NESBIT, Miss. — Amid ongoing speculation regarding the safety and future of Arkabutla Lake, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District will meet with the public this month to outline the path forward for the dam’s rehabilitation.
The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors will host the informational meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the DeSoto County Agri-Education Center.
The meeting comes more than two years after the discovery of a sinkhole near the dam in 2023, which triggered the current safety modification project. The sinkhole revealed complex internal erosion issues, necessitating lowered water levels and extensive, multi-year construction efforts.
According to county officials, the goal of the meeting is to provide transparency and factual updates to counter rumors surrounding the project. USACE representatives are expected to explain why the dam remains classified as “high risk” and detail the mitigation strategies currently in place to protect downstream communities.
During the session, engineers will address the most frequently asked questions from residents and recreational users, including:
Why water levels remain low at the lake.
Specific safety risks to surrounding areas.
The status of campgrounds and recreation areas, including explanations for ongoing closures.
Why the repair timeline is exceeding the duration of the dam’s original construction in the 1940s.
The Arkabutla Dam Safety Modification Project is a critical infrastructure effort for the region. While the initial sinkhole was the catalyst, the scope of work has expanded to address broader structural integrity concerns.
Residents, community leaders, and stakeholders are encouraged to attend to hear directly from project engineers. The DeSoto County Agri-Education Center is located at 1170 Starlanding Road West, Nesbit, Miss.
For those seeking background information prior to the event, the USACE maintains an active project page detailing the history and technical specifications of the repairs.
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
