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A program of archeological field investigations and archival research was begun at the Sny Magill Mound Group, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa in 1987 by the Midwest Archeological Center, National Park Service. The study was undertaken as part of a larger Center research effort to help develop a management strategy which will contribute to the long-term preservation of this important site. The primary purpose of the study reported herein was to compile a set of base line data on the extent and present condition of the site and to identify those natural and cultural processes which appear to have an ongoing negative impact upon it. The latter include the displacement of mound material through animal burrowing and tree falls, and the erosion of mounds along the eastern edge of the site adjacent to Johnson's Slough. An historical perspective on site disturbance was gained through an evaluation of new field data relative to information collected during previous archeological investigations dating back to 1885. Historic and recent maps of the Group were compared in order to resolve basic questions about the geographical position of the mounds. Finally, a number of additional mound-like features were recorded between the known mounds.

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