming common, and some land owners are
painting their houses, even those occupied by colored hired help.
Woven wire fences are increasing rapidly, and higher grade cattle
are being introduced.
The well-drained ridges are the favorite location for farms and
as all the high land is not settled yet, the flats have remained almost
untouched. A few persons have been attracted by the fertility of the
flats and their freedom from washing in heavy rains, and have cleared
and planted certain sections. When the clay subsoil has been near
the surface, and the land properly managed, the money invested has
brought large returns. At present only about one half of the 423
square miles in the county is cultivated, and of the uncultivated land,
roughly one half is in timber suitable for lumbering. The farmers
usually state their profit to be from 10 to 20 per cent, on the invest-
ment.
The majority of the owners live on their places and rent most of
the land out to negroes. A few hire help and manage their own
land. Settlers are coming into the State in large numbers and the
large farms are being divided into smaller tracts. It is possible that
a few of the farmers would cultivate some of their lands which
might be reclaimed by drainage, but the greater part will probably
have to be occupied by imported settlers.
SOIL
The soils in the county can be roughly divided into three classes,
red pebbly land, sand, and muck.
The red pebbly land belongs to the Norfolk and T if ton series ; the
only readily distinguished difference between the two is that the
Tifton sandy loam has more clay in the subsoil than the Norfolk,
which results in a much stronger soil. The number of iron con-
TELFAIR COUNTY 61
cretions, or red pebbles, is usually taken as a measure of the fertility
of the soil in this section. As the clay washes out of the topsoil more
is brought up by the plow from the subsoil. The humus content is
generally lower than it should be, because the continued exclusive use
of commercial fertilizers has in many cases reduced the original store.
The type of land in question is best adapted to corn and cotton. The
Tifton sandy loam is one of the best cotton soils known.
Sand occurs in sandhills and in stream valleys. The sandhills
are almost sterile and are of little use. The flats along the streams
are for the most part composed of sand, with a little muck mixed in.
Other formations show a layer of muck underlain by deep sand of a
coarse texture, which is almost free from any organic matter. The
combination of muck and sand has produced good corn crops when
care was taken not to deplete the store of humus. When it has once
gone down in fertility this soil is very hard to get back to productive-
ness. It can not be built up as readily as some other formations and
for this reason the drainage of the wet bottoms will naturally be
delayed till the better soil is all taken up.
The greatest amount of humus is in the muck in the river swamp.
This stretch of low land is technically speaking more overflow land
than swamp. It contains a number of sloughs and ponds which have
the richest land in them to be found in the county. Some farmers
carry muck from the swamp and mix it with stable manure. The
main part of the swamp is a fine silt loam which is far richer than
any soil in the uplands. The erosion process which built up the
swamp appears to take place as follows: The soil on the ridges is
washed into the streams and the larger sand particles are deposited
in the flat woods in the upper part of the watershed. The finer par-
ticles are carried down to the low lands and are deposited on the flats
where the water is shallow and almost still. Thus the cream of the
hills has been building up the low land for ages. A part of the
swamp was cultivated before the Civil War and made good crop?
except in years when freshets drowned out the crops.
62 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
WATERSHEDS
The drainage from the entire county finally reaches the Ocmulgee
River. What does not enter the Ocmulgee direct is carried there
through the Little Ocmulgee River which is better known as Gum
Swamp, the junction of the two streams being a little below Lumber
City, at the eastern corner of the county. The combined drainage
area of the Ocmulgee is about 6,000 square miles, of which 640 square
miles drains into Gum Swamp. The divide between them starts at
Lumber City and passes through Neilly and Milan, having a general
northwesterly direction which can readily be seen from the map which
accompanies this report.
The Big Ocmulgee receives the water from Big Horse Creek which
is the largest stream within the county. Horse, Cat, and Alligator
creeks are tributaries of the Big Horse, the total area of the watershed
being 146.8 square miles of which 12.2 square miles are in Dodge
County. A number of smaller streams drain into the river directly ;
of these McRae Branch is of note as a survey of its channel has been
made by this Office, and it is proposed to construct a system of lateral
drains to improve the flat woods draining into the branch.
The Little Ocmulgee River drains the upper part of the county
chiefly by way of its tributaries, the most important of which is Sugar
Creek whose watershed exclusive of Turnpike Creek contains 47.6
square miles in this county and 49.2 square miles in Dodge. Turn-
pike Creek is a branch of Sugar Creek and has a watershed contain-
ing 59.2 square miles in Telfair County and 18.0 square miles in
Dodge. The stream channels in this watershed (Little Ocmulgee)
are the worst in the county. A photograph is given of the condition
of Gum Swamp about 21 miles above the junction with the Big Oc-
mulgee. When the lumbering interests were important in this sec-
tion a channel was cut out through the swamp. Most of the work con-
sisted in removing the overhanging trees and vines. There is little
indication at present of any work ever having been done on the
channel.
TELFAIR COUNTY 63
Lines of levels were run out to Gum Swamp from the U. S. Geo-
logical Survey's bench marks at McRae and Lumber City, and read-
ings taken on the water surface. A line was also run to Sugar Creek.
Bench marks !N"os. 1 to 3, inclusive, were established. See descriptions
at the end of this report. The leveling was done with a transit and
the results should be close enough for a preliminary examination.
The distance between the bridges on Gum Swamp where the read-
ings were taken is almost exactly 20 miles. The fall was found to
be 84.9 feet, making 4.24 feet fall per mile. This is ample if the
channel had a good cross-section.
Assuming a uniform fall in Gum Swamp, the fall in Sugar Creek
between McRae and Gum Swamp is 94.7 feet. The distance is 17.5
miles, making a fall of 5.41 feet per mile.
The office of the Army Engineers at Brunswick, very kindly sup-
plied some data which they had taken along the Ocmulgee River.
Their data is given under bench marks at the end of this report.
The results showed an average fall of 0.93 foot per mile between
Jacksonville Ferry and McRae Branch. It will be of interest to note
that a common saying in the locality is that one mile on land equals
three on water. This is due to the fact that the trails are almost
straight and the channel is very crooked. A few cut-offs would help
the run-off very much and the possibilities of such can be seen on the
map which accompanies this report. As the watershed is only a
little over 30 miles wide and is about 175 miles long, the effect of a
severe storm is not so great as if the shape resembled a fan.
RAINFALL AXD RUX-OFF
The average annual rainfall in this section of the State is slightly
above 50 inches. The maximum and minimum precipitation at At-
lanta for the period investigated was 59.77 inches in 1901 and 33.13
inches in 1904. Atlanta is on the divide at the head of the stream
and has about 3 inches greater average annual precipitation than the
lower sections of the watershed. A list of storms of two inches and
over in 24 hours is given for Atlanta, Macon, Eastman, and Hawkins-
64 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
ville, from January, 1901, to June, 1909. These stations are lo-
cated at favorable places in the watershed and give a good idea of
flood conditions. A storm covering a large area, and of sufficient
intensity to make the river overflow into the swamp, only comes
every three or four years. The rest of the rain is fairly evenly
distributed.
A gaging station of U. S. Geological Survey has been main-
tained at Macon since 1895. The factor showing the ratio of run-off
to rainfall is irregular for periods of less than one year. The yearly
coefficient is from .30 to .37 while the monthly value varies greatly.
In dry spells the run-off may be greater than the rainfall and in wet
months the coefficient goes as high as .70.
I
T ELF AIR COUNTY
65
STORMS OF Two INCHES AND OVER PER 24 Ho UBS FROM JANUARY,
1901 TO JUNE, 1909.
DATE
Inches of
Rain in
24 Hours
STATION
DATE
Inches of
Rain in
24 Hours
STATION
1901
1905
Jan 11
2.37
Atlanta
Feb. 12
3 20
Hawkinsville
Feb. 3
2.58
Atlanta
Aug. 9
2 08
Eastman
Mch. 26
2.25
Atlanta
Dec. 2
4.60
Atlanta
Mch. 26
2.88
Macon
Dec. 8
2.00
Hawkinsville
Mch. 30
2.35
Hawkinsville
1906
Apr. 13
2.56
Atlanta
Jan. 3
2.09
Atlanta
Apr. 2
2.45
Macon
Jan. 23
2.84
Macon
May 21
4.13
Atlanta
Mch. 14
2.50
Atlanta
May 21
2.04
Eastman
Mch. 19
2.49
Atlanta
June 12
2.15
Eastman
May 25
2.06
Atlanta
Aug. 22
3 66
Atlanta
June 12
3 01
Atlanta
Sept. 17
2.30
Atlanta
June 12
3 78
Macon
Sept. 18
2 28
Macon
June 5
3 63
Eastman
Sept. 18
2.10
Eastman
June 13
2.22
Eastman
Sept. 17
4.10
Hawkinsville
July 17
2.82
Atlanta
Dec. 29
2.99
Atlanta
July 19
2.17
Eastman
Dec. 14
2.20
Macon
Aug. 29
2.27
Eastman
1902
Oct. 1
2.56
Macon
Mch. 16
2.12
Macon
1907
Mch. 14
2.05
Eastman
Feb. 4
2.01
Atlanta
Mch. 15
1.96
Eastman
Dec. 14
'2.15
Eastman
Mch. 16
2.47
Eastman
Dec 13
2.70
Hawkinsville
July 24
2.02
Macon
Dec. 22
2.20
Hawkinsville
July 12
2.12
Eastman
iqno
July 13
July 14
July 15
July 11
July 12
Oct. 26
Dec. 16
1 80
2 06
1 25
2 35
1.43
3.70
2.20
Eastman
Eastman
Eastman
Hawkinsville
Hawkinsville
Hawkinsville
Atlanta
i y uo
Jan. 7
Jan. 7
Feb. 1
Mch. 23
Mch. 23
Mch. 24
Mch. 22
2.76
2.35
H.52
3.72
2.20
2.91
2.74
Eastman
Helena
Eastman
Macon
Eastman
Eastman
Hawkinsville
1903
Mch. 23
3.00
Hawkinsville
Feb. 7
2 45
Atlanta
Apr. 24
2.73
Atlanta
May 14
2.60
Hawkinsville
Apr. 14
2.16
Macon
June 4
2.41
Atlanta
Apr. 26
3 04
Macon
June 3
3.50
Hawkinsville
Apr. 15
2 07
Eastman
July 6
2.18
Macon
Apr. 23
8.18
Eastman
Aug. 1
3.60
Hawkinsville
July 5
2 3S
Atlanta
Sept. 13
3.00
Hawkinsville
" <J"*V
Aug. 25
2.82
Macon
1904
Sept. 5
2.61
Hawkinsville
Feb. 9
2 63
Hawkinsville
1909
June 21
2.30
Hawkinsville
Jan. 63 (days)
4.18
Hawkinsville
July 24
2.35
Eastman
Feb. 9
2 11
Atlanta
Aug. 8
3.75
Atlanta
Feb. 9
3.67
Macon
Aug. 1
. 2.85
Eastman
Feb. 10
2 74
Hawkinsville
1905
Mch. 9
2.29
Atlanta
Feb. 12
3.61
Macon
Mch. 12
2.05
Atlanta
Feb. 13
2 92
Eastman
Mch. 21
4.20
Hawkinsville
Feb. 11
3.60
Hawkinsville
60 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
TABLE SHOWING THE GREATEST RAINFALL IN 24 CONSECUTIVE
HOURS IN GEORGIA FOR THE YEARS 1901-1909.
1901 — Americus, September 17-18 8.80 inches
1902 — Woodbury, February 27 9.18
1903 — Thomasville, September 13-14 8.40
1904 — Savannah, July 28-29 6.42
1905 — St. Mary's, October 7 6.42
1906— Blakely, June 12 7.00 "
1907 — Fleming, June 13 6.05
1908— Elberton, August 25 9.60 "
1909 — Quitman, July 1-2 5.55
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS
The project which offers the greatest opportunities is the river
swamp. A levee, pierced with sluices, is required with possibly back
levees along Big Horse Creek. The average height would be only
about seven feet. There are parts of Coffee Bluff which, so far as
known, have never been under water, and at Jacksonville Landing
the greatest known stage has only been about four feet above the
banks. The level of the stream varies about thirteen feet between low
and high water. At the time of the examination the water was low
and was about six feet below normal. There is a hill on the south
bank of the river at Cooper's Ferry which rises about 75 feet above
the river. The only thing to compare with this on the Telfair side
is a mound, a few miles above Jacksonville and several hundred yards
from the river bank. Reports state that it contains about five acres
and that it is 20 feet above high water. Indian pottery is said to
have been found on it. The land back from the river is high enough
to drain by gravity at ordinary stages but will have to have inter-
cepting ditches to take off the surplus water in wet years. Some
land along the edge of the swamp gives excellent returns except in
wet seasons, and all that is needed is a ditch above it to make the
crops certain. The swamp land would probably increase in value
from about $4 to $100 per acre.
