Phase Ia Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey of Proposed Lake Monroe Access and Pumping Unit Areas, Monroe County, Indiana

Abstract

In March 2004, the Glenn A. Black Laboratory Office of Cultural Resource Management (GBL-OCRM), Indiana University, conducted a Phase Ia archaeological survey of the proposed Lake Monroe access and pumping unit areas under contract with the City of Bloomington Utilities Department. The proposed Area of Potential Effect (APE) is comprised of approximately 467 m² (0.5 hectares) and is located in Monroe County, Polk Township, Section 6. Background research and field survey were conducted to: (1) identify and document all cultural resources in the project area; (2) provide an evaluation of National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures (IRHSS) eligibility for all identified cultural resources within the project corridor; and (3) provide recommendations for mitigation if avoidance of NRHP- or IRHSS-eligible sites is not possible. This survey was conducted in compliance with the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) (32 CFR 229). Visual surface inspection and shovel testing were conducted within the project boundaries. Shovel tests were excavated on a 10 m x 10 m grid within the proposed APE. A total of 467 m2 (0.5 hectares) were subjected to survey. Fieldwork was conducted on 1-2 March 2004 by GBL archaeologists George Mankowski and Bryan Will. No previously recorded archaeological sites are located within the current APE, and no new archaeological sites were recorded during the field investigations. The Moore Creek and Salt Creek drainage systems afforded a pre-lake construction environment that was extensively utilized by early inhabitants of the region. This can clearly be seen by the number of previously recorded sites encompassing Lake Monroe on landforms similar to the current project APE. The majority of the sites surrounding the lake appear to be situated on hillslope/floodplain interfaces. The construction of Lake Monroe has accelerated the erosional processes on these adjacent landforms and in the process has likely removed archaeological deposits. The continual fluctuation of pool levels combined with the slope of the landform have led to a considerable amount of surface erosion within the project APE. This may explain the lack of previously recorded archaeological sites within the APE, as well as the current lack of cultural materials. Due to the absence of cultural deposits within the APE, it is the opinion of the GBL-OCRM that no further investigation is necessary, and archaeological clearance is therefore recommended. However, if artifacts, cultural features, and/or remains that might prove to be human are discovered during earth-moving activities, the State Historic Preservation Officer at the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA), Indiana Department of Natural Resources, should be contacted immediately.