Lower Colorado River Surveys – Copper Basin Wash (California) and Eagle Wash (Arizona)

Purpose

Desert Archaeology was contracted to conduct pedestrian surveys assessing cultural resources of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. The Copper Basin Wash area, in San Bernardino County, California, encompasses a popular recreation area used by off-road vehicles, bikers, and hikers. The Eagle Wash survey took place directly across the Colorado River in La Paz County, Arizona, inventorying properties related to historical mining activity in the Buckskin Mountains.

Actions

Records review to identify previously recorded cultural resources

Surveyed 3,849 acres along Copper Basin Wash and 3,748 acres along Eagle Wash

Evaluated eligibility of all sites for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places

Results

Desert Archaeology identified 59 sites on the Copper Basin Wash survey, including lithic reduction sites, precontact rockshelters, indigenous trail sites, historic telephone lines, historic trash sites and staging areas, a historic home, and historic mining sites.

On Eagle Wash, 15 sites were recorded that represent remarkably well-preserved historic mining sites associated with the Cienega Mining District and the transportation network that linked them.

No further archaeological work was required on Copper Basin Wash. We recommended additional signage to communicate expected behaviors to off-road vehicle users, bikers, and hikers to protect cultural resources.

Monitoring future ground-disturbing activities in the vicinity of historic mining sites was recommended for Eagle Wash.