The next project in the order of magnitude is the "flat woods" in
the lower part of the county. These are dry during most of the
T ELF AIR COUNTY 67
year, but in wet seasons they are several feet under water. The
deepening of stream channels and the opening of outlets for ponded
places are all that are needed. Intercepting ditches on the uphill
side of flats would be found to be of advantage, and tile drains
through low places should give good results. The soil has been de-
scribed under "sand" and contains a little muck. Where sand has
been washed and forms considerable depth the practicability of ex-
pending large sums of money for improvements can be seriously
questioned. There are about 40 square miles of "flat woods" in
the county. The value of the land is about $4 per acre but it would
be worth about $25 if drained.
The improvement of the smaller stream channels will open up a
number of tracts of land on farms which are now occupied. Gum
Swamp offers the greatest opportunity. From Lumber City up the
channel is good for several miles, but from there on dredging is
badly needed. The bridge over the swamp at McRae is 1,056 feet
long and freshets spread to a much greater width.
Sugar Creek has a number of wet flats along it and would offer
fair returns for improvements. The watershed is comparatively
thickly settled, and also has the added advantage of being near the
railroads. Good roads are also numerous. Turnpike Creek, a branch
of Sugar Creek, does not offer as great inducements as the latter.
Tt does not run through as good a section, particularly at its head.
The soil is not so good and it is far inland.
Big Horse Creek has less overflowed land along it than the other
streams. It is farther inland and is not near enough to the river to
have an easy haul. It does not appear to be as large a project as those
previously mentioned. The removal of trees and brush from the
channel would be very beneficial. The same might be said of all the
streams, but a dredged channel is needed on some to make a complete
success.
The opportunity for the successful location of tile drains is one
of the best in the State. There is enough fall to insure free opera-
tion, the soil is open, permitting a wide lateral drainage, and the
68 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
topography is such that long single lines will do the most good.
Intercepting drains on the uphill side of bays and main lines in the
bottoms of swales are what are most needed. The substitution of
poles in the place of tile has been practiced. The quality of labor
and the lack of proper supervision have resulted in failure to some
of the pole drains. No tile has been used and there are few people in
the county who can lay it. There are also very few leveling instru-
ments, mostly cheap farm levels being used for terracing.
On the whole the people look upon drainage as an unnecessary ex-
pense. They have all the high land that they can manage and very
little capital to work with.
APPENDIX
No.
1
.14
15
Elev. above
mean sea.
112.84
153.20
205.40
103.53
107.48
BENCH MARKS
DESCRIPTION.
On Little Ocmulgee River at Lumber City. South comer
of new bridge one-half mile east of town, top of bolt on
bearing plate anchorage. Top of bolt was 0.37 feet
above concrete in steel tube abutment.
Gum Swamp at McRae. Road northeast from town, one
mile out, north side; 120 feet southwest of bridge over
swamp; R. R. spike set vertically in a four-foot pine
tree, west side near ground.
Sugar Creek at McRae. East corner of bridge, one mile
south of town. Water oak one foot in diameter 13 feet
from bridge; R. R. spike driven horizontally into tree,
four feet above ground on north side of tree.
BENCH MARKS ON OCMULGEE RIVER, SET BY WAR
DEPARTMENT.
"R. R. spike driven horizontally into base (one foot above
ground) 28-inch red oak at McRae's Landing. Tree
stands by side of road leading out from landing and is
185 feet from north bank of river; also is north 29 deg.
40 min. west, 181 feet from iron pipe, station No. 176,
marked 'X.'
12.9 feet above local low water at bench mark. Mileage
15 5-20ths.
"R. R. spike driven horizontally into base of 12-inch
white oak tree; 'X' cut in tree three feet above spike.
Tree stands 100 feet from north bank of river at
Slangleter's Bluff and is 630 feet above station 1149.
12 feet above local low water at bench mark. Mileage
20 3-20ths.
TELFAIR COUNTY
C9
15-A 103.03
16
17
18
19
20
21
109.13
112.94
124.39
122.29
126.59
137.17
G.S.
G.S.
145.478
229.325
" 'X' cut in top of large boulder in edge of water, 10 feet
from south bank of river near point about 300 feet
above Berkett's Landing, 20 feet down-stream from
station No. 1139.
6.5 feet above local low water at bench mark. Mileage 22.
"R.R. spike horizontally in base 30-inch cypress at Dodges
Old Boon Landing. Stands north 17° east 38' from
station No. 1119 and 45' irom north bank of river;
marked 'X.'
8.8 feet above local low water at bench mark. Mileage 25.
"R. R. spike in base 18-inch oak about one foot above
ground. Tree stands 55 feet from bank of river on
north side and is about 125 feet below station 1106.
Mouth of Horse Creek about 1,000 feet below.
10.5 feet above local low water at bench mark. Mileage
27 15-20ths.
';R. R. spike in base of 12-inch oak on Scuffle Bluff 150
feet from bank on upper end of bluff near wagon road
180 feet west of station No. G9 marked 'X.'
17.1 feet above local low water at bench mark. Mileage
34 4-20ths.
"R. R. spike in base of 30-inch white oak about 1% feet
above ground, 65 feet from bank at Bear Lake Land-
ing and south 64% feet east 141 feet from station No.
1046.
10.7 feet above local low water at bench mark. Mileage
38 12-20ths.
"R. R. spike in 30-inch oak iy2 feet above ground, 40
feet from bank at upper end of Coffee Bluff Landing
Landing and 50 feet below slough, 135 feet west of
station No. 1016, marked 'X.'
9.2 feet above local low water at bench mark. Mileage
43 15-20ths.
"R. R. spike in base of 36-inch basket or post oak and
two feet above ground, 161' north 19° 30' east of iron
pipe, station No. 973 at Jacksonville Landing, 170' from
river bank.
13.2 feet above local low water at bench mark. Mileage
51 6-20ths."
U. S. G. S. mark at Lumber City, 200 feet east of the
Southern Ry. station, 52 feet north of the center of
the main track, 26 feet southwest of corner of barber
shop, and 3% feet west of a chinaberry tree.
U. S. G. S. mark at McRae, eight feet east of platform of
old station, one foot east of the telegraph pole nearest
the freight platform west of road at station, and 32 feet
south of the center of the main track.
The Proposed Drainage Improvement of the
McRae Branch, Telfair County
BY J. R. HASWELL,
Assistant Drainage Engineer U. S. Department of Agriculture
INTRODUCTION
In the latter part of February, 1910, the attention of the U. S.
Department of Agriculture was called to some land in the lower part
of Telfair County. A representative of the Bureau of Soils was sent
to the farm of Judge Max L. McRae to make an examination of the
soil in both the high and low parts of the farm. The low lands
needed drainage more than anything else and the assistance of Drain-
age Investigations, Office of Experiment Stations, was therefore re-
quested, so that plans could be made for their reclamation. Mr.
J. Y. Phillips, Assistant Drainage Engineer, made a preliminary
examination of the low "flat woods" on August 2 and 3, 1910, and
recommended that a survey be made. As Judge McRae stated that
he was ready and willing to drain his land, the request for the survey
was granted and J. R. Haswell, Assistant Drainage Engineer, was
assigned to the work. After a talk with Judge McRae it was de-
cided to stake out only enough lines to require a carload of tile.
This tile work is the subject of another report. It was also decided
not to stake out any ditches in the "flat woods" on account of the
necessity of forming a drainage district and the lack of an adequate
drainage law, under which to form the district. Enough data was
secured for the area drained by McRae Branch to enable the drafting
of plans and to serve as a basis for an estimate of cost.
January, 1911.
71
72 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND AREA
The McKae Branch is in the eastern part of Telfair County, two
miles west of Lumber City. The Southern Kailway crosses the
county near its northeastern boundary and connects Lumber City
with the Seaboard Air Line, via Helena.
The shape of the watershed is roughly a rectangle with the corners
cut off, and it contains about 2,400 acres. The upper end is at the
Lumber City road and the outlet is into the Big Ocmulgee River.
NATURAL DRAINAGE CHANNELS
The Branch extends through the middle of the watershed with
numerous bays and prongs extending out to either side. The bays
in the flat areas connect with each other in many instances without
the water passing into the main channel. This gives a number of
possible arrangements for drainage channels which will be discussed
under "Plan Proposed for Drainage Improvement."
The size of the channel is variable. In places the water runs in a
gully ten feet below the general surface of the country, and in others
there is no channel at all. Some places were found where the channel
had been built up higher than the land on the side. This was due
to the choked condition of the stream, which caused the water to stand
and deposit the sediment brought down from the higher cultivated
land. The average fall in the channel is 0.5 feet per 100, so that
if it were cleared out there would be little ditching required in the
places where the bottom is far enough below the general surface.
Where the stream has no deep water course it will be necessary to dig
a ditch to sufficient depth to lower the ground water at least three
feet in the farthermost corner reached by the lateral drains.
Overflow conditions are serious most of the year except in the late
fall and early winter. Practically the whole surface of the "flat
woods" is wet. Over the greater part water stands from one to two
feet in depth. There is generally a slight current, showing a flow
toward the Branch, though the course is often very roundabout.
Good drainage channels would soon remove this surface water.
McRAE BRANCH 73
Figure 8 shows the head of the bay southwest of Judge Max
L. McRae's farm buildings. It has an elevation of 163.1 and is
shown on the map. The bay is at the extreme left, its east edge
being in the margin of the picture. The center of the picture shows
a cotton field extending down to the "edge of flat woods" and at the
right hand edge of the picture can be seen the main channel of McRae
Branch. The thick timber is in the channel and the cut-off at the
upper end of the main ditch runs through the scattered timber seen
beyond the field.
XATUBAI. SURFACE CONDITIONS
The cleared areas are usually on ridges which slope down to bay?
or stream channels. The nearer the base of the ridge is approached
the wetter the land becomes. The crests of the ridges are sometime?
broad enough for a fair size field, but most of the cultivated land is
on hillsides which wash readily. There is no terracing practiced.
The river road is on a ridge for part of the distance shown on the
map. The land adjacent to it is cultivated in some places. The
cleared area at the head of McRae Branch which would not be bene-
fited by proposed improvements is about 550 acres. Most of this is
high land which is cultivated and the rest is stream channels which-
only need cleaning out in order to drain the seepy areas along them.
There are less than 200 acres scattered in small plots in the neighbor-
hood of the river road, which are cleared and high enough for cultiva-
tion. This would leave a remainder of 1,650 acres of "flat woods"
which need better drainage channels.
CROPS AND LAND VALUES
The staple crop of this section is cotton, with an occasional field of
corn. The cotton produces from one half to one 500-pound bale
per acre and the corn from 13 to 30 bushels to the acre, depending
upon the progressiveness of the farmer. Some oats and velvet beans
are also grown. The gross value of the cotton crop is about $40 per
acre, while the other crops are usually fed to the farm animals. The
74 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
"flat woods" land can be bought for from $1.00 to $4.00 per acre.
High land that is dry enough to cultivate and that is cleared will
bring $30 per acre.
SOIL
The soil has been treated of in the report made by Mr. H. H.
Bennett, of the Bureau of Soils, and only a brief description is given
here. The soil has been named the Tifton sandy loam. The sand
content is about 80 per cent., with about 60 per cent, in the subsoil.
It is said that the mechanical make-up is ideal for the crops grown
but that the vegetable content is too low. This is very important in
connection with drainage. The organic matter would cause the
absorption by the soil of a greater proportion of the rainfall and
would hold the moisture for the use of plants during dry spells.
DESCRIPTION OF SURVEY
A traverse line was run up the entire length of the main channel
of McEae Branch, compass and stadia being used, and levels were
taken with the level on the telescope of the transit. Junction points
with bays, etc., were recorded, and where it was possible without the
expenditure of too much time the length and direction of the branch
channel were found.
The traverse line was connected to the lot corners of the squares
into which this part of the state is divided. This division of the land
is very irregular in the section covered. An actual survey had
recently been made of the land owned by Judge McRae and concrete
corner posts had been set. Readings were taken on most of these
posts and the lot lines extended to cover the rest of the area. The
river road was extended toward the west by making use of the new
county map supplemented by pacing and a hand compass. The wa-
tershed lines were run in a similar manner. The mile posts are lo-
cated as they were actually found and not as shown on the county
map. The Ocmulgee River Lumber Company's tram railroad was
located from the instrument traverse of the main channel and from
the foot traverse of the west watershed line. The part of the line
McRAE BRANCH 75
near the middle of lot 230 was not located and is only shown on
the map in order to connect the two parts actually surveyed. The
road is only a temporary affair which will be removed as soon as the
timber is exhausted.
