USACE Vicksburg District halts water release at Sardis Dam for routine inspections

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District has temporarily stopped releasing water at Sardis Lake in preparation for routine maintenance and inspection of several key flood control structures that will take place until August 31.

Sardis Dam ceased releasing water last week so that the outlet channel and lower lake water levels could begin lowering for inspections. The water level in the lower lake will drop approximately  4-4.5 feet during this time.

Several recreation areas around the lower lake will be impacted. Approximately every five years, the outlet channel is closed and water is removed from the basin so inspections can be completed. 

The beaches and swim areas at Paradise Point, Cypress Point and Main Beach are currently closed due to the low water levels in the lower lake. They will remain closed through August 31. The pavilions and picnic area at Paradise Point will remain open. The north and south sides of the outlet channel, as well as the Weir Ramp access area, will be closed from July 31 to August 31.

The boat docks at Lower Lake Boat Ramp and Oak Grove Campground are currently unusable due to the low water levels as is the fishing pier at the Outlet Channel. Access to the Lower Lake Boat Ramp may also be impacted if repairs are needed while water levels are lowered.

For additional information, please contact the Sardis Lake Field Office at 662-563-4531.

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.