Dawson+Forest+WMA+City+of+Atlanta+Tract

Dawson Forest, City of Atlanta Tract



Physical Properties: Air temp: 50°F Soil Temp: 42°F Soil Texture: sandy, clay loam Soil pH: 6.5 very slightly acid

As you follow the Etowah River from the Amicalola River you pass through the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area, City of Atlanta Tract.



Located about 50 miles North of Atlanta, this part of Dawson Forest is owned by the City of Atlanta but managed by the Georgia Forestry Commission. At one time this area was rolling hills and farmland, but now, it's comprised of mixed stands of pines and hardwoods and used as a demonstration forest and wildlife management area. In 1956, Lockheed Martin bought the area and used it for the Georgia Nuclear Aircraft Laboratory where they tried to develop a nuclear powered aircraft.( 9 ) Since then, the forest has been monitored for radiation and there has been no threat to either public health or safety. However, 3 acres out of 10,000 continue to be restricted from public use as a precaution. In 1971, Lockheed decommissioned the site and sold the land to the City of Atlanta. In 1975, the City of Atlanta signed a formal agreement establishing the Georgia Forestry Commission as the land manager of the Dawson Forest.( 10 ) The Georgia Forestry Commission entered into additional agreements with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stating that the city-owned land would be made available for public hunting and fishing areas and that the DNR would establish wildlife feeding and habitat areas. Today the forest is frequently used for fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and birdwatching. You walk down a trail that leads you to the Etowah River.

In Dawson Forest the Etowah River changes from being a small river to a big river; within the span of a few miles it's **drainage area** almost doubles. The Etowah River's stream flow at this point is an average annual 231 ft 3 /s, but now, it's up to 434 ft 3 /s because of all the rain we have received.( 11 ) It flows as a **meandering stream** that is an integral part of the Dawson Forest **ecosystem**. The river's underlying geology is metamorphic rock composed primarily of gneiss and schist. Although the Etowah is a relatively small watershed it supports a large diversity of life comparable to much larger river systems. In fact, three species of endangered fish (the Cherokee Darter, Amber Darter, and the Etowah Darter) are found in its waters. You notice bedrock shoals formed by rock outcrops along the river. These bedrock shoals provide an important habitat for these and other endangered species. Because of mass grading and urban development in surrounding areas, erosion and sedimentation of river habitats pose dangers to the survival of the threatened and endangered species found in the Etowah River.( 12 ) Heavy sedimentation of the Etowah would kill off the fish and wildlife that inhabit its waters by inhibiting oxygen intake to gills and reducing the amount of gravel, cobble, and bedrock habitats that are necessary for foraging and reproduction. In a sense, sedimentation will choke the fish and eventually the river.

While the Amicalola is a fast moving tributary, the Etowah at this point has widened and slowed down some. Although the water has become more murky it is still relatively clear and you have no problem seeing the bottom or spotting fish here in the Etowah River. Luckily, Dawson Forest has a large **riparian zone** providing a natural filter to the watershed that helps to reduce river bank erosion and habitat sedimentation in the Etowah River. A riparian zone is the zone of trees, plants, and shrubs that surround a body of water. In areas that have experienced building and new construction, rainwater runoff picks up sediment and flows unchecked back into streams and lakes. Rainwater runoff that travels through riparian zones is trapped by plant roots and filtered through leaf or ground litter. Plants' root systems also hold the soil together which helps to prevent banks from eroding and also act as a buffer between the water body and cleared or impervious surfaces like parking lots or streets. Having a riparian zone helps in keeping sedimentation of waterways down so that the water is nice and clear. After enjoying the sounds of the forest and river you travel along to your next stop, the Allatoona Dam.

2b. What purpose does the Riparian Zone serve?**
 * Question 2a: What are some dangers that heavy sedimentation poses to aquatic wildlife?