A traverse line was run with the instrument across the lower edge
of the cultivated land in order to connect the lot corners and also
to get the elevations of the bay heads, which would give the fall in
the stream channels. The party consisted of the engineer and a
farm hand as rodman, when the instrument was used. A rodman
was not necessary for foot traversing with a hand compass.
Bench-marks were set as per the list at the end of this report.
These should be easily located on the ground and are accurately,
located on the map. They start with the U. S. Army Engineers'
bench at the river, which elevation was assumed to be 100 feet. The
others are all referred to this bench-mark.
The survey was made during what was said to be the longest cold
snap in the last fifteen years. This put a limit on the amount of data
secured. The rodman was not used to working in ice water, which
made the work even harder. It was not desired to stake out the
ditches, as the lumbering operations in progress would soon knock out
the stakes. The location can easily be had from the following notes :
The outlet is at the junction of the main channel and the bay from
the east, 1,500 feet below the log railroad. The ditch passes 50 feet
southwest of "B. M.-3" and about 100 feet northeast of lot corner
229-230-239-240. The point whose elevation is 1$3.1, at the head
of the tangent, is marked by a hub. The cut-off starts 120 feet west
of lot corner 228-229-240-241 and discharges into the ditch at the
head of the tangent. The above will aid in the location survey at
the time of construction, when grade stakes should be set in order to
get accurate dredging.
PLAX PROPOSED FOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT
The object of constructing a drainage system is to make the lands
under consideration drv enough for cultivation. This is done by lower-
76 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
ing the water table from the surface, where it now stands, to a depth
suitable for plant growth ; i. e., about two or three feet. In order to
secure a wider possible spacing of lateral ditches they should be four
feet deep.
It is proposed to start the main ditch a little to the west of the center
of lot 238. From this point to the river the branch has a well defined
channel with a good fall. The only improvement required would be to
clean out the brush and trees which prevent the free passage of water.
The bottom of the ditch will be at the surface of the ground at the
outlet and should be six feet deep at the junction of the East Branch.
This depth will insure the drainage of the low ponds and the farthest
' corners reached by the lateral system. The track of the Ocmulgee River
Lumber Company's lumber road is several feet above the general surface
of the ground at the point where it crosses the proposed ditch, so that a
culvert with its bottom at least seven feet below the top of the rails
should be built. The exact elevation of the bottom can be had at the
time of construction and should be such as will allow a true grade
from the junction of the East Branch with the main ditch, to the
outlet of the main ditch. This culvert should be large enough to
take the heaviest storm without backing up the water; otherwise the
crops on the flat fields would be drowned out.
The main ditch continues straight on from the -junction with the East
Branch for a distance of 3,470 feet, making a total length of 5,680 feet
for the straight part of the channel. From the railroad to the end of
the tangent there* is no channel worth considering. From the railroad
to the outlet the channel is well defined but is crooked and full of trees.
The location as shown on the map will eliminate the crooks, do away
with costly grubbing, and put the ditch on land which has practically
the same elevation as the channel. The elevation of the junction of the
two ditches above the railroad was not found during the survey. The
land is so flat that an assumption of the elevation cannot be very far
wrong. The value given in the table of data is believed to be within 0.3
of a foot of the actual elevation. The old channel, 600 feet northeast of
U.S.OEPT Of AGRICULTURE OFFlCt OF EXPERIMENT STAS
DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS.
PROPOSED DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT
MSRAE BRANCH
TELFAIR Co.,G*
To »i company a report By
J-RHASWELL, Assistant Dra.nage Engineer
made under th« direct. on of
C.G.ELLIOTT, Chief of Dram«q Investiqationa.
MAP OF McRAE VALLEY, TELPAIR COUNTY
McRAE BRANCH 77
the junction, is one foot lower than the junction, but a depth of six feet
at the latter will provide a sufficient depth where the old channel is
crossed by the East Branch near the center of lot 239.
At the end of the long tangent the main ditch turns toward the right
and extends for 1,620 feet further, making a total length of 7,300 feet.
This section of ditch is a cut-off across a bend in the channel. It con-
nects a string of ponds which are below the level of the channel. Much
less excavation will be required in this location and very little clearing
off of timber will be necessary. The old channel is very thickly over-
grown with timber and underbrush at this point.
The East Branch is shown extending over to lot 276. It is more than
probable that complete data along the northeast water-shed line would
show that the East Branch could be extended to reclaim land which now
drains to the east into Gum Swamp.
There should be at least two lateral ditches about 1,000 feet apart,
extending about northwest from the East Branch. These should be a*
straight as the land permits in that they should follow along the natural
channels and low places except where this location would make unde-
sirable crooks in the ditches.
There was no exact data obtainable for the area west of the channel.
The gulley, which is about 1,000 feet north of the river road, furnishes
fair drainage for the land on either side. It is deep enough to serve
as an outlet for small ditches of tile drains. . If the upper end were
cleared out it would serve as an outlet for a large ditch running near the
lot line between ^STOS. 192 and 231. The length of this ditch would
depend on the possibility of draining the land near the railroad. Obser-
vations made when the channel traverse and the water-shed lines were
run would indicate that this location is possible and that on this line,
with another ditch having a northwesterly direction up the middle of
lot 230, would afford good drainage for this section.
The land north of the railroad and west of the diteh can be treated in
several ways. The one plan easiest to handle would be to deepen the
natural channel which diverges slightly from the railroad and starts
78 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
about 700 feet above the junction of the two ditches shown on the map.
It should extend almost to the water-shed line, as it will act as an inter-
cepting drain to remove the water that would seep out on to the land
below. It would be well in this connection to throw the earth excavated
on the down-hill side of the ditch, where it would act as a levee.
A ditch along the edge of the flat woods is necessary in order to take
off the water which comes down from the higher, cultivated lands. The
drainage of the land between this last ditch and the one north of the
railroad is a problem which can only be worked out after much con-
sideration of more data than was at hand when this report was written.
There are several ridges in this area which could be cultivated after
the two mentioned ditches are dug. The land between these ridges will
need small ditches before it can be profitably worked.
This area west of the channel will be the last to be improved, so that
it did not receive as much attention as the better located areas. Before
any work is done it would be well to investigate the possibilities of a
ditch along the southwest side of lots 229 and 230, possibly extending
into lot 231 and discharging into the stream shown on the map.
A drainage coefficient of three fourths of an inch of water to be
removed from the water-shed in 24 hours will give 30 square feet for
the required cross-section of the main channel. As depth is the con-
trolling factor in this case the carrying capacity of the ditch will be
ample.
The method of construction will determine the size of the channel.
The depth should be six feet for the greater part of the main ditch. Side
slopes no steeper than one horizontal to one vertical should be used.
The minimum width of bottom that can be constructed by farm labor is
two feet, which makes a top width of 14 feet. This gives a cross-section
of 48 square feet and 177 yards of excavation per 100 feet of ditch. At
25 cents per yard this would give a cost af $44.25 per 100 feet.
If a small dipper dredge could be found with which to do the work it
might be possible to lower the cost of hand labor. The cost of moving
the machine from one job to another is so great that the whole area
McRAE BRANCH 79
draining into McRae Branch should be ditched at one time if a dredge
is to be used. Even then it is doubtful if the work could be done much
cheaper than by hand labor. The ordinary size dredge constructs a1
minimum ditch with a bottom width of 16 feet and a top width of 22
feet with side slopes of one-half to one with a depth of six feet. This
minimum ditch has a cross-section of 114 square feet and requires 423
cubic yards of excavation per 100 feet of ditch. This minimum ditch
would take up considerable land and would be harder to keep clean.
The water flowing in it would have a much smaller velocity and would
drop sediment in the ditch. A dredge could do the work for 10 cents per
cubic yard, making the cost $42.30 per 100 feet.
Hand work at 25 cents will be used in the estimate of cost, although
the work should be done for less. Scrapers can be used for the first few
feet of cut, but as soon as the footing gets difficult it will be impossible
to use mules to pull the scrapers. There are few horses in the county.
The digging of small ditches by dynamite has recently been tried with
good success, so it is quite possible this might prove a cheap and effective
method in this case.
As the lumber company is taking out the large timber the clearing
problem will be very simple.
Work can be carried on at any season, except possibly November and
December, when the water may not collect in sufficient quantities to
float a dredge. If the work is done by hand winter is the best time, as
there will be less water. The soil will dig readily at any season. There
are neighborhood roads into Lumber City all along the line of work.
Shipments are made up the lumber railroad at $5.00 per car. The track
is standard gage.
BEXEFICIAL RESULTS
The proposed ditches will reclaim about 1,650 acres of land which i*
now practically useless except for scant pasturage. The land is rich in
humus and gives every indication of producing abundant crops. Mos-
quitoes are a pest and come principally from these flat woods. Cases
of malaria are very common. The drainage of this area under considera-
DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN QEOIHilA
tion would not only make available a large tract of land for farming
but would also make the neighborhood f:ir more healthful.
ESTIMATE OF COST
Main Ditch:
1,620 ft, below railroad, 74 cu. yds. per 100 feet, at 25c per yd. ... $ •
4,060 ft, average of 177 cu. yds. per 100 feet, at 25c. per cu. yd ---- 1,797
1,620 ft., above turn, average 129 cu. yds. per 100 ft., at 25c. per yd.
Bast Branch:
2,780 ft., average 150 cu. yds. per 100 ft, at 25c. per cu. yd ...... 1,042
Total work shown on map .................................. $3,661
Extensions to west:
2 miles ditch at |2,300 per mile ................................. 4,000
Laterals to East Branch:
6,500 ft., averaging 100 cu. yds. per 100 ft, at 25c. per.cu. yd ...... i.i>L':>
Total
Average cos! jvr acre, So.OO. for the l.tJ,*>0 acres of "tint woods'' to be
benefited, to which about 10 per cent, should be added for engineering
during construction.
The unit prieos are believed to bo ample :uul the work should fall
within the estimated cost. Similar scraper work in another section of
the country cost 15 cents. It would be well to advertise for bids in con-
tractors* journals as well as newspapers. Lower cost is usually had In
doing the work privately, without recourse to law. Tins is possible
if each property owner will willingly pay bis share of the cost.
DATA FOR MAIN PHVH
st».
Fttt
ELEVATIONS
Cut
Grade, ft.
per 100
REMARKS
Ground
Bottom Ditch
K$
1.6'JO
M10
3.096
(,680
r£oo
128.6
180 5
L3B.4
138 0
189.8
168.1
168.7
128.6
129.8
181.1
182.0
186.8
147.1
169 7
0
i •:
4.8
6.0
4 0
6.0
4.0
*0.168
•0
*0.77S
Or. of outlet channel 0 4 i< ,
B. M.-8
Junction with East Branch
Turn toward right
In bay
* Thia indicates a break in the grade.
in: \i\ u;/; />'/:< i, \
/'/< 177; l / / i<; i
'•"/;' :il>
KD LANDS AT J;D<;J; or FLAT WOODS. \J-HM; J',I:ANCU.
coi 'ROIA, jiJiA\«'ji A'J J;.\TI:I;MI; JM<;II'J
i\
VIC,
J'JfO'J-OOIJAJ'll J'.V .1. It IIASWKJJ.. 11»11
\jrLJ',j;jn:y JUVKJ: I',OJ{DJ;J{JN<; 'ini MJ-JJI i \I:M
• \. SHOWING \Al'J{ow STHAI«;MT BECTIOH OF
•J'JIi; S'J'JtKAM
<; ];u,i')-rj
McRAE BRANCH
81
No.
1
Eler. i
100.00
107.14
135.37
167.15
225.74
LIST OP BENCH MARKS
DESCBIPTION.
Between branch and landing, 185 feet north of bank ot
Ocmulgee River, 2%-foot black oak standing alone, one foot
up S. E. side of tree; railroad spike with lip pointing up.
There is a large X mark cut four feet above the ground on
the same side of the tree. This mark was set by the Army
Engineers in the survey of the Altamaha River system,
and is known as No. 14, McRae's Landing. It has an eleva-
tion of — feet above sea level.
North side of River Road, east bank of McRae Branch, three
feet north of foot log; one-foot black gum tree blazed on
east side, cut in root on east side.
Lumber railroad, at crossing of branch, 10 feet south of cen-
ter line of track at curve; 18-inch cypress tree with notch
in root on southeast side.
Stone corner between lots 228, 229, 240, 241, southwest of farm
1,000 feet below ford. On top of post
North side of Lumber City Road, about midway between J. C.
buildings of Max L. McRae, east of McRae Branch, about
Pittman's residence and the McRae farm lane, In front of
new cottage, most westerly tree of row along road; one-
foot black jack oak, spike in west side of tree near ground.
Drainage Plan for the Berry School Farm, Near Rome,
Floyd County1
BY L. L. HIDIXGER
Assistant Drainage Engineer U. S. Department of Agriculture
INTRODUCTION
The Berry School, located one and one-half miles from the city of
Rome, was founded by Miss Martha Berry for the purpose of instructing
the boys of the mountain districts in the conduct of farm and other
related work, so that when they return to their homes their influence will
be exerted in the betterment of the poorer class of agricultural people.
