Phinizy Swamp Nature Park

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park

1858 Lock and Dam Rd, Augusta, Georgia, 30906
706-828-2109
www.phinizycenter.org
November 18, 2023 | 10:30am

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is an 1100-acre floodplain of the Savannah River. The confluence of Butler Creek with the Savannah River creates a wetland that attracts a large number of birds at all times of the year. In typical swamp fashion, it also abounds with bald cypresses, loblollies, and Spanish moss.

The area was first occupied by Native Americans. In 1778, an Italian entrepreneur, Ferdinand Victor Francois Phinizy, settled in the area with his family. Another family named Cason owned land in the area as well (the Cason Family Cemetery is located on Butler Creek Trail). These two families started developing the land. Over the decades, the area was used for farming and cattle pastures. It became part of a beef farm for Gracewood, a state-run mental health institution from the 1950s to 1973. The City of Augusta took over the land in 1973 and was left undeveloped, unfortunately becoming an illegal dumping spot. The City needed to update its wastewater treatment system in accordance with the Federal Clean Water Act, so in 1993, the city restored the site to a wetlands ecosystem. The wetlands is now a tertiary water treatment stage for the water treatment plant. The constructed wetlands is slowly converting into a natural wetlands as the almost-clean wastewater undergoes its final filter. Wildlife is returning to the wetlands, including beavers and otters, and pollution-intolerant aquatic insects such as riffle beetles and mayflies have returned to Butler Creek.

The Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy was established to monitor the new wetlands. The Academy later became the Phinizy Center for Water Sciences. The Center promotes environmental stewardship through research, education, and public outreach. The Center has both paid and volunteer staff members who conduct research studies, provide training for K-12 teachers, educate school groups and lead citizen scientists. Georgia Master Naturalists are trained there. The Center holds numerous nature hikes and other public events.

The Equalization Pond is one of the first water features and sports a number of aquatic plants, turtles, and a number of alligators, a couple who are quite large (the Pond wildlife is contained in a large wooden barrier). This is a great area for wading birds and ducks. Other trails wander along streams or along swampy areas. Phinizy has numerous trails past the Equalization Pond, many wandering between the various other holding ponds. Many birds and some insects are found in these ponds; recommended are binoculars or a good zoom camera may help with identifications in these areas.

Heads up – as a swamp, Phinizy can buzz with activity. There is always a possibility of mosquitoes in more mild weather, and snakes (especially cottonmouths) can be very prevalent at times. Please come prepared with any necessary items.

There are restrooms in the parking lot area. The Visitor Center also has restrooms.

Another area of interest – if you follow Lock and Dam Road past the turn-off to Phinizy (a little over a mile past), the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam Park is a walking park on the Savannah River. The dam and locks were built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1937 and served commercially; “New Savannah” is a dead town that was first a Chickasaw village in 1740 but became an American tobacco inspection area/town after the Revolutionary War.

Directions:

If you are going to Phinizy from South Carolina, unless you are taking a very scenic route, you will be coming into Georgia on I-20 from the east. Take Exit 196A onto I-520/Bobby Jones Expressway. Take Exit 10 (Doug Barnard Parkway/Augusta Regional Airport) and turn RIGHT off the ramp. Travel approximately 1 mile then turn left onto Lock and Dam Rd. Just under ½ mile up the road, turn left at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park sign. This leads to the general parking area. Do not continue down Lock and Dam Rd – that goes to the Education Center and Visitor Center. We are meeting in the parking lot, NOT the Centers. However, if you are interested in visiting the Visitor Center – which has park information, natural history exhibits, and a small shop – it is open Saturday from 9am – 1pm.

Dinner:

For those who enjoy a post-soodle munchies, there are a number of restaurants about 1.5 miles from I-520 on the way back to I-20. These include The Boll Weevil Café (Southern cuisine), Laziza Mediterranean Grill, Whiskey Bar Kitchen (American), Farmhaus Burger, Diablo’s Southwest Grill (Mexican), and TacoCat.