Despite Newton County's determination to construct the Bear Creek Reservoir, some opponents of the plan question why the county doesn't consider pumping water from the South River instead, though that project is not without its own shortfalls. Supporters of the South River plan propose to construct a water filtration plant on the South Ocumulgee River at Snapping Shoals Creek on property owned by Thomas Brothers Hydro, Inc., which would withdraw 30 million gallons of water a day. Thomas Brothers co-owner Hoke Thomas said an application for a 404 environmental permit from the U.S. Army Corp of