The school was started in a cottage and in six years has grown until
now there are several dormitories, a large recitation hall, farm buildings
and shops, and a domain of about one thousand acres of land. There
are about 175 boys in the school, ranging in age between fourteen and
twenty-five years. All are required to work two hours each day, their
labor being so systematized that the entire domestic and farm work is
performed by the boys of the school under the supervision of foremen
who have charge of the several departments.
During the year Miss Berry, the founder and manager of the school,
had conferred with the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and
with others in the same Department, regarding the work which is being
done by the school and the need of advice and plans for the under-
drainage of the farm. In accordance with Miss Berry's request, a pre-
liminary examination was made November 4, and the survey was started
November 9, 1908, for the purpose of locating and designing under-
drains for the wet lands of the school.
Purvey made 1908.
83
84 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
• DRAINAGE
The Berry School Farm is located in what was originally termed
the "Flat Woods." Its surface is a series of undulating slopes which
were at one time a level plain, but which are now creased by a small
valley with its drainage channel known as Dry Creek, and a number
of swales or draws which form the natural water courses for the
drainage of this and surrounding farms. The slopes of most of the
land are not what could be termed steep, but the soil is so finely
divided and of such a texture that gullies are of frequent occurrence
where the water is allowed to concentrate and follow a low place
for a considerable length of time. Where the water is compelled to
spread over a broad surface, the ground is seldom injured. There are.,
however, some recently acquired fields at the back of the farm which are
somewhat steep and whose slopes are depleted of fertility and gashed by
gullies, due to a lack of judicious farming.
The parts of the farm needing drainage are the valley and swales,
together with a few seepy places. These are naturally divided into
four separate systems, and are listed accordingly.
The soil in the wet parts of the farm is naturally the most productive
since it is built up of the lighter, more fertile particles that wash from
the surrounding slopes. It is a dull gray, finely divided, closely com-
pacted clay through which the water moves quite slowly. The underlying
strata are yellow clay, gravel and limestone. In the low places "limestone
sinks," that lead to underground passages for the water, are of frequent
occurrence. In some instances these sinks are the only natural outlets
from basins that would otherwise fill with water. Some of them will,
as far as known, dispose of all the water that gets to them, and should
in no instance be filled up with foreign matter.
SURVEYS
Dry Creek was meandered and the meander line used as a base for the
locations of all drains and fields. From Station 0 on the Dry Creek
meander, a line was run up a swale to the front field where the tile of
System No. 1 empties, and from there on up, the lengths of all lines of
VLOYD COUNTY 85
tile were carefully measured and angles and magnetic bearings read, and
such other field notes were taken as seemed necessary. Systems Nos.
2 and 3 were likewise carefully outlined and connected to the Dry Creek
meander line. The swale between the point of discharge of System
No. 3 and the creek was meandered. All three of these drainage systems
were located for immediate work; stakes were set every 100 feet on the
line, at each change in direction of the line, and at all junction points.
System No. 4 was carefully outlined, with distances and angles measured,
but only a few permanent stakes were set.
Levels were run over all tile lines, taking elevations every 100 feet.
On the first three systems, elevations were taken to hundredths of a foot
on top of the stakes, but on No. 4 all elevations were taken on the ground
to tenths of a foot. Elevations were also obtained at frequent intervals
over the entire farm and along Dry Creek. All levels were run with a
standard size Gurley transit, but were checked so frequently that an
error of any consequence was impossible.
Bench-marks were left at convenient points over the farm, all eleva-
tions being referred to an assumed datum. (See appended list.)
PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENT
The plans include a map and two profile sheets. The map shows all
•
lines of tile with distances and sizes recorded for each line and branch
line, the boundaries of fields, the location of roads and buildings, and
the elevation of the ground at numerous points. The profiles show the
grades, size of tile, depth of all lines of tile and the location of catch
basins.
It will not be profitable to try to prevent the overflow of Dry Creek,
since the lands adjacent are used for pasture and are not injured by a
slight overflow, and also since the expense of deepening it would be pro-
hibitive owing to the frequent occurrence of ledges of limestone that
lie near the surface of the ground and appear to extend across the valley.
Drainage System No. 1, composed entirely of tile, lies in the front
field and crosses the drive from the Summerville Road to the school
buildings. Its outlet is in a swale at the edge of the timber, about 500
86 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
feet south of Kecitation Hall. System No. 2, composed of an open ditch
and lines of tile, lies between the dairy barn, Glenwood, and the hospital.
The open ditch extends through the timber to the outlet of System
No. 3, which lies between the Eidmond Gap Koad, the Summerville
Koad, and the athletic field.
System No. 4 lies in the back field, known as the Gammon Farm,
and is composed entirely of tile. One of the mains empties into Dry
Creek and the other into a large "limestone sink/' which has never been
known to fill up with water. This tile will not be laid for some time,
£,nd careful observations are to be made by the school authorities as to
the probability of the sink proving inadequate to care for the water
delivered to it by Main No. 2. Should there be any question about it,
the following changes are to be made. Main No. 1 shall be composed
of 12-inch tile up to the junction of line B. The present line B (Main
No. 1) shall be extended to the intersection of Main No. 2 and line B
of Main No. 2, and shall be composed of 10-inch tile up to Station 6,
and from Station 6 on up of 8-inch tile. Line A of Main No. 2 shall
be connected with this 8-inch tile, and Main No. 2 shall not be con-
structed between the limestone sink and its junction with line B.
Owing to the condition and quality of the soil, it was considered
advisable to lay the lines of tile 60 feet apart in the froift field and 70
feet in the back field. The reason for laying them closer in the front
field is -the possibility of raising vegetables and other crops that require
more drainage than do corn and small grains.
A run-off of one half-inch depth in 24 hours from the entire area
drained, was allowed for in the design of sizes of tile,and catch basins
were placed in all low places where the water collected and in the bottom
of water-courses where gullies are liable to occur.
COST OF THE IMPROVEMENT
Since all the labor in the construction of the ditches, laying the tile,
hauling, etc., will be done by the students, and all plans are furnished
by the Department of Agriculture, the only cost to the school is the pur-
chase price of the tile. This amounts to a total of $558.39 (see list of
FLOYD COUNTY 87
tile in Appendix A) and underdrains 45 acres of land at a cost per acre
to the school of $12.41. It is confidently expected that on the whole
area underdrained the average returns from the land will be doubled
and that the cost of the tile will be returned to the school by increased
crops in two years of average rainfall or in one bad year.
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTING TILE DRAINS.
The lines for the ditches are indicated on the field by stakes which
have been set by the engineer, and the depths and grades given by him
shall constitute a part of these specifications.
Digging Trenches. The digging of each ditch must begin at its
outlet, or at its junction with another tile drain, and proceed toward
its upper end. The ditch must be dug along one side of survey stakes,
.and about ten inches distant from it, in a straight and neat manner,
and the top soil thrown on one side of the ditch and the clay on the
other. When a change in the direction of ditch is made it must be
done by means of a neat curve, but in all cases the ditch must be
kept near enough to the stakes so that they can be used in grading
the bottom. In taking out the last draft, the blade of the spade must
not go deeper than the proposed line, or bed upon which the tiles are
to rest.
Grading the Bottom. The ditch must be dug to the depth indicated
by the figures given with the survey, which depth is to be measured
from the grade stakes which are not for that purpose, and graded
evenly on the bottom by means of the "line and gage" method, or
"target," or any other equally accurate device for obtaining an even
and true bottom upon which to lay the tile. The bottom must be
dressed with the tile hoe, or in case of large tiles, with the shovel,
so that a groove will be made to receive the tile, and when laid in the
ditch they will remain securely in place.
Laying the Tile. The laying of the tile must begin at the lower
end and proceed up stream. The tile must be laid as closely as prac-
ticable, and in lines free from irregular crooks, the pieces being
turned about until the upper edge closes, unless there is sand or fine
silt which is likely to run into the tile, in which case the lower edge
88 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
must be laid close and the upper side covered with clay or other
suitable material. When, in making turns, or by reason of irregular
shaped tile, a crack of one fourth-inch or more is necessary left, it
must be securely covered with broken pieces of tile. Junctions with
branch lines must be carefully and securely made.
Blinding the Tile. After the tile have been laid and inspected by
the person in charge of the work, they must be covered with clay to
a depth of six inches, unless, in the judgment of the superintendent,
the tile are sufficiently firm so that complete filling of the ditch may
be made directly upon the tile. In no case must the tile be covered
with sand without other material being first used.
The Line Method. This consists of setting a line or wire directly
over the grade stakes at a given distance above the parallel to the
bottom of the proposed ditch. As the bottom is finished for the tile
it is tested by means of a gage which carries a light cross-bar sat at
a right angle to it. The line is stretched parallel to the grade line of
the ditch and five feet above it, which is a convenient height, and
tested by the gage, which is five feet long from the bottom to cross-
bar. The line should be supported at two or three points between
stations to prevent sagging.
To set the line, subtract the depth of the ditch at a given station
from the length of the gage to be used and set the line above the grade
stake the amount of this difference. Then the distance below the hub,
plus the distance above it to the line, equals the length of gage.
Another method of finding the point at which to set the line does
away with all mental subtraction of figures and the errors which may
arise from it. Take a stick the length of the proposed gage— in the
above case five feet— and graduate it to inches and quarter inches, be-
ginning at the top and numbering down. One-eighth inches can be
obtained by estimation. To use the measure at any grade peg, note the
cut or depth for that stake, find the same mark on the measure, set the
bottom end of the measure upon the grade peg and bring the line to
FLOYD COUNTY 89
this point. When the measure is placed upon any grade stake, the
position for the line is at the mark corresponding to the depth at that
stake.
CATCH BASINS OR INLETS
Catch basins or inlets shall be constructed, where indicated in the
plans, by filling the trench for a distance of five feet with crushed
rock, broken bricks, or cinders, the finest material to be placed imme-
diately over the tile and the coarsest on top. A layer of cinders, one
foot thick, immediately over the tile, with the remainder of the
opening filled with crushed rock or brick, would make an ideal inlet.
The surface of the ground should be sloped toward the inlets, to
allow the water to reach them easily. In case the inlets become
clogged with sediment, the material forming them should be removed
and cleaned.
PROTECTION OF OUTLETS
The outlet of each line of tile should be protected so that the tile will
not be undermined and washed out, and in such a way that animals
cannot enter the tile when there is no water flowing. A box, not less than
eight feet long, should be made of planks two inches thick and of such
size that the end of the tile will enter it. This box should be carefully
laid to grade and the earth should be securely tamped around it so that
the water will not seep out along the outside and undermine it. The
outer end should be protected by a substantial iron screen or by large
galvanized iron wires secured in a vertical position about two inches
apart.
ESTIMATE OF COST
Tile for Systems Nos. 1, 2 and 3:
13,835 feet 4-inch tile, at $17.00 per 1,000 feet $235.20
1,210 feet 6-inch tile, at $31.00 per 1,000 feet 37.50
6 4-inch on 6-inch Y's, at 20 cents each 1 . 20
22 4-inch on 4-inch Y's, at 15 cents each 3.30
$277.20
90 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
Tile for System No. 4:
8,610 feet 4-inch tile, at $17.00 per 1,000 feet $146.37
2,665 feet 6-inch tile, at $31.00 per 1,000 feet 82.62
450 feet 8-inch tile, at $75.00 per 1,000 feet 33.75
150 feet 10-inch tile, at $90.00 per 1,000 feet 13.50
1 6-inch on 10-inch Y's 25
1 4-inch on 10-inch Y's 25
6 4-inch on 8-inch Y's, at 20 cents each 1.20
1 6-inch on 6-inch Y's .20
10 4-inch on 6-inch Y's, at 20 cents each 2.00
7 4-inch on 4-inch Y's, at 15 cents each 1.05
$281.19
Grand total $558 . '{9
BENCH MARKS
Elevation.
Cross (x) top S. W. corner concrete cap, N. end steps at west
entrance to Recitation Hall 75.00
Nail in root of 12-inch oak, 15 feet N. W. Station 0, main line Sys-
tem No. 1 54.36
Nail in first post N. of ditch at Station 0, main Lne System No. 2. . 42.73
Nail in 16-inch red oak, about 200 feet N. of negro cabin, about
one-fourth mile N. of Glenwood 57 . 13
PERMANENT STAKES TO BE USED IN THE RE-LOCATION OF
SYSTEM Ko. 4
Station 0 Main No. 1, old pick handle one-foot high, on bank of creek near
fence corner.
Station 0_j_83.5, 2-inch x 3-inch oak stake 13.7 feet from fence corner.
