The bridge ahead crosses Butler Creek -- once polluted and now on its way to recovery. About a half mile upstream from this bridge is a canal called Phinizy Ditch, which was used for many years as a path for untreated wastewater to enter Butler Creek and then the Savannah River . Thanks to the wastewater treatment plant (built in 1968), and the creation of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment (in 1997), Butler Creek is a healthy place for wildlife once again. Look carefully under the bridge and see if you can spot any animals in or by the water. Turtles are common and, if you come at dusk, you can sometimes see a muskrat, river otter, or beaver. Snakes like it here as well.
The area surrounding Butler Creek is a type of wetland called a floodplain. When rains are heavy the floodplain fills up with water and holds it to prevent flooding. This is just one reason wetlands are important. Many wetland plants call this floodplain their home. Trees include bald cypress, red maple, and willow, while herbaceous plants are mostly arrowhead, alligatorweed, pennywort, duckweed, and some cattail.
After the bridge, follow the graveled path straight. On the right is a large field that was farmed at one time. On the left there used to be a dilapidated barn where the farmer kept equipment. This site now hosts the Phinizy Swamp Campus, consisting of a K-12 Education Building, a Research Center , an Administration Building , and a Visitor’s Center. The open area straight ahead was floodplain that was farmed for over a hundred years. Now this area is the site of the city of Augusta 's constructed wetlands (an additional step in the wastewater treatment process). Continue straight until you reach the trail sign that indicates to turn left.
The raised areas you are walking on are called "berms." The berms separate the constructed wetlands from natural habitats. As you walk, notice the difference between these man-made areas and the natural areas. The plants in the constructed wetlands (mostly cutgrass, cattails, and rushes) were chosen because they could tolerate the high nutrient conditions found in the treated wastewater flowing through the system.
There are twelve constructed wetland "cells." Each wetland cell consists of a marsh, a pond, and another marsh. They are designed to naturally break down (via bacteria) or absorb excess nutrients in the wastewater over a 2-day period. Treated water from the wastewater treatment plant enters through a set of low pipes at the front of the cell (you may hear or see this) and is collected at the end of the cell to be sent to the final clarifying pond and then into Butler Creek.
Keep your eyes open for wildlife. Frog calls are common during the summer. Beavers have been seen at night, and some visitors have seen alligators in some of the cells. Birds of every sort and variety are common throughout the year in the constructed wetlands. The tall white wading birds are great egrets. Tall blue-gray birds are great blue herons. These birds are commonly seen year round. Ibis, cattle egrets, little blue herons, and occasionally the endangered wood stork join them in the summer months. Migrating waterfowl are common from November until March. Shorebirds also stop here on their spring and fall migrations. Birds of prey such as hawks and vultures can be seen in the skies year round.
The large metal pole by the constructed wetland path is a wind shear tower for the Augusta Regional Airport .
As you approach the chain link fence ahead, look to the left at the natural marshy wetland. This is a branch of the oxbow lake that can be viewed from the observation deck at the end of this trail. The chain link fence ahead encloses the distribution canal, which contains treated wastewater about to enter the constructed wetlands. The concrete boxes embedded in the bank of the distribution canal are weirs that channel water into each of the constructed wetland cells. As you are standing by the end of the canal, look at the tall trees that line the far edge of this lone constructed wetland cell. Some of these clumps were created by the shifting course of the Savannah River , and are called river scars. You can walk beside these river scar swamps by following the trail guide for the river scar trail that starts here.
To continue on the constructed wetland trail, follow the road to the left and cross the footbridge. Stop and look at the plants. Some of the plants in the pond are actually floating on the water surface, while others are rooted in the ground and emerging into the air. Cattail is very prevalent in this area. River otters love this area too, but are rarely seen.
The fence ahead delineates the equalization pond. This is where the treated wastewater flows before entering the constructed wetlands. The Beaver Pond Observation Deck and Boardwalk is to the left. To get to the Beaver Dam Trail, continue following the road past the boardwalk and descend the wooden stairs you will eventually see on your left.
We hope you've enjoyed your trip through Phinizy Swamp Nature Park . Please feel free to ask us any questions you may have. You can reach our offices Monday-Friday from 8-4 at (706) 828-2109.
