Class II (Reconnaissance) Cultural Resource Survey of Reclamation Withdrawn Land Along the East Side of the Lower Verde River: Report

This project is part of the Lower Verde River Survey. Other entries related to that project can be found at the following link: https://core.tdar.org/collection/27743
As required under Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation) Phoenix Area Office conducted a Class III (intensive) cultural resources inventory of approximately 6,200 acres of Reclamation withdrawn land along the west side of the lower Verde River in early 2000, which was completed by Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd. (ACS) (Boston et al. 2003). Previous delivery orders have resulted in the survey of all of the project area west of the Verde River except for some 520 acres of apparently private property west of the Verde River. Much of the eastern side of the Verde River is very rugged and access is for the most part very difficult. Consequently, instead of attempting to survey 100 percent of this area, Reclamation requested a Class II reconnaissance survey to be completed for the east side of the Verde River.
The primary purpose of the Class II survey was to determine if safe access to the project area is possible. The secondary purpose was to assess the nature of site density/distribution based on a random 10 percent sample strategy designed specifically for the reconnaissance survey. Based on previous work discussed in Boston et al. (2003), the 5–10 year floodplain (Zone A) likely does not contain significant sites, and therefore, the Class II survey was focused on higher terraces and uplands. The survey was designed to cover up to 100 acres of Zones B, C, D, and H (as delineated on maps in this report), and also included investigation of one side canyon. Zone H was represented by four disconnected parcels which varied with respect to site potential, geomorphological characteristics, and access issues. For field logistics and reporting purposes, these zones were divided when necessary and all areas were renamed using a Study Area designation. In total, six study areas were delineated for the Class II survey.
The photos taken during the survey can be found at tDAR ID: 393925.
The photo log is available at tDAR ID: 393924.