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Q General description: A complex river system extends across the Piedmont and 



Coastal Plain of Georgia, along which occur the typical southern river swamps. 

 These bottomland forests have been classified by Penfound (1952) as deep 

 swamps. He recognized two communities: southern cypress-tupelo gum 

 (Taxodium distichum-Nyssa aquatica) and swamp gum-pond cypress (Nyssa 

 biflora-Taxodium ascendens). The former occurs in the flood plains of large 

 rivers and the latter are much more common on the upland of the Coastal Plain. 

 Braun (1950) reports a similar pattern with the addition of pond pine (Pinus 

 rigida var. serotina) which is also found on nonalluvial sites. Such large inland 

 swamps as the Okefenokee exhibit species representing both wetland phases 

 (Wright and Wright 1932). 



In areas underlain by limestone, slumping of the surface strata often results in 

 water-filled depressions such as Sag Ponds in northwest Georgia. Such sites ex- 

 hibit a distinctive biota and often show a sequence of vegetation development 

 that is' related to the time the specific depressions were formed. Also associated 

 with the limestone are natural springs such as Spooner Springs and Spring Creek 

 Swamp in southwest Georgia. 



Status of the wetlands: One of the major threats to the natural river systems of 

 the state is channelization. There exists a serious conflict of interest between 

 federal agencies as to the long-term benefits of such operations. Although addi- 

 tional agricultural land may accrue to certain contiguous landowners, these 

 values are not equal to the current values of these river systems left in their 

 undisturbed natural state. This has been well documented by Wharton (1970). 

 Other threats include cutting and encroachment by developers. 



Sources of data: Data were supplied by the Georgia Natural Areas Council, the 

 State Game and Fish Commission, and university biologists. 



Recommendations: Among the several river bottomland forests, the 1 2,000 

 acres along the Altamaha River near the junction of the Oconee and Ocmulgee 

 rivers and the Lower Altamaha including an estimated 50,000 acres of the Doc- 

 tortown Swamp should be given top priority. Other river ecosystems which 

 merit further investigation are the Little Ohoopee, Alcovy, Middle Oconee, and 

 Murder Creek. The Alcovy River watershed is of special interest, since Wharton 

 ( 1970) estimates its natural value at over $7 million annually. Of unique floristic 

 interest is the Alapaha River Swamp dominated by a pigmy cypress forest. 



Of the two natural springs reported — Spooner Springs and Spring Creek 

 Swamp — the former is the more extensive (900 acres) and least disturbed. How- 

 ever, both are State Registered Natural Areas. The Sag Ponds complex com- 

 prises only 10 acres but exhibits an unusual sequence of sink holes or ponds in 

 dolomitic limestone. 



The Middle Oconee River is the only area reported with beaver ponds. These 

 extend along an 8-mile stretch of the river. Unfortunately, a watershed project 

 involving clearing and snagging is threatening this 400-acre tract. Data on Big 

 Dukes Pond is limited. However, it represents a sizeable wetland on the Coastal 

 Plain. It should be given special consideration. 



The Okefenokee Swamp as a National Wildlife Refuge is currently serving as 

 a natural area. It is without a doubt one of the outstanding wetlands in the state. 



For further information on natural areas of Georgia two recent reports of the 

 Georgia Natural Areas Council are relevant — Activities Report, 1970 and Geor- 

 gia Scenic Rivers Report, Preliminary Study, 1970. Several of the areas reported 



