Sardis Lake Recreation Area Announces Temporary Closures and Boating Restrictions on Lower Lake in August and September

Sardis Lake, Miss. – Sardis Lake, located in northwest Mississippi, will temporarily cease water releases in early August to gather data for the installation of new relief wells in the outlet channel and behind the wingwalls through borings.

While releases are halted, water levels in the lower lake below the dam will be lower than normal. The water levels will drop up to 5.5 feet during this time. This will affect recreation access to many areas around the lower lake through the months of August and September, including the Labor Day Holiday.

The recreation areas at Cypress Point, Paradise Point and Main Beach will be closed. This closure impacts all swimming areas on the lower lake. In addition, both sides of the outlet channel will be closed, the outlet channel fishing pier, and the Oak Grove Campground boat dock will be closed. The Weir Ramp Access area will also be closed until the maintenance is completed.

Due to the low water levels, boating on the Lower Lake will be limited to fishing only, and low-speed operation highly recommended. Operators should consider the ability of their boat to operate in shallow water prior to accessing the Lower Lake.  No watersports will be allowed due to the current low water conditions in the Lower Lake and boaters are advised to operate with caution. Especially during low water conditions, underwater obstructions can damage boats or injure persons participating in watersports like waterskiing, tubing or wakeboarding. Obstructions that would not pose a hazard at normal water levels can do so under low water conditions, especially if operating at higher speeds.

The restriction applies only to the 400-acre Lower Lake below Sardis Dam and does not affect boating operation on the upper lake above Sardis Dam.  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.