The Waller Creek Tunnel Project: Archeological Investigations Along Waller Creek

This report documents the results of an archeological survey conducted in advance of the City of Austin’s proposed Waller Creek Tunnel project. In June 2008, Ecological Communications Corporation undertook archaeological investigations in advance of the City of Austin’s proposed Waller Creek Tunnel, an undertaking that entails diverting 100% of the storm water flow to a flood control bypass tunnel and discharging it to Lady Bird Lake just of the Waller Creek confluence. The investigations consisted of background research regarding the history and land use of the City’s proposed project area and an archaeological field survey to identify any potentially significant cultural resources that could be impacted by the project. The archeological survey involved backhoe trenching at two locations along the tunnel’s route that had potential for archaeological resources: the outfall at Waller Beach on the shore of Lady Bird Lake )formerly Town Lake), and the tunnel inlet at Waterloo Park. Investigators excavated a total of 14 trenches and only two of them contained intact archeological deposits, resulting in the designation of one new site 41TV2304 in Waterloo Park. The intact deposits consisted of two brick house pier foundations and an artifact bearing surface with materials from the mid-twentieth century. Due to is limited size, late date and somewhat typical nature of the features and artifacts found at site 41TV2304, it is not recommended as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or as a State Archeological Landmark. The project was conducted under Antiquities Permit 4935. A sample of the artifacts and all project records will be permanently curated at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL) in Austin, Texas.