8 Apr 2025

UPDATE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District activates 24-hour surveillance at Arkabutla Dam following heavy rainfall

VICKSBURG, Miss. – Recent storms have resulted in substantial rainfall in northwest Mississippi, including in the Arkabutla Lake drainage basin, pushing the lake's water levels above 225 feet, with an expected peak of 230 feet on April 11, 2025. Pool levels at Arkabutla Dam, which straddles DeSoto and Tate Counties in Northwest Mississippi, can fluctuate quickly, particularly during the rainy season.

28 Feb 2025

Tentatively Selected Plan identified for long-term solutions at Arkabutla Dam: Environmental Assessment review period open until March 30, 2025

Vicksburg, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District continues to prioritize safety and risk reduction at Arkabutla Dam, located in northwest Mississippi, in response to significant concerns discovered in March 2023 when a depression was found near the toe of the dam..

14 Feb 2025

UPDATE: Arkabutla Dam Emergency - Lake Levels Expected to Surpass 220 Feet as Spring Flood Season Begins

Arkabutla, Miss. – Recent storms have brought significant rainfall to the Arkabutla Lake area, pushing lake levels above 210 feet and prompting expectations that they will exceed 220 feet within the next two weeks and is dependent on where and when the rain falls. Pool levels at Arkabutla Dam, located in DeSoto and Tate Counties in Northwest Mississippi, can fluctuate quickly especially during the rainy season.

3 Jan 2025

UPDATE: Arkabutla Dam emergency - Lake levels to remain elevated in upcoming weeks – maximum releases will continue

Vicksburg, Miss – Pool levels at Arkabutla Lake are currently above 215 ft. and are forecast to rise to near 220 ft. in the next week due to expected rain events. Pool levels at Arkabutla Dam, located in DeSoto and Tate Counties in Northwest Mississippi, can fluctuate quickly especially during the rainy season. For the overall safety of the dam and downstream communities, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District (USACE-MVK) plans to continue maximum releases at the dam until the pool level approaches the target level of 204 ft. With river levels across the basin already elevated, downstream communities may experience flooding and related impacts as seasonal rains persist.

29 Dec 2024

UPDATE: Arkabutla Dam Emergency - Lake levels expected to rise above 215 feet due to recent rains

Vicksburg, Miss – Recent storms dropped between three and five inches of rain in the area upstream of Arkabutla Lake. The lake level has risen above 210 ft. and is expected to peak above 215 ft. in the next few days. Pool levels at Arkabutla Dam, located in DeSoto and Tate Counties in Northwest Mississippi, can fluctuate quickly especially during the rainy season.

13 Mar 2024

UPDATE: Notice to Proceed issued on Interim Repairs at Arkabutla Dam

Vicksburg, Miss – Interim risk reduction measures continue at Arkabutla Dam, located in DeSoto and Tate Counties in Northwest Mississippi. On February 27, a contract was awarded to Frontier Services, Inc. for the installation of six relief wells with lateral discharges, installation of additional piezometers (groundwater monitoring devices), and automation of the monitoring system at the dam.

23 Feb 2024

UPDATE: Arkabutla Dam Emergency: Lake levels drop below 204 feet

Vicksburg, Miss – Lake levels at Arkabutla Dam dropped below 204’ to 203.77 at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, 22 FEB. which greatly decreases the potential of a breach situation. Lake levels at Arkabutla Dam, located in DeSoto and Tate Counties in Northwest Mississippi, can fluctuate quickly especially during the rainy season. The target lake level is below 210’ and the district is proactively working to keep the level at approximately 204’ which provides leeway in the pool level during the wet season.

11 Jul 2023

USACE Vicksburg District project updates available online

Updates on major U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District projects can be found online at www.mvk.usace.army.mil.

7 Jun 2023

Federal, state agencies lift Flash Flood Watch for Arkabutla Lake as drawdown continues for dam repairs

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The National Weather Service (NWS), Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District agree that conditions no longer necessitate a Flash Flood Watch for the dam at Arkabutla Lake in Arkabutla, Mississippi, due to lowered pool levels.

15 May 2023

Update #2: Arkabutla Dam failure NOT imminent as USACE Vicksburg District assesses conditions, temporary solutions

VICKSBURG, Miss. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District teams are assessing conditions and exploring temporary solutions at Arkabutla Dam following the May 8 emergency declaration.