Vicksburg, Miss. – Arkabutla Lake has experienced low water conditions since the Emergency Action Plan for Arkabutla Dam was activated in early May due to issues identified on the dam. The lake will continue to see lower than normal water levels for the foreseeable future until repairs are completed.
As the lake level was lowered, most of the traditional water access points became unusable and have remained that way. Currently the only consistent water access point is via a gravel ramp at Hwy. 51 Landing. Boaters, including non-powered vessel users such as kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards must continue to abide by mandatory Personal Flotation Device (lifejacket) wear rules.
Access to the lake bottom during low water periods is not a new occurrence. It happens each year during the winter drawdown, though levels now are lower than they would be during a normal drawdown period. Visitors are reminded that access to the lake bottom with ATVs and UTVs is not allowed through designated recreation areas and boat ramps. A designated recreation area is a place with recreation facilities such as buildings, camp sites, picnic sites, pavilions, boat ramps, playgrounds, etc.
Visitors are allowed to access the lake bottom at specific access locations listed here:
Kelley’s Access Fogg Road Access
Dietchman’s Road Oak Grove East
Coldwater Point Oak Grove West
Cane Creek Access Baldwin Road Access
Crawford Point Baker Road
Wolf Creek Plantation Point
ATV/UTV operators must wear a DOT approved helmet when operating and use is only allowed between the hours of sunrise and sunset.
Hunters are reminded that no hunting or trapping is allowed within 1000 feet of any dam, building, construction site, or public use area unless otherwise marked.
Other rules concerning ATV/UTV operation, hunting and fishing, and PFD wear can be accessed through the Arkabutla Lake website: https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Arkabutla-Lake
Violators of these rules can be subject to citation. For more information, please contact the Arkabutla Lake Field Office at (662)561-6261 or (662) 292-1992.
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.
XXX