Mississippi lakes to host annual Fish Habitat Day events

VICKSBURG, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District’s north Mississippi lakes – Arkabutla, Sardis, Enid and Grenada lakes – will each host Fish Habitat Day events in February that will provide volunteers an opportunity to participate in the restoration of fishing habitats.

The Enid Lake Fish Habitat Day event will take place Feb. 1. Volunteers will meet at the Enid Lake Field Office at 7:00 a.m. For more information, contact the field office at 662-563-4571.

The Arkabutla Lake Fish Habitat Day event will take place Feb. 8. Volunteers will meet at the Arkabutla Lake Field Office at 7:30 a.m. For more information, contact the field office at 662-562-6261.

The Sardis Lake Fish Habitat Day event will take place Feb. 22. Volunteers will meet at the Sardis Lake Field Office at 8:00 a.m. For more information, contact the field office at 662-563-4531.

The Grenada Lake Fish Habitat Day event will take place Feb. 29. Volunteers will meet at Torrance Landing at 8:00 a.m. For more information, contact the field office at 662-226-5911.

Fish Habitat Day is held during the winter, when water levels are typically at their lowest. Note that event times are subject to change due to fluctuating water levels.

Each year on Fish Habitat Day, district park rangers, natural resources specialists and volunteers construct and place fish shelters from discarded cedar and Christmas trees, wooden stakes and other material. These shelters help restore fishes’ natural habitat and provide recreation for visitors to the lakes.

Volunteers will be working in muddy conditions and are encouraged to wear outdoor work clothing, gloves and protective eyewear. Volunteers will be allowed to use personal ATVs and UTVs during the event but must wear Department of Transportation-approved helmets and abide by all applicable regulations.

Arkabutla, Enid, Sardis and Grenada lakes, the four Mississippi flood control reservoirs in the Vicksburg District’s area of responsibility, were authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1936, which provided a plan designed to address flooding that originated in the Yazoo Basin. The four reservoirs are used to hold runoff, or excess rainwater, as a flood-prevention measure. With approximately 3.2 million visitors each year, the north Mississippi lakes also contribute approximately $82 million into the local economy.

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