An Archaeological Survey of Proposed System Improvements for the Fouke Water Supply Corporation in Southeast Wood County, Texas

Abstract

An archaeological evaluation of a proposed 53 mile (96.4 acres) water line in southeast Wood County, Texas was performed by Brazos Valley Research Associates (BVRA) in February 2003 under Texas Antiquities Permit 3068. This project was reviewed by the Texas Historical Commission (THC), Archeology Division. Federal involvement is through the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development. Although the records check at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL) at the University of Texas at Austin revealed several archaeological sites had been recorded in the vicinity of the project area, no sites were found in the path of the water line. The vast majority of the water line follows disturbed road rights- of-way. Other reasons for a lack of sites are the presence of clay at or near the surface along much of the construction corridor. A significant portion of the project area is in low areas and along the slopes of hills greater than 20 percent. It is recommended that the Fouke Water Supply Corporation be allowed to proceed with construction with no further archaeological investigations. Copies of this report are on file at TARL; THC; Fouke Water Supply Corporation in Mineola, Texas; and BVRA.