Station 9_)_59.5, 2-inch x 2-inch oak stake.
Station 17+00, 2-inch x 2-inch oak stake.
South side limestone sink, 2-inch x 4-inch oak stake.
The Improvement of Mulberry River, Jackson County1
BY L. L. HIDINGER
Assistant Drainage Engineer U. S. Department of Agriculture
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The Mulberry Eiver rises near Flowery Branch in Hall County, Geor-
gia, and empties into the Oconee Eiver. The part of the stream under
consideration is about nine miles long, and lies near the town of Hosch-
ton, which is on the Gainesville Midland Railway, between the Long
bridge on the J. X. Thompson Company's land and the beginning of the
Shoals, which are about three-quarters of a mile below the Hosch bridge.
The watershed of the Mulberry River consists of steep, almost pre-
cipitous hills and small valleys. In some places the hills are too steep
to cultivate even with the aid of terraces; and even where the slope is
less and terraces are used, considerable difficulty is experienced in con-
structing them strong enough to prevent the water breaking through
and causing bad washes on the hill sides. The steepest hills are covered
with a growth of pines except where the land has been recently culti-
vated but is now abandoned, and in such places it is usually overgrown
with briars and full of washouts and gullies. The soil contains a large
percentage of sand and disintegrating rock that washes very readily,
and when these are carried along at a high velocity they cut and gully
the surface very rapidly. The sand with which these streams are
charged is deposited when the velocity is reduced, either by a flatter
slope at the edge of the bottoms, or by the slower movement of a larger
stream.
The valley is narrow, with a good slope longitudinally and a slope of
one to two or even three feet away from the stream. The channel has
been straightened more or less through the J. K Thompson Company's
1 January.
91
92 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
and Braselton Brothers' lands, but below this it is quite crooked. Below
the J. N. Thompson Company's land the banks are covered with a dense
growth of cane and trees that hang over the channel and retard the flow
of the water. In some places the bottom lands are gashed by ditches
and sloughs scoured out by the flood waters which sweep down the valley
with a high velocity. To prevent this scouring action, and also to cause
a deposit and thus build up the land, some of the owners have allowed
narrow strips of heavy cane to grow up across the bottoms.
The soil is a sandy silt loam that has been deposited by the overflows.
It is reddish brown in color, and very fertile, as are all such soils. It is
adapted to the growth of all crops raised in this section of the state, but
will, in all probability, be planted largely to corn.
THE SURVEY
The survey was made during the latter part of December, 1908, and
the first of January, 1909, by L. L. Hidinger, chief of party, and H. R.
Elliott, assistant. A transit line was run from the Long bridge on
the J. !N". Thompson Company's land, to a point about three quarters of
a mile below the Hosch bridge. This line was run along the bank of
the stream, except that it crossed the bends approximately on the lines
of the proposed cut-offs. Stakes were set every 200 feet on the line
and at each instrument point; measurements were taken to the bank of
the river at each stake, and all cut-offs, when not on the line, were
carefully located with reference to it ; a compass and stadia line was run
along the edge of the valley, and all property lines were located in
order that the area of overflowed land belonging to each owner might be
obtained.
Levels were run over the transit line and checked back, and a few
lines were ran across the valley to determine the relative elevation of
different parts of the flooded area. There were no sea-level elevations
near, so an assumed datum was used. Two U. S. Drainage Survey bench
marks were set, one at Thompson's bridge and one at Price's bridge.
MULBERRY RIVER 93
The top and bottom widths, and the elevations of the bottom of the chan-
nel and of low water were obtained at each 200-foot stake, and the high-
water elevations were taken wherever reliable marks could be found.
KESUI/TS OF THE SURVEY
The river channel is about 40 feet wide and from four 'to six feet deep
down to the Fish Trap Shoals, and below this point is about 50 or 60
feet wide and eight to ten feet deep. Throughout its entire length there
is a deposit of sand in the bottom of the channel from three to eight feet
deep. At the Fish Trap Shoals a solid sheet of rock extends across the
channel at a depth of four and a half feet below the bed of the stream
and 11 feet below the banks, and from station 444 to the end of the sur-
vey rock was frequently encountered within one or two feet of the bottom
of the channel. At station 462, where the survey was discontinued,
there was a velocity sufficient to sweep all the sand off this rock and carry
it over the rapids.
The largest tributaries to the river in this section are Cooper's Mill
Creek, entering near station 49+50 ; Cronic Creek, entering near sta
tion 217+ 50, a creek without a name entering above station 331 from
the northeast; Tugle's Mill Creek, entering near station 150+25, and
Little Mulberry River, entering at station 409 from the west. Aside
from these there are numerous small branches and sloughs entering the
most of the tributaries below Cronic Creek cross the bottoms with a flat
river on both sides. With the exception of the Little Mulberry River,
<?rarlp and low velocity, and most of the sand is deposited before it
reaches the river. Cronic Creek and nearly all the tributaries above
deliver sand to the river in large quantities.
The area of overflowed land in the part of the valley investigated is
935 acres, of which 165 acres lie above and 770 acres below station 175,
which is about half way across the A. N". Smith property. Of the 770
acres below this point, about 585 are cultivated with varying success,
and 350 are too wet to cultivate. The following list gives the acreage
of each landowner:
94 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
Owner. Acres.
J. N. Thompson Company 148 . 0
J. W. Maddox
A. N. Smith 30. G
Braselton Brothers 152 . 4
J. F. Pirkle
Pentecost 63 . 8
Eli Smith estate , 21.5
W. M. Smith .139.0
J. N. Thompson 34.5
W. F. A. Anderson 34.4
Mrs. J. C. Anderson 35.7
Hill Brothers 72.9
A. S. Puckett 5.0
Bud Brewer , 16.1
R. A. Hosch 42.0
J. R. Hosch 27.0
B. M. Mathis 9.0
Total 935.0
PLANS AND ESTIMATES
Two sheets accompany this report. One of these is a map showing
the channel of the river, the cut-offs recommended, the boundary of the
flooded lands, the property lines, the names of the landowners, and occa-
sional elevations throughout the length of the valley; the other is a
profile showing the high-water line, the surface of 0the ground along the
transit line, the bottom of the present channel, and the grades and
bottom widths of the proposed channel.
It is considered essential that a channel not less than 10 feet in
depth, 20 feet in bottom width, and with side slopes of one to one, be
constructed. This depth is necessary to give an outlet for all parts of
the valley, and such a channel will give a velocity sufficiently high to
carry the silt and sand brought down by the tributaries.
All cui-offs recommended should be constructed, as not only a greater
velocity and smoother channel will be obtained, but there will be less
material to be moved in each instance than by improving the present
channel.
A bottom width of 20 feet above the mouth of the Little Mulberry,
MULBERRY RIVER 95
and 35 feet below this junction, with side slopes of one to one through-
out, will give a velocity high enough and nearly enough uniform to keep
itsel'f clean and discharge the sand brought to it into the swift water at
the shoals.
It is not expected that such a channel will entirely prevent the over-
flow of the bottoms during the heavy winter rains, but that it will give
ample depth for such drainage of the land as may be necessary, and
will remove flood water in time to prevent serious injury to crops.
As much sand as possible should be kept from entering the river, by
allowing it to deposit in the branches before reaching the main stream.
If a branch flows through the valley for any considerable distance the
sand is usually deposited at the point where the grade changes from a
steep to a flat slope, which is .generally at the foot of the hill. In nearly
every case the smaller branches fill their channels at the foot of the hills
and then spread over the bottoms, making an unproductive, unhealthy
swamp. To remedy this an enlarged place should be excavated in the
channel where the grade lessens; into this the sand will settle, from
whence it can be pulled out, after every freshet if necessary, by a slip
scraper and a pair of mules.
In the following estimates the upper 175 stations (about three and
one third miles) are not included, since the cost of the improvement of
that part of the stream is too great for the number of acres benefited, as
is shown by the following rough estimate :
Total excavation, 17,500 linear feet=62,000 cubic yards (approximately) :
Cut 20 feet bottom width, 4 feet deep, side slopes 1 to 1. Cost of exca-
vation, 62,000 yards at 9 cents $5,580
Legal and engineering expenses at 10 per cent 558
Total cost ?6,138
Acres benefited, 165.
Average cost per acre, $37.30.
The following estimate <»f the cost of improving the elumnel hel«>\v
Mat inn IT-") is luisei! nil (lie usual cniifrarf prices for work of this kind
ami quantity :
96 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
Excavation, 172,000 cubic yards, at 9 cents $15,480
Bridges removed and replaced, two, at $100 ^QQ
$15,G80
Engineering and legal expenses, 10 per cent
Total cost $17,248
Acres benefited, 770.
Average cost per acre, $22.40.
No allowance has been made for clearing, as there are very few trees
and all cane and weeds can be swept down by the dipper of the dredge.
It will be necessary to clear all trees from a right-of-way 100 feet wide
to give ample room for the boom to swing the dipper. The landowners
should either give the contractor the cord-wood obtained for clearing
the right-of-way, or else clear it themselves and sell him the wood. I n
either case the wood should pay for the clearing.
Price's bridge is high enough for a dredge to pass under without dis-
mantling, but the Braselton and Hosch bridges will have to be removed
and then replaced when the dredge has passed. Both are in bad con-
dition and part of the cost of replacing and repairing should be borne
by the county.
At the suggestion of Mr. Henry Braselton the following explanations
and estimates are submitted :
The work should be done by a 1 to 1 1-4-yard floating dipper dredge,
moving down stream. A barge 65 feet long, 22 feet wide, and 6 feet
deep, with vertical side spuds and trailing rear spuds, should be erected,
and suitable machinery to operate a one-yard dipper on a 45-foot boom
be installed. Such a machine should excavate from 400 to 500 cubic
yards of earth in a day of one shift, and should not cost more than $8,000.
The force necessary to run such a machine will be one engineer, who will
superintend the work, one craneman, one fireman and one deckhand. It
should be remembered that operating a dredge is like any other business,
some men succeed where others fail. It will be necessary to have an
efficient, energetic superintendent who thoroughly understands the
dredging business, or satisfactory results will not be obtained. The
drainage organization can not expect to operate a dredge as cheaply
DRAIXAGE RECLAMATION /.Y <;E<nn;i.\
L.lTi; Yll—t'lG. J
FIG. 1.— MULBERRY RIVER. A. X. SMITH FARM. JACKSON COUNTY. GEORGIA.
SHOWING FORMATION OF SAXD BAR AT BEXI) OF STREAM
PHOTOGRAPH BY C. G. ELLIOTT. 1008
FIG. L'.— FARM IIoISi: OX HILL LAND BORDERING THE MULBERRY RIVER.
JACKSON COUNTY. GEORGIA
HIOTOGRAPH BY C. G. ELLIOTT. 1908
MULBERRY RIVER 97
as an experienced contractor with a force of experienced men, and
will, therefore, not be able to save all of a contractor's profit. At
the completion of the work the dredge should sell for 60 per cent, of
the first cost, or $4,800, making the net cost to the district $3,200.
Cost of operating dredge for one day, one shift :
1 Engineer and superintendent $ 4.00
1 Craneman ; . . . 2 . 50
1 Fireman 1 _ 25
1 Deckhand i . 25
3 Cords wood, at 75 cents 2.25
Oil and repairs 1,00
$12.25
At 400 yards per day, this is 3.1 cents per yard.
ESTIMATE OF COST
Excavation, 172,000 cubic yards, at 3.1 cents $ 5,332
Net cost of dredge 3,200
Interest on $8,000, 1% years, at 6 per cent 840
Two bridges moved and replaced at $100 200
$ 9,572
25 per cent, to cover risk 2,393
$11,965
Engineering and legal expenses 1,550
Total cost $13,5 j.5
Acres benefited, 770.
Average cost per acre, $17.56.
This estimate is liberal and should cover the cost if efficient men and
machinery are secured. The difference between this price and a con-
tractor's price is about the usual profit expected on such work.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Taking into account the density of population and present value of
land in this vicinity, it is not recommended that an improvement so
costly be undertaken at this time. In some places it has been found
profitable to protect from overflow land no more fertile than that along
the Mulberrv River at a ro?t of $30 per acre, but in such instances the
drained land in the vicinitv lias had a value considerably greater than
98 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
that in the section considered in this report. However, the property
owners may decide at some future time to improve the stream, when
land values here have increased and more of the bottoms have been
abandoned; therefore, this report and the plans have been prepared with
as great care as if the report were favorable and these recommendations
should be followed when any improvements are undertaken.
Although it is not considered advisable to dredge out the river at the
present time, it is strongly recommended that all drifts and obstructions
be removed from the channel, and that all cane, brush and leaning trees
be cleared from the bank of the stream. In this way the carrying capacity
of the channel will be increased 20 to 30 per cent, and the benefit from
this will be well worth the cost.
