Cultural Resources Assessment

Within the Lake Rhodhiss Study Area, there are 66 previously recorded cultural resources including 6 architectural resources and 60 archaeological sites. Architectural resources include 2 single dwellings, 2 dams, and 2 bridges. The architectural resources range in date from the early nineteenth to the middle twentieth century. The archeological sites range from the Early Archaic through the Historic cultural periods.

Twenty sites are associated with the archaic periods and 14 are from the woodland period. Eleven of the prehistoric sites are habitation sites, but site function could not be determined for 23 of the archaeological sites. Fourteen of the sites are associated with the historic period. One historic archaeological site is the possible location for eighteenth-century Fort McDowell. There are also three historic cemetery sites within the study area. Fourteen of the sites have been affected by landfills, four are underwater, six are affected by erosion, and one has been destroyed, although another site is now a parking lot and another is on the site of a future road. The associated time period has not been determined for 12 of the archaeological sites.

None of the archaeological sites are listed in the National Register.

The Bellevue house is the only architectural resource listed in the National Register.

The information on both the archaeological and architectural sites from the state files is being used in preparation of the predictive model to assign the shoreline on Lake Rhodhiss either a High, Medium, Low, or No probability for the occurrence of cultural resources. Prior to the completion of the model non-exempt activities such as excavation projects, commercial marina development, and certain conveyance projects will be provided to the appropriate SHPO for review before construction or excavation activity begins within the project boundary. To ensure the potential impact to cultural resources is properly evaluated after completion of the predictive model, Lake Management will review the predictive model for all non-exempt activities. Applicants for all non-exempt lake use permitting activities in medium and high probability areas will be required to consult with the appropriate SHPO regarding their proposal.