Officials are continuing to work toward completely securing the Arkabutla Dam in Northwest Mississippi following a depression discovered more than two years ago.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District is beginning Phase II of interim risk reduction measures at the flood control structure in DeSoto County. This work will further stabilize the dam and reduce risks for downstream communities, per officials.
The depression was found near the toe of the dam in March 2023, prompting emergency actions to be taken to mitigate potential danger to the public. The initial phase of risk-reduction measures included lowering the pool elevation at Arkabutla Lake to 204 feet until long-term repairs are completed. Corps crews also installed groundwater monitoring devices and relief wells while automating the monitoring system.
Work in Phase II is scheduled to begin in early January 2026 and includes grouting the tunnel through the dam’s foundation to fill voids and prevent further loss of material through the structure. To safely access the area, crews must close the dam’s gates, which will temporarily stop water releases. A dam water release is the controlled or sometimes emergency discharge of water, often through turbines or spillways.
Lake pool levels are currently being lowered to 200 feet to create additional storage capacity because once the gates are closed, the lake will rise due to normal streamflow into the lake, officials report. If the lake reaches critical levels during the gate closure, work will be paused, and releases occur to lower the lake before work can resume.
Officials add that Highway 51 Landing provides boating access into the Coldwater River upstream from Arkabutla Dam and will remain the only open boat ramp at Arkabutla Lake. Camping and other recreational use at Arkabutla Lake area remain open, except for day use and fee use areas directly downstream of the dam.
Constructed in 1943, Arkabutla Dam is 65 feet high, 10,000 feet long, and reduces flood risk for 19,000 residents. The dam protects an estimated $510 million in homes and businesses.