Heggie's Rock occupies approximately 130 acres (53 hectares) graniteoutcropping in Columbia County, Georgia, approximately 20 miles (32 km) from Augusta, Georgia.[1] The outcropping rises approximately 70 feet (21 m) above the surrounding area, which is bordered by two streams, Benton Branch and Little Kiokee Creek, the latter of which flows into the Savannah River approximately 8 miles (13 km) downstream from the rock.[1] In 1980, the area was deemed a National Natural Landmark.[1] In 1983, The Nature Conservancy purchased 101 acres (41 hectares) of the rock, creating Heggie's Rock Preserve.[2][3] In 1998, scientists at Heggie's Rock described a new genus and species of copepod found only at the rock.[4]