USACE to begin Phase II Interim Risk Reduction Measures at Arkabutla Dam

Vicksburg, Miss – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District is beginning Phase II of interim risk reduction measures (IRRMs) at Arkabutla Dam. This work will further stabilize the dam and reduce risks for downstream communities.

Work is scheduled to begin next week and includes grouting the conduit (tunnel through the dam) foundation to fill voids and prevent further loss of material through the dam. To safely access the area, crews have closed the dam’s gates, which will temporarily stop releases.

If the lake reaches critical levels during the gate closure, work will be paused, and releases will be made up to 4,500 cfs to lower the lake before work can resume.

The target pool level of 204 ft. will remain in place after interim repairs are complete.

For current lake levels, visit the Vicksburg District Water Management Website Reservoir Page: https://water.usace.army.mil/office/mvk/reports/reservoirs and click on the lake name to view reservoir levels.

Highway 51 Landing provides boating access into the Coldwater River upstream from Arkabutla Dam. Camping and other recreational use of Arkabutla Lake area remain open, except for day use and fee use areas directly downstream of the dam.

USACE Vicksburg District declared a potential breach emergency status at Arkabutla Lake in May of 2023, when a depression was discovered near the toe of the dam. USACE has been maintaining the lake at approximately 204 feet to reduce pressure on the dam and to complete repairs.

Safety remains a top priority for the USACE Vicksburg District, and staff are vigilantly monitoring the situation at Arkabutla Dam for any changes. Updates on Arkabutla Dam can be found at: https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Programs-and-Project-Management/Project-Management/Projects/Arkabutla-Project-Page/.

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.