BENCH MARKS
Elevation . DESCRIPTION
99.51 On southwest cornerstone abutment at north end of Long's Bridge.
09. 7G J. S. Drainage Survey permanent bench mark at southeast end of
middle pier Thompson's Bridge, stamped 69.8.
52.76 Nail in 6-inch ash at station 250+73 (60 feet from river).
39.66 U. S. Drainage Survey permanent bench mark at south side west
end of Price's Bridge, stamped 39.7.
26.87 Nail in root of large tree on south bank Little Mulberry, 30 feet
above mouth.
27.31 Nail in root of 15-inch oak on slope of bluff at end of line.
APPENDIX
Proposed Drainage Law1
A Bill to be Entitled "An Act to promote the public health, convenience and
welfare by leveeing, ditching and draining the wet, swamp, and overflowed
lands of the state, and providing for the establishment of levee or drainage
districts for the purpose of enlarging or changing any natural water-
courses, and for digging ditches or canals for securing better drainage
or providing better outlets for drainage; for building levees or embank-
ments, and installing tide-gates or pumping plants for the reclamation of
overflowed lands, and prescribing a method for so doing; and providing
for the assessment and collection of the cost and expense of the same,
and issuing and selling bonds therefor, and for the care and maintenance
of such improvements when constructed, and for other purposes."
The General Assembly of Georgia Do Enact:
SECTION 1. The Clerk of the Superior Court together with
the Board of Commissioners of Roads and Revenues, or if there be
no such board, with the Ordinary of any County of the State of
Georgia, shall constitute a court to have jurisdiction, power and
authority to establish a levee or drainage district or districts in his
county, and to locate and establish levees, drains or canals, and cause
to be constructed, straightened, widened or deepened any ditch,
drain, or water course, and to build levees or embankments and
erect tide gates and pumping plants for the purpose of draining and
reclaiming wot, swamp or overflowed lands; and it is hereby declared
that the drainage of swamps and the drainage of the surface water
from agricultural lands and the reclamation of tidal marshes shall be
considered a public benefit and conducive to the public health, con-
venience, utility and welfare.
*This drainage bill was prepared by the Legislative Committee of the Georgia
Drainage Congress.
99
100 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA. .
SEC. 2. Whenever a petition signed by a majority of the resi-
dent landowners in a proposed drainage district or by the owners of
three-fifths of all the land which shall be affected by or assessed for
the expense of the proposed improvements shall be filed in the office
of the Clerk of the Superior Court of any County in which a part of
said lands are located, setting forth that any specific body or district
of land in the county and adjoining counties, described in such a
way as to convey an intelligent idea as to the location of such land,
is subject to overflow or too wet for cultivation, and the public benefit
or utility or the public health, convenience or welfare wrill be pro-
moted by draining, ditching or leveeing the same or by changing or
improving the natural water courses, and setting forth therein as far
as practicable, the starting point, route and terminus and lateral
branches, if necessary, of. the proposed improvement, signed by two
or more sureties or by some lawful and authorized surety company,
to be approve'd by the Clerk of the Superior Court and conditioned
for the payment of all costs and expenses incurred in the proceedings
in case the court does not grant the prayer of said petition, the said
Clerk shall issue a summons to be served on all the defendant land-
owners who have not joined in the petition and whose lands are in-
cluded in the proposed drainage district. Upon the return day the
said Court shall appoint a disinterested and competent civil and
drainage engineer and two resident freeholders of the county or
counties in which said lands are located as a board of viewers to
examine the lands described in the petition and make a preliminary
report thereon. The compensation for the services of said engineer,
his assistants and freeholders, shall be paid from such funds as may
be specifically appointed for said express purpose, the same to be
refunded when the drainage fund is subsequently provided by the
sale of bonds, or otherwise. When the lands proposed to be drained
and created into a drainage district are located in two or more coun-
ties the Clerk of the Superior Court, together with the Board of
Commissioners of Roads and Revenues, or if there be no such Board,
with the Ordinary of either county, the court as hereinbefore pro-
PROPOSED DRAINAGE LAW 101
ruled shall have and exercise the jurisdiction herein conferred, and
the venue shall be in the County in which the petition is filed. The
law and rules regulating civil proceedings shall be applicable to this
act, so far as mav be practicable. The summons may be served by
publication as to any defendant who can not be personally served as-
provided by law.
SEC. 3. The board of viewers shall proceed to examine the
land described in said petition, and other land if necessary to locate
properly such improvement or improvements as are petitioned for,
a]ong the route described in the petition, or any other route answer-
ing the same purpose if found more practicable or feasible, and may
make surveys such as may be necessary to determine the boundaries
and elevation of the several parts of the district, and shall make and
return to the Clerk of the Superior Court within thirty days, unless
the time shall be extended by the court, a written report which shall
set forth :
1. Whether the proposed drainage is practicable or not.
2. Whether it will benefit the public health or any public
highway or be conducive to the general welfare of the
community.
3. Whether the improvement proposed will benefit the lands
sought to be benefited,
-i. Whether or not all the lands that are benefited are included
in the proposed drainage district.
They shall also file with this report a map of the proposed drain-
age district, showing the location of the ditch or ditches or other
improvements to be constructed and the lands that will be affected
thereby, and such other information as they may have collected that
will tend to show the correctness of their findings.
SEC. 4. The Court aforesaid shall consider this report. If the
viewers report that the drainage is not practicable or that it will not
benefit the public health or any public highway or be conducive to
the general welfare of the community, and the Court shall approve
102 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
such findings, the petition shall be dismissed at the cost of the peti-
tioners. Such petition or proceeding may again be instituted by the
same or additional land-owners at any time after six months, upon
proper allegations that conditions have changed or that material
facts were omitted or overlooked. If the viewers report that the
drainage is practicable and that it will benefit the public health or
any public highway or be conducive to the general welfare of the
community, and the court shall so find, then the court shall fix a day
when the report will be further heard and considered.
SEC. 5. If the petition is entertained by the court, notice shall
be given by publication for two consecutive weeks in some news-
paper of general circulation within the county or counties, if one
shall be published in such counties, and also by posting a written or
printed notice at the door of the court house and at five conspicuous
places within the drainage district that on the date set, naming the
day, the court will consider and pass upon the report of the viewers.
At least fifteen days shall intervene between the date of the publica-
tion and the posting of the notices and the date set for the hearing.
SEC. 6. At the date appointed for the hearing the court shall
hear and determine any objections that may be offered to the report
of the viewers. If it appear that there is any land within the pro-
posed levee or drainage district that will not be affected by the levee-
ing or drainage thereof, such lands shall be excluded and the names
of the owners withdrawn from such proceeding; and if it shall be
shown that there is any land not within the proposed district that
will be affected by the construction of the proposed levee or drain,
the boundary of the district shall be so changed as to include such
land, and such additional landowners shall be made parties plaintiff
or defendant, respectively, and summons shall issue accordingly, as
herein provided. After such change in the boundary is made, the
sufficiency of the petition shall be verified, to determine whether or
not it conforms to the requirements of the statute as provided in
section two. The efficiency of the drainage or levees may also be
PROPOSED DRAINAGE LAW 103
determined, and if it appears that the location of any levee or drain
can be changed so as to make it more effective, or that other branches
or spurs should be constructed, or that any branch or spur projected
may be eliminated or other changes made that will tend to increase
the benefits of the proposed work, such modification and changes
shall be made by the board. The engineer and the other two viewers
may attend this meeting and give any information or evidence that
may be sought to verify and substantiate their report. If necessary,
the petition, as amended, shall be referred by the court to the engineer
and two viewers for further report. The above facts having been
determined to the satisfaction of the court, and the boundaries of
the proposed district so determined, it shall declare the establishment
of the drainage or levee district, which shall be designated by a name
or number, for the object and purpose as herein set forth.
SEC. 7. If it shall be necessary to acquire a right of way or an
outlet over and through lands not affected by the drainage and the
same can not be acquired by donation or purchase, then and in such
event the power of eminent domain is hereby conferred, and the
same may be condemned. Such owner or owners of the land pro-
posed to be condemned may be made parties defendant in the manner
of an ancillary proceeding, and the proceeding shall be substantially
as provided for the condemnation of rights of way for railroads in
chapter 9, of the Code of 1911, so far as the same may be applicable
and such damages as may be awarded as compensation shall be paid
by the board of drainage commissioners out of the first funds which
shall be available from the proceeds of sale of bonds or otherwise.
SEC. 8. Any person or corporation owning lands within the drain-
age or levee district which he or it thinks will not be benefited by
the improvement and should not be included in the district may ap-
peal from the decision of the court to the Superior Court of such
county, by filing an appeal, accompanied by a bond conditioned for
the payment of the costs, if the appeal should be decided against him,
for such sum as the court may require, not exceeding two hundred
104 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
dollars, signed by two or more solvent sureties, or in some approved
surety company, to be approved by the court.
SEC. 9. After the district is established the court shall refer the
report of the engineer and viewers back to them to make a complete
survey, plans and specifications for the drains or levees or other im-
provements, and fix a time when said engineer and viewers shall
complete and file their report, not exceeding sixty days.
SEC. 10. The engineer and viewers shall have power to employ
such assistants as may be necessary to make a complete survey of
the drainage district, and shall enter upon the ground and make a
survey of the main drain or drains and all its lateral. The line of
each ditch, drain or levee shall be plainly and substantially marked
on the ground. The course and distance of each ditch shall be care-
fully noted and sufficient notes made, so that it may be accurately
platted and mapped. A line of levels shall be run for the entire
work and sufficient data secured from which accurate profiles and
plans may be made. Frequent bench marks shall be established
along the line, on permanent objects, and their elevation recorded in
the field books. If it is deemed expedient by the engineer and view-
ers, other levels may be run to determine the fall from one part of
the district to another. If an old water course, ditch or channel is
being widened, deepened or straightened, it shall be accurately cross-
sectioned, so as to compute the amount of cubic yards saved by the
use of such old channel. A drainage map of the district shall then
be completed, showing the location of the ditch or ditches and other
improvements and the boundary, as closely as may be determined
by the records of the lands owned by each individual landowner
within the district. The location of any railroads or public high-
ways and the boundary of any incorporated towns or villages within
the district shall be shown on the map. There shall also be prepared
to accompany this map a profile of each levee, drain or water course,
showing the surface of the ground, the bottom or grade of the pro-
posed improvement and the number of cubic yards of excavation or
PROPOSED DRAINAGE LAW 105
fill in each mile or fraction thereof, and the total yards in the pro-
posed improvement and the estimated cost thereof, and plans and
specifications, and the cost of any other work required to be done.
SEC. 11. It shall be the further duty of the engineer and viewers
to assess the damages claimed by any one that is justly right and due
to them for land taken or for inconvenience imposed because of the
construction of the. improvement, or for any other legal damages sus-
tained. Such damage shall be considered separate and apart from
any benefit the land would receive because of the proposed work, and
shall be paid by the board of drainage commissioners when funds
shall come into their hands.
SEC. 12. It shall be the further duty of the engineer and viewers
to personally examine the land in the district and classify it with
reference to the benefit it will receive from the construction of the
levee, ditch or water course or other improvement. In case of drain-
age, the degree of wetness of the land, its proximity to the ditch or a
natural outlet and the fertility of the soil shall be considered in de-
termining the amount of benefit it will receive by the construction
of the ditch. .The land benefited shall be separated in five classes.
The land receiving the highest benefit shall be marked "Class A;"
that receiving the next highest benefit "Class B;" that receiving the
next highest benefit, "Class C ;" that receiving the next highest bene-
fit, "Class D," and that receiving the smallest benefit, "Class E."
The holdings of any one landowner need not necessarily be all in one
class, but the number of acres in each class shall be ascertained,
though its boundary need not be marked on the ground or shown on
the map. The total number of acres owned by one person in each
class and the total number of acres benefited shall be determined.
The total number of acres of each class in the entire district shall be
obtained and presented in tabulated form. The scale of assessment
upon the several classes of land returned by the engineer and viewers
shall be in the ratio of five, four, three, two and one ; that is to say,
ss often as five mills per acre is assessed against the land in "Class
106 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
A," four mills per acre shall be assessed against the land in " Class
B," three mills per acre in "Class C," two mills per acre in "Class
D" and one mill per acre in "Class E." This shall form the basis
of the assessment of benefits to the lands for drainage purposes.
SEC. 13. The engineer and viewers shall keep an accurate ac-
count and report to the court the name and number of days each per-
son was employed on the survey and the kind of work he was doing
and any expenses that may have been incurred in going to and from
the work, and the cost of any supplies or material that may have
been used in making the survey.
SEC. 14. In case the work is delayed by high water, sickness
or any other good cause, and the report is not completed at the time
fixed by the court, the engineer and viewers shall appear before the
court and state in writing the cause of such failure and ask for suf-
ficient time in which to complete the work, and the court shall set
another date by which the report shall be completed and filed.
