Problems go beyond bad smell

Donna Wear's interest in Rae's Creek was piqued six years ago when one of her students shared a blunt observation.

"It stunk," the Augusta State University biology professor recalled. "We were walking up there after a rainstorm and it literally stunk."

The historic waterway, which meanders through Augusta National Golf Club and forms lakes Aumond and Olmstead, bears urban runoff, sewage overflows, lawn fertilizers and basic litter.

In recent months, however, Dr. Wear's research students have found more dangerous issues, such as elevated levels of mercury, arsenic and other toxic materials in fish and sediment samples.

"It's something that's probably been there a long time," she said. "It's just that now we're taking a closer look."

The creek and its lakes are home to bream and largemouth bass that yielded concentrations of heavy metals far greater than those found in the nearby Savannah River, into which Rae's Creek eventually empties.

"I see people fishing in a lot of areas, and in some cases they are probably eating those fish," she said, adding that mercury levels were high enough to possibly warrant consumption advisories.

Sediment samples yielded similarly high levels, she said. Mercury was measured at 191 parts per billion, compared with background levels of 4 to 51 parts per billion. Arsenic was found at 3,214 parts per billion compared with background levels of 1,100.

Dr. Wear isn't sure what the source of the contamination might be but has prepared applications for grants of up to $150,000 to allow further studies of the creek, its lakes and adjoining watershed.

In addition to defining the extent and source of pollution in Rae's Creek, the proposed study would also help educate the public about any health hazards that might exist.

Dr. Wear said the mercury and arsenic could have originated from many different sources, including illegal dumping upstream of items that could have included batteries or chemical containers.

The contamination could also be linked to the creek's historic past.

Rae's Creek's headwaters spring from the ground off Frontage Road near Interstate 20. Its channel crosses Wrightsboro Road twice before flowing toward west Augusta.

Ever since Irishman John Rae established a grist mill on its banks in 1765, the creek that bears his name has fostered sites that could have contributed, Dr. Wear said. Sites have included lumber mills, a possible gold mine and a foundry.

Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119 or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.