Constructed Wetlands Trail
*Read this side if you are picking up the trail guide near the fenced equalization pond
To start the constructed wetland trail, cross the footbridge in front of you. Stop and look at the plants below. Some of the plants in the pond are actually floating on the water surface, while others are rooted in the ground and emerging into the air. Cattail is very prevalent in this area. River otters love this area too, but are rarely seen.
The chain link fence ahead encloses the distribution canal, which contains treated wastewater about to enter the constructed wetlands. The concrete boxes embedded in the bank of the distribution canal are weirs that channel water into each of the constructed wetland cells. As you are standing by the end of the canal, look at the tall trees that line the far edge of the lone constructed wetland cell on the left. Some of these clumps were created by the shifting course of the Savannah River , and are called river scars. You can walk beside these river scar swamps by following the trail guide for the river scar trail that starts here. As you curve to the right and leave the chain link fence behind, look to the right at the natural marshy wetland. This is a branch of the oxbow lake that you viewed from the Beaver Pond Observation Deck.
All of this open area was once floodplain swamp that was cleared and farmed for over a hundred years. Now this area is the site of the city of Augusta 's constructed wetlands (an additional step in the wastewater treatment process). The raised areas you are walking on are called "berms." The berms separate the constructed wetlands from natural habitats. As you walk, notice the difference between these man-made areas and the natural areas.
There are twelve constructed wetland "cells." Each wetland cell consists of a marsh, a pond, and another marsh. They are designed to naturally break down (via bacteria) or absorb excess nutrients in the wastewater over a 2-day period. Treated water from the wastewater treatment plant enters through a set of low pipes at the front of the cell (you may hear or see this) and is collected at the end of the cell to be sent to the final clarifying pond and then into Butler Creek. The plants in the constructed wetlands (mostly cutgrass, cattails, and rushes) were chosen because they could tolerate the high nutrient conditions of the cells.
Keep your eyes open for wildlife. Frog calls are common during the summer. Beavers have been seen at night, and some visitors have seen alligators in some of the cells. Birds of every sort and variety are common throughout the year in the constructed wetlands. The tall white wading birds are great egrets. Tall blue-gray birds are great blue herons. These birds are commonly seen year round. Ibis, cattle egrets, little blue herons, and occasionally the endangered wood stork join them in the summer months. Migrating waterfowl are common from November until March. Shorebirds also stop here on their spring and fall migrations. Birds of prey such as hawks and vultures can be seen in the skies year round.
The large metal pole by the constructed wetland path is a wind shear tower for the Augusta Regional Airport .
Continue to follow the graveled road that borders the constructed wetland cells. When you come to another Constructed Wetland trail sign, turn right. On the left is a large field that was farmed at one time. On the right there used to be a dilapidated barn where the farmer kept equipment. This site now hosts the Phinizy Swamp Campus, consisting of a K-12 Education Building, a Research Center , an Administrative Building , and a Visitor’s Center.
The bridge ahead crosses Butler Creek -- once polluted and now on its way to recovery. About a half mile upstream from this bridge is a canal called Phinizy Ditch, which was used for many years as a path for untreated wastewater to enter Butler Creek and then the Savannah River . Thanks to the wastewater treatment plant (built in 1968), and the creation of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment (in 1997), Butler Creek is a healthy place for wildlife once again. Look carefully under the bridge and see if you can spot any animals in or by the water. Turtles are common and, if you come at dusk, you can sometimes see a muskrat, river otter, or beaver. Snakes like it here as well.
The area surrounding Butler Creek is a type of wetland called a floodplain. When rains are heavy the floodplain fills up with water and holds it to prevent flooding. This is just one reason wetlands are important. Many wetland plants call this floodplain their home. Trees include bald cypress, red maple, and willow, while herbaceous plants are mostly arrowhead, alligatorweed, pennywort, duckweed, and some cattail.
We hope you've enjoyed your trip through Phinizy Swamp Nature Park . Please feel free to ask us any questions you may have. You can reach our offices Monday-Friday from 8-4 at (706) 828-2109.