Titled: Washington County Field Trip – to focus on water and power issues
Field Trip Leader: Wm. Hovey Smith
Date: February 7th
Rain Date: TBD
Washington County, located in the middle of the state just south of the Fall Line, has long been known as a kaolin-producing county; but has recently assumed new importance as the site for a power generation from coal-fired, biomass, solar and natural gas generating facilities which may each play a part in meeting the state's expanding energy needs. Although only peak-period generation by natural gas from two facilities are presently on-line, the other facilities are in the process of being permitted.
Proposed water supplies for the coal-fired plant are to be derived from the Oconee River on the western part of the county as well as from the county's complex aquifer systems which may be called upon to supply up to 16 million gallons per day during the river's low-flow periods. Issues which will be examined on the trip will include inspection of the general geology, an understanding of the complexities of predicting drilling results in a complex system of coalescing, superimposed deltas and possible fossil barrier island formation.
Wm. Hovey Smith, who is a Professional Geologist, and native of Washington County will lead the trip which will began in Milledgeville with stops at Plant Branch on Lake Sinclair, the river at Milledgeville and other stops to be arranged. Smith holds a B.S. Degree from the University of Georgia, a M.S. from the University of Alaska and did post-graduate work at the University of Arizona and the University of Arkansas. He is also an author who has published some 13 books including "Kaolin Deposits of Central Georgia" which is a now-outdated, but traditional, overview of the industry. His work experience includes geochemical exploration throughout North America and a five-year employment in the local kaolin industry as an Information Scientist. His most recent titles are in the outdoor press including Practical Bowfishing (Stoeger, 2004) and Crossbow Hunting (Stackpole, 2006). Smith's views as a geologist with a strong environmental interest whose home is located only four miles from the proposed coal-fired plant will provide an interesting outlook on the development of these new power resources.
The trip will conclude at the author's historic plantation home with refreshments and the opportunity to sample some wild game dishes. Handouts will be provided to registered participants.
We will plan to meet at the Cracker Barrel in Conyers @
8 am sharp to carpool to the area. A headcount will be required no later than
Jan. 30, 2009 so that guidebooks can be produced.
There will be 5 pdhs available.
Address: Cracker Barrel
I-20 , Exit# 82
I-20 & State Route 138
1182 Dogwood Drive Conyers, GA30094
Located off I-20 .
Field Trips 
