VICKSBURG, MISS… Pratt Road (State Scenic Route 304) in DeSoto County, reopened April 25, 2016. Pratt Road is near Arkabutla Lake, below the overflow spillway.
This re-opening allows for all public access from DeSoto County past the dam to points north and west. The road has been closed for the past 26 days due to water flowing over the road from the Arkabutla emergency spillway.
Although the primary mission of Arkabutla Lake is flood damage risk reduction, approximately 855,000 individuals visit Arkabutla Lake annually to enjoy the camping, playgrounds, swimming areas, several types of trails, fishing, boat ramps and marinas. The lake traffic brings $14,000,000 annually to the local economy and supports almost 250 jobs. Arkabutla Lake is one of the four lakes in Mississippi maintained and operated by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District. Information on Corps lakes and recreational areas can be found on the Vicksburg District Operations Division’s website at http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation.aspx
Release no. 16-013