SEC. 15. When the final report is completed and filed it shall be
examined by the court, and if it is found to be in due form and in
accordance with the law it shall be accepted, and if not in due form
it may be referred back to the engineer and viewers, with instructions
to secure further information, to be reported at a subsequent date to
be fixed by the court. When the report is fully completed and ac-
cepted by the court a date not less than twenty days thereafter shall
be fixed by the court for the final hearing upon the report, and notice
thereof shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general cir-
culation in the county and by posting a written or printed notice on
the door of the court house and at five conspicuous places throughout
the district, such publication to be made for at least two weeks before
the final hearing. During this time a copy of the report shall be on
file in the office of the clerk of the Superior Court and shall be open
to the inspection of any landowner or other person interested within
the district.
PROPOSED DRAINAGE LAW 107
SEC. 16. At the date set for hearing any landowner may appear
in person or by counsel and file his objection in writing to the report
of the viewers ; and it shall be the duty of the court to carefully re-
view the report of the viewers and the objection filed thereto, and
make such changes as are necessary to render substantial and equal
justice to all the landowners in the district. If, in the opinion of
the court, the cost of construction, together with the amount of dam-
ages assessed, is not greater than the benefits that will accrue to the
land affected, the court shall confirm the report of the viewers. If,
however, the court finds that the cost of construction, together with
the damages assessed, is greater than the resulting benefit that will
accrue to the lands affected, the court shall dismiss the proceedings
at the cost of the petitioners, and the sureties upon the bond so filed
by them shall be liable for such costs ; and the court may from time
to time collect from the petitioners such amounts as may be necessary
to pay accrued costs.
SEC. 17. Any party aggrieved may within ten days after the con-
firmation of the assessors' report, appeal to the Superior Court. Such
appeal shall be taken and prosecuted as now provided in civil pro-
ceedings.
SEC. 18. The Clerk of the Superior Court shall provide a suitable
book, to be known as the "Drainage Record," in which he shall trans-
cribe every petition, motion, order, report, judgment or finding of
the board in every drainage transaction that may come before it, in
such a manner as to make a complete and continuous record of the
case. Copies of all the maps and profiles are to be furnished by the
engineer and marked by the Clerk "official copies," which shall be
kept on file by him in his office, and one other copy shall be pasted or
otherwise attached to his record book.
SEC. 19. After the said drainage district shall have been declared
established, as aforesaid, and the survey and plan therefor approved,
the court shall appoint three persons, who shall be designated as the
board of drainage commissioners. Such drainage commissioners
108 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
shall first be elected by the owners of land within the drainage or
levee district, or by a majority of same, in such manner as the court
shall prescribe. The court shall appoint those receiving a majority
of the votes. If any one or more of such proposed commissioners
shall not receive the vote of a majority of such landowners the court
shall appoint all or the remainder from among those voted for in the
election. Any vacancy thereafter occurring shall be filled in like
manner. Such three drainage commissioners, when so appointed,
shall be immediately created a body corporate under the name and
style of "The Board of Drainage Commissioners of
District/7 with the right to hold property and convey the same, to
sue and be sued, and shall possess such other powers as usually pertain
to corporations. They shall organize by electing from among their
number a chairman and a vice-chairman. They shall also elect a
secretary, either within or without their body. The treasurer of the
county in which the proceeding was instituted shall be ex officio
treasurer of such drainage commissioners. Such board of drainage
commissioners shall adopt a seal, which they may alter at pleasure.
The board of drainage commissioners shall have and possess such
powers as are herein granted. The name of such drainage district,
whether designated by number or otherwise, shall constitute a part
of its corporate name ; for illustration, "The Board of Drainage Com-
missioners of (No. 1 or Okefinokee) District."
SEC. 20. The board of Drainage Commissioners shall appoint a
competent person as superintendent of construction. Such person
shall furnish a bond, to be approved by the commissioners, in the
penal sum of ten thousand dollars, conditioned upon the honest and
faithful performance of his duties, such bond to be in favor of the
board of drainage commissioners.
SEC. 21. The board of drainage commissioners shall cause notice
to be given for two consecutive weeks in some newspaper published
in the county wherein such improvement is located, if such there be,
and such additional publication elsewhere as they may deem expe-
PROPOSED DRAINAGE LAW 109
dient, of the time and place of letting the work of construction of said
improvement, and in such notice they shall specify the approximate
amount of work to be done and the time fixed for the completion
thereof ; and in the date appointed for the letting, they, together with
the superintendent of construction, shall convene and let to the lowest
responsible bidder, either as a whole or in sections, as they may deem
most advantageous for the district, the proposed work. 'No bid shall
be entertained that exceeds the estimated cost, except for good and
satisfactory reasons it shall be shown that the original estimate was
erroneous. They shall have the right to reject all bids and advertise
again the work, if in their judgment the interest of the district will
be subserved by doing so. The successful bidder shall be required to
enter into a contract with the board of drainage commissioners and
to execute a bond for the faithful performance of such contract, with
sufficient sureties, in favor of the board of drainage commissioners
for the use and benefit of the levee or drainage district, in an amount
equal to twenty-five per centum of the estimated cost of the work
awarded to him.
SEC. 22. The superintendent in charge of construction shall make
monthly estimates of the amount of work done, and furnish one copy
to the contractor and file the other with the secretary of the board
of drainage commissioners against such contractor and his bond five
days after the filing of such estimate, meet and direct the secretary
to draw a warrant in favor of such contractor for ninety per centum
of the work done, according to the specifications and contract; and
upon the presentation of such warrant, properly signed by the chair-
man and secretary, to the treasurer of the drainage fund, he shall pay
the amount due thereon. When the work is fully completed and
accepted by the superintendent he shall make an estimate for the
whole amount due, including the amounts withheld on the previous
monthly estimates, which shall be paid from the drainage fund as
before provided.
SEC. 23. If any contractor to whom a portion of said work shall
110 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
have been let shall fail to perform the same according to the terms
specified in his contract, action may be had in behalf of the board of
drainage commissioners against such contractor and his bond in the
Superior Court for damages sustained by the levee or drainage dis-
trict, and recovery made against such contractor and his sureties.
In such an event the work shall be advertised and re-let in the same
manner as the original letting.
SEC. 24. In the construction of the work the contractor shall have
the right to enter upon the lands necessary for this purpose and the
light to remove private or public bridges or fences and to cross private
lands in going to or from the work. In case the right-of-way of the
improvement is through timber the owner thereof shall have the right
ot remove it, if he so desires, before the work of construction begins,
and in case it is not removed by the landowner it shall become the
property of the contractor and may be removed by him.
SEC. 25. Where any public ditch, drain or water course estab-
lished under the provisions of this act crosses a public highway the
actual cost of constructing the same across the highway or removing
old bridges or building new ones shall be paid for from the fund of the
drainage district. Wherever any highway within the levee or drain-
age district shall be beneficially affected by the construction of any
improvement or improvements in such district it shall be the duty
of the viewers appointed to classify the land to give in their report
the amount of benefit to such highway, and notice shall be given
by the Clerk of the Superior Court to the Board of Commissioners
of Roads and Revenues, or if there be no such board, to the Or-
dinary of the county where the road is located of the amount of such
assessment, who shall have the right to appear before the court and
file objections, the same as any land owner.
SEC. 26. Whenever the engineer and the viewers in charge shall
make a survey for the purpose of locating a public levee or drainage
district or changing a natural water course, and the same would cross
the right of way of any railroad company, it shall be the duty of
PROPOSED DRAINAGE LAW 111
those in charge of the work to notify the railroad company, by serv-
ing written notice upon the agent of such company or its lessee or
receiver, that they will meet the company at the place where the pro-
posed ditch, drain or water course crosses the right of way of such
company, said notice fixing the time of such meeting, which shall not
be less than ten days after the service of same, for the purpose of
conferring with said railroad company with relation to the place
where and the manner in which such improvement shall cross such
right of way. When the time shall arrive fixed for such conference,
unless for good cause more time is agreed upon, it shall be the duty
of the viewers in charge and the railroad company to agree, if pos-
sible, upon the place where and the manner and method in which
such improvement shall cross such right of way. If the viewers in
charge and the railroad company can not agree, or if the railroad
company shall fail, neglect or refuse to confer with the viewers, they
shall determine the place and manner of crossing the right of way of
said railroad company, and shall specify the number and size of
openings required, and the damages, if any, to said railroad com-
pany, and so specify in their report. The fact that the railroad com-
pany is required by the construction of the improvement to build a
new bridge or culvert or to enlarge or strengthen an old one shall not
be considered as damages to said railroad company. The engineer
and viewers shall also assess the benefits that will accrue to the right
of way, road-bed and other property of said company by affording
better drainage or a better outlet for drainage, but no benefits shall
be assessed because of the increase in business that may come to said
railroad because of the construction of the improvement. The bene-
fits shall be assessed at a fixed sum, determined solely by the physical
benefit that its property will receive by the construction of said im-
provement, and it shall be reported by the viewers as a special assess-
ment, due personally from the railroad company as a special assess-
ment ; it may be collected in the manner of an ordinary debt in any
court having jurisdiction.
112 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
SEC. 27. The clerk of the Superior Court shall have notice served
upon the railroad company of the time and place of the meeting to
hear and determine the final report of the engineer and viewers, and
the said railroad company shall have the right to file objections to
said report and to appeal from the findings of the board of commis-
sioners in the same manner as any landowner. But such an appeal
shall not delay or defeat the construction of the improvement.
SEC. 28. After the contract is let and the actual construction is
commenced, if the work is being done with a floating dredge, the
superintendent in charge of construction shall notify the railroad
company of the probable time at which the contractor will be ready
to enter upon the right of way of said road and construct the work
thereon. It shall be the duty of said railroad to send a representative
to view the ground with the superintendent of construction and ar-
range the exact time at which such work can be most conveniently
done. At the time agreed upon the said railroad company shall re-
move its rails, ties, stringers and such other obstructions as may be
necessary to permit the dredge to excavate the channel across its right
of way. The work shall be so planned and conducted as to interfere
the least possible manner with the business of said railroad. In case
the railroad company refuses and fails to remove its track and allow
the dredge to construct the work on its right of way it shall be held
as delaying the construction of the improvement, and such company
shall be liable to a penalty of twenty-five dollars per day for each day
of delay, to be collected by the board of drainage commissioners for
the benefit of the drainage district as in the case of other penalties.
Such a fine may be collected in any court having jurisdiction and
shall inure to the benefit of the drainage district. Within thirty
days after the work is completed, an itemized bill for the actual ex-
penses incurred by the railroad company for opening its tracks shall
be made and presented to the superintendent of construction of the
drainage improvement. Such bill, however, shall not include the
cost of putting in a new bridge or strengthening or enlarging an old
one. The superintendent of construction shall audit this bill and, if
PROPOSED DRAINAGE LAW 113
found correct, approve the same and file it with the secretary of the
board of drainage commissioners. The commissioners shall deduct
from this bill the cost of the excavation done by the dredge on the
right of way of said railroad company at the contract price, and pay
the difference, if any, to said railroad company.
SEC. 29. Whenever any improvement constructed under this act
is completed it shall be under the control and supervision of the
board of drainage commissioners. It shall be the duty of the said
board to keep the levee, ditch, drain or water course in good repair,
and for this purpose they may levy an assessment on the lands bene-
fited by the construction of such improvement in the same manner
and in the same proportion as the original assessments were made,
and the fund that is collected shall be used for repairing and main-
taining the ditch, drain or water course in perfect order : Provided,
however, that if any repairs are made necessary by the act or negli-
gence of the owner of any land through which such improvement is
constructed or by the act or negligence of his agent or employee, or if
the same is caused by the cattle, hogs or other stock of said owner,
employee or agent, then the cost thereof shall be assessed and levied
against the lands of said owner alone, to be collected by proper suit
instituted by the drainage commissioners. It shall be unlawful for
any person to injure or damage or obstruct or build any bridge, fence
or flood gate in such a way as to injure or damage any levee, ditch,
drain or water course constructed or improved under the provisions
of this act, and any person causing such injury shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof may be fined in any sum
not exceeding twice the damage or injury done or caused.
SEC. 30. The owner of any land that has been assessed for the
cost of the construction of any ditch, drain or water course, as herein
provided, shall have the right to use the ditch, drain or water course
as an outlet for lateral drains from said land; and if said land is
separated from the ditch, drain or water course by the land of another
or others, and the owner thereof shall be unable to agree with said
114 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
other or others as to the terms and conditions on which he may enter
their lands and construct said drain or ditch, he may file his ancillary
petition in such pending proceeding to the court, and the procedure
shall he as now provided by the law. When the ditch is constructed
it shall become a part of the drainage system and shall be under the
control of the board of drainage commissioners and be kept in repair
by them as herein provided.
