May 22, 2025 – The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District would like to share some helpful reminders for the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday weekend.
Traditionally the busiest holiday weekend of the year, Memorial Day weekend serves as the beginning of the summer recreation season at our lakes and parks. Thousands of people will visit these lakes and recreation areas to picnic, fish, swim, and spend time outdoors. The expectations for this year are no different, however, part of this holiday weekend brings in the chance for some stormy weather at our Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi lakes, parks, and project offices.
With that in mind, USACE would like to remind visitors to be weather aware and take time to make preparations before leaving to visit our facilities. Here are some helpful tips to make your visit safer and more enjoyable during the holiday weekend.
Check local weather forecasts for the area you are visiting prior to leaving home. One of the wonderful things about our projects is the access to the great outdoors but that doesn’t always come with good cell phone service. Checking forecasts prior to your departure can help you plan your trip around potentially stormy weather.
Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Sharing travel plans with a trusted friend or family member can allow them to know when and where to call for help should you not return. The U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division and Coast Guard Auxiliary encourage boaters to fill out “float plans” with this information and leave it with someone reliable. A float plan form can be downloaded at http://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/floating-plan.php
If you’re on or in the water when a storm approaches, seek shelter as soon as possible. Storms can form quickly, and lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from a thunderstorm, so at the first signs of approaching weather, it is important to get out of the water quickly if you are swimming. If boating on the lake when storms approach, make your way back to your launch site or dock. If that’s not possible, you may need to seek shelter on the nearest safe portion of shoreline or cove. It’s important to remember to have properly fitted lifejackets for everyone on board and to wear them. Not only is lifejacket wear mandated at most of our properties, it’s always a good