Arkabutla Dam 24-hour surveillance activated after heavy rainfall
April 8, 2025 – 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, can fluctuate quickly, particularly during the rainy season.
In May 2023, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District (USACE) declared a potential breach emergency status at Arkabutla Lake after discovering a depression near the toe of the dam. Since then, the USACE has maintained the lake level at approximately 204 feet to alleviate pressure on the dam while repairs are underway. USACE will continue efforts to manage the increased pool levels by releasing up to 4,500 cubic feet per second until the lake reaches the 204 feet target level.
Pool levels at Arkabutla Lake are expected to remain elevated for at least a month. 24-hour surveillance to monitor any potential changes in the dam will continue until the pool level drops below 215 feet, which is expected to occur in late April or early May.
Safety remains USACE’s top priority, and the physical integrity of the dam remains stable. The physical condition of the dam remains unchanged, and a dam breach is NOT imminent.
USACE is working closely with the National Weather Service and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to ensure public awareness of the situation in the affected areas. Hydrologists at USACE are monitoring gages and updating models on a regular basis.
- For regularly updated reservoir pool levels, please visit: https://www.mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/resrep.htm
- Inundation mapping can be found online at: https://geospatial.sec.usace.army.mil/arcgis/apps/dashboards/9c65e8dacc514c31b0f2cbc273dddc38
- River levels can be monitored here: https://water.noaa.gov
Highway 51 Landing provides boating access into the Coldwater River above Arkabutla Dam and will remain the only open boat ramp at Arkabutla Lake. Camping and other recreational use of Arkabutla Lake area remain open, except for day use and fee use areas directly downstream of the dam.