SEC. 31. After the classification of the land and the ratio of
assessment of the different classes to be made thereon has been con-
firmed by the court, the drainage commissioners shall prepare an
assessment roll or drainage-tax duplicate, giving a description of all
the land in said drainage district, the name of the owner, so far as
can be ascertained from the public records, and the amount of assess-
ment against each of the several tracts of land. In preparing this
assessment roll the board shall ascertain the total cost of the improve-
ment, including the damages awarded and to be paid to the owners
of land, and all incidental expenses, and deduct therefrom any special
assessment made against any railroad or highway, and the remainder
shall be the amount to be borne and paid by the lands benefited.
This amount shall be assessed against the several tracts of land ac-
cording to the benefit received, as shown by the classification and ratio
of assessment made by the viewers and confirmed by the board of
drainage commissioners. This drainage tax-roll shall be made in
duplicate, signed by the chairman and secretary, and one copy filed
with the drainage record and the other delivered to the sheriff or
other county tax collector. There shall be appended an order to
collect the said assessments, and the same shall have the force and
effect of a judgment as in the case of State and county taxes.
SEC. 32. If the total cost of the work is less than an average of
twenty-five cents per acre on all the land in the district the assess-
ment made against the several tracts shall be collected in one install-
ment, by the same officer and in the same manner as State and county
taxes are collected, and payable at the same time. In case the total
PROPOSED DRAINAGE LAW 115
a assessment exceeds the average of twenty-five cents per acre on all the
lands in the district the said board of drainage commissioners may
give notice of three weeks by publication in some newspaper of gen-
eral circulation in the district, if there be one, and also by posting a
written or printed notice at the door of the court house and at five con-
spicuous places in the drainage district, that they propose to issue
bonds for the construction of said improvement, giving the amount
of bonds to be issued, the rate of interest they are to bear and the time
when payable. Any landowner having lands assessed in the dis-
trict and not wanting to pay interest on the bonds may, within thirty
clays after the publication of said notice, pay the county treasurer
the full amount of his assessment and have his land released there-
from.
SEC. 33. Each and every person owning land in the district
which is assessed for the construction of an improvement who shall
neglect or fail to pay the full amount of his assessment to the county
treasurer within the time specified shall be deemed as consenting to
the issuing of said drainage bonds, and in consideration of the right
to pay his assesment in installments he hereby waives his right to any
defense against the collection of said assessments because of any ir-
regularity, illegality or defect in the proceedings prior to this time,
except in the case of an appeal, a heretofore provided, which is not
affected by this waiver. The term "person" as used in this act, in-
cludes any firm, company or corporation.
SEC. 34. At the expiration of the thirty days after the publica-
tion the board of drainage commissioners may issue bonds for the
full amount of the assessment not paid in to the county treasurer,
together with the interest thereon, costs of collection or other inci-
dental expenses. These bonds shall bear six per cent, interest per
annum, payable annually, and shall be paid in ten equal annual in-
stallments. The first installment of the principal shall mature at
the expiration of three years from the date of issue, and one install-
ment each succeeding year for nine additional years. The commis-
116 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
sioners may sell these bonds at not less than par and devote the pro-
ceeds to the payment of the work as it progresses. In no case shall
bonds be issued until the tax levy has been made to meet them as they
come due. The bonds issued shall be for the exclusive use of the
levee or drainage district specified on their face, and should be num-
bered by the board of drainage commissioners and recorded in the
drainage record, which record shall set out specifically the lands em-
braced in the district on which the tax has not been paid in full, and
which land is assessed for the payment of the bonds issued and the
interest thereon. This assessment shall constitute the first and para-
mount-lien, second only to State anol county taxes, upon the lands
assessed for the payment of said bonds and the interest thereon as
they become due, and shall be collected in the same manner by the
same officers as the State and county taxes are collected. If any in-
stallment of principal or interest represented by the said bond shall
not be paid at the time and in the manner when the same shall be-
come due and payable, and such default shall continue for a period
of six months, the holder or holders of such bond or bonds upon
which default has been made may have a right of action against said
drainage district or the board of drainage commissioners of said dis-
trict, wherein the court may issue a writ of mandamus against the
said drainage district, its officers, including the tax collector and
treasurer, directing the levying of a tax or special assessment as
herein provided, and the collection of same, in such sum as may be
necessary to meet any unpaid installments of principal and interest
and cost of action ; and such other remedies are hereby vested in the
holder or holders of such bond or bonds in default as may be author-
ized by law; and the right of action is hereby vested in the holder
or holders of such bond upon which default has been made authorizing
them to institute suit against any officer on his official bond for fail-
ure to perform any duty imposed by the provisions of this act. The
official bonds of the tax collector and county treasurer shall be liable
for the faithful performance of the duties herein assigned them.
Such bonds may be increased by the board of county commissioners.
PROPOSED DRAIXAGE LAW 117
SEC. 35. Where the court has confirmed an assessment for the
construction of any public levee, ditch or drain, and such assessment
has been modified by the court of superior jurisdiction, but for some
unforeseen cause it cannot be collected, the board of drainage com-
missioners shall have power to change or modify the assessment as
originally confirmed to conform to the judgment of the Superior
Court and to cover any deficit that may have been caued by the order
of said court or unforeseen occurrence. The said relevy shall be
made for the additional sum required, in the same ratio on the lands
benefited as the original assessment was made.
SEC. 36. Any engineer employed under the provisions of this
act shall receive such compensation per diem for his services as shall
be fixed and determined by the Drainage Commissioners. The view-
ers, other than the engineer, shall receive three dollars per day; the
rodmen, axmen, chainmen and other laborers shall receive not to
exceed two dollars per day each. All other fees and costs incurred
under the provisions of this act shall be the same as provided by law
for like services in other cases. Said costs and expenses shall be
paid, by the order of the court, out of the drainage fund provided
for that purpose, and the board of drainage commissioners shall issue
warrants therefor when funds shall be in the hands of the treasurer.
SEC. 37. In the event that the United States Government makes
provisions for loans to prosecute drainage and reclamation work or
provides for such work to be done under the supervision of its of-
ficials, the drainage commissioners for districts created under this
Act are empowered to avail themselves of such provision at any time
by co-operating with the said United States Government officials for
the completion of any work begun prior to such provision being made,
and said drainage commissioners are empowered to levy and collect
in the manner herein provided the taxes against the land and to
pledge any pay the receipts from such levy in liquidation of the loan
made as aforesaid by the United States Government; and it shall be
the duty of the State Geologist of this State to co-operate and solicit
118 DRAINAGE RECLAMATION IN GEORGIA
the co-operation of the various bureaus of the United States Govern-
ment, in the prosecution of all work undertaken under this Act.
SEC. 38. KThe provisions of this Act shall be liberally construed
to promote the leveeing, ditching, draining and reclamation of wet
and overflowed lands. The collection of the assessment shall not be
defeated, where the proper notices have been given, by reason of any
defect in the proceedings occurring prior to the order of the court
confirming the final report of the viewers ; but such order or orders
shall be conclusive and final that all prior proceedings were regular
and according to law, unless they were appealed from. If on appeal
the court shall deem it just and proper to release any person or to
modify his assessment or liability, it shall in no manner affect the
rights and legality of any person other than the appellant, and the
failure to appeal from the order of the court within the time specified
shall be a waiver of any illegality in the proceedings, and the remedies
provided for in this Act shall exclude all other remedies.
SEC. 39. Proceedings under this Act may be ex parte or adver-
sary. Any engineer, viewer, superintendent of construction or other
person appointed under this Act may be removed by the court, upon
petition, for corruption, negligence of duties or other good and satis-
factory cause shown.
SEC. 40. This Act shall take effect from and after its passage and
shall not repeal or change the law contained in Vol. 1, Code of
Georgia 1911, on the subject of drainage, but shall be cumulative
thereto, nor shall it affect any local drainage system established there-
under.
Index
A Page
Altamaha River, overflow of 53.54
Appendix 99-118
Area of swamp and overflow lands 11
B
Baker County, swamp land in 24
Bench marks 68, 81, 90
Berry School Farm, drainage of 83-90
Bench marks 90
Catch basins 89
Cost of drainage 89-90
Cost of improvement 86-87
Drainage of 84
Plans for improvement 85-86
Protection of outlets 89
Surveys 84-85
Tile drains 87-89
Bryan County 31-34
Area needing drainage 31-32
Drainage channels 31
Past drainage in 32
Present farming conditions 32
Brunswick canal 45
C
Calhoun County, swamp land in 24
Cana Branch, Bryan County 33
Canal, Brunswick 45
Canals, Chatham County 35-36
Chatham County 35-37
Drainage conditions in 35-36
Opportunities for farming 36-37
Chickasawhatchee Creek swamp 19-24
Area of 24
Clinch and Echols counties 39-41
Area of drainage district 39
Farming in 38
Need of drainage 37-38
Soil 38
Transportation and roads .. . 38
119
120 INDEX
Page
Darien, lands near - 57-58
Department of Agriculture, U. S., drainage investigations b 24, 28-99
Dougherty County, swamp land in 24
Drainage channels, size of
Drainage investigations by the State 14
Drainage, cost of 78, 83, 86, 94
Drainage 'law, proposed 99-118
Adjudication of final report 107
Appeal 107
Assessment 114
Condemnation 103
Control and repairs 101
Cost of surveys 106
County commissioners, duty and powers 99
Damages 105
Defects and proceedings 116
Delay, extension of time 106
Drainage record 107
Drainage system, initiation by commissioners 117-118
Examination 101
• Failure of contractor 109
Fees and expenses 117
Final report 106
Highways / affected 110
Lands, classification of 106
Manner of crossing right of way 112
Notice 102
Notice of letting contract 109
Notice to railroad Ill
Outlet for lateral drains 113
Payment for work done 109
Petition , 100
Preliminary report, hearing of 102
Re-levy 117
Repealing clause 118
Removal of officers 118
Report complete 104
Report, filing of 101
Railroad, damage, benefit 110
Right of appeal 103
Right of contractor 109
Superintendent of construction 108
Survey complete ' 104
INDEX 121
Page
E
Eason, F. G., reports by 43-58
Echols County 39-41
Elliott, C. G., statement by 28-29
F
Flatwoods 66-67, 84
Floyd County, drainage investigations in 83-90
G
Glynn County 43-47
Drainage, plan proposed 46-47
Farming conditions 45-46
Location and description 43
Natural drainage channels 43-44
Natural drainage conditions 44-45
Soil 44
Transportation facilities 46
Gum Swamp Creek 62-63
H
Haswell, J. R., reports by 59-82
Hidinger, L. L., reports by 83-98
I-J
Jackson County, drainage investigations in 91-98
Soils in 88-89
K-L
Law, drainage 19
Proposed law 99-118
Liberty County 49-52
Drainage situation 50-51
Location and description 49
Transportation facilities 51
Little, Dr. ueorge, quoted 14-18
122 INDEX
Page
M
Malaria, due to swamps 25-26
Mauldin Swamp
Mclntosh County 53-58
Coast section of 57-58
Drainage conditions 53-54
Location •• 53
Natural drainage channels in 54
Outlook for drainage 57
Soils 54-55
Transportation 55-56
McRae Branch, drainage of 71-81
Bench marks 80
Crops and land values 73-74
Description of survey 74-75
Location and area 72
Natural drainage channels 72-73
Natural surface conditions 73
Plan for drainage improvement 75-79
Soil 75
Mulberry River, improvement of 91-98
Bench marks 98
Location and description 92
Plans and estimates 94-97
Results of survey 93-94
Survey 92-93
Recommendations 97-98
N-O
Okefinokee Swamp 7
Area of 7
Drainage of 16
By Suwanee Canal Company 18
Elevations 15
Survey of 14-19
Vegetation in 16-17
Overflow lands 12-13
P
Phillips, J. V., reports by 30-41
Q-R
Rainfall, table of 66
Rainfall and runoff 63-65
INDEX 123
Page
Salt marsh lands 13-14
Storms, table of rainfall 65
Suwanee Canal Company 18
Suwanoochee Creek 39
Swamps, vegetation in 12
Swamp and overflow lands 11-26
Area of, in Georgia 11
Creek swamps 21-22
Pond swamps 22
Soil of . .22, 35, 37, 43, 60
Value of 18, 24, 25
T
Telfair County 59-69
Bench marks 68-69
Description 59
Farming condition in 60
Proposed improvements 66-68
Rainfall and runoff 63-66
Soil 60-61
Watersheds 62-63
Tifton sandy loam 74
Tile draining 67-68
Tile drains, specifications for constructing 87-89
U
United States Department of Agriculture, drainage inves-
tigations by 28-98
V
Value of swamp lands 25
W
Wardroper, D. Lee, Swamp survey 19
Wet lands 13
Distribution of . 13
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