Arkabutla Dam Emergency: Lake levels drop below 204 feet

Lake levels at Arkabutla Dam dropped below 204 feet to 203.77 feet at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, 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 feet and the district is proactively working to keep the level at approximately 204 feet, which provides leeway in the pool level during the wet season.

The potential breach emergency status is associated with observed signs of distress at the dam discovered in May 2023. Interim risk reduction measures are underway; however, are not yet complete. Emergency repairs are expected to be completed this summer. An engineers and design team is working on a permanent long-term fix for the dam that will likely take 7-9 years to complete.

On Jan. 28, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District increased the potential breach emergency status at Arkabutla Dam from ALERT to WATCH because reservoir levels rose to over 210 feet due to precipitation in the Arkabutla Lake drainage basin. Because lake levels fluctuate quickly, the WATCH designation will continue through the rainy season.

Safety remains a top priority to the US Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District. Lake Staff and additional personnel are vigilantly monitoring the situation at Arkabutla Dam for any changes.

Please visit this site to get regularly updated reservoir pool levels: https://www.mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/resrep.htm