VICKSBURG, Miss. – Elevated water levels on the Ouachita River have delayed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District’s emergency repair work at Columbia Lock and Dam, located approximately seven miles upstream of Columbia, Louisiana. Due to unusually severe rain events in February 2019, river stages have been at or slightly above the top of the lock’s walls. Up until this week, the Vicksburg District and Massman Construction Co. have successfully used alternative construction methods to mitigate impacts from the high river stages and avoid suspension of repair work at the site. Massman Construction Co. modified its working platforms to allow repair work to continue despite the higher-than-normal river stages on the Ouachita River. Recent rainfall has now caused river stages to overtop the lock’s walls by over two feet, flooding the site and stopping work. River stages are currently continuing on a flat to slow rise with additional rain in the forecast. The current pool at Columbia Lock and Dam is 13 feet higher than normal pool stage. (Stock Photo)

VICKSBURG, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District hosted a signing ceremony for two water storage space agreements at DeGray Lake near Arkadelphia, Arkansas, April 3. Vicksburg District Commander Col. Michael C. Derosier, along with Central Arkansas Water (CAW) Chief Executive Officer Tad Bohannan and City of Hot Springs Mayor Pat McCabe signed the agreements. The agreement with CAW is for an estimated 157,014 acre-feet of storage and will supply approximately 100 million gallons a day (MGD) of water to their customers. The agreement with the City of Hot Springs is for an estimated 31,456 acre-feet and will supply approximately 20 MGD to the city.

Vicksburg, MISS -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District is conducting daily patrols across the entirety of its jurisdiction as a part of its flood fight efforts due to elevated river stages across the region. At this time, all of the mainline Mississippi River gages in the Vicksburg District’s jurisdiction are experiencing major or moderate flooding, according to the National Weather Service. Technical experts from the Vicksburg District office and the Greenwood and Vidalia area offices are deploying to inspect and monitor flood control works, such as levees, floodwalls, reservoirs and relief wells, to ensure that they continue to function as designed. These patrols will continue as long as elevated water levels persist. The district has observed no significant sand boils or seepage at flood control sites.

VICKSBURG, MISS…The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District is seeking more volunteers to operate the Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum and Interpretive Site (LMRM). Civic clubs, groups or individuals are welcome to volunteer.