Vicksburg, Miss – Recent storms dropped between three and five inches of rain in the area upstream of Arkabutla Lake. The lake level has risen above 210 ft. and is expected to peak above 215 ft. in the next few days.   Pool levels at Arkabutla Dam, located in DeSoto and Tate Counties in Northwest Mississippi, can fluctuate quickly especially during the rainy season.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District (USACE-MVK) declared a potential breach emergency status at Arkabutla Lake in May of 2023 when a depression was discovered near the toe of the dam. The Corps has been maintaining the lake at approximately 204 ft. to reduce pressure on the dam and to complete interim repairs. The Corps will continue to draw down the increased pool levels with releases up to 4,500 cfs until the level reaches the 204 ft. target level.

Safety remains a top priority, and the USACE-MVK has increased surveillance at the dam. Additional remote monitoring devices are in place and added personnel are on the ground to monitor the situation for any changes in the dam.

The physical condition of the dam remains unchanged, and a dam breach is NOT imminent.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District is coordinating with the National Weather Service and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to maximize public awareness in affected areas.

Visit this site to get regularly updated reservoir pool levels:

https://www.mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/resrep.htm

The USACE Vicksburg District is engineering solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges. The Vicksburg District encompasses a 68,000-square-mile area across portions of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana, that holds nine major river basins and incorporates approximately 460 miles of mainline Mississippi River levees. The Vicksburg District is engaged in hundreds of projects and employs approximately 1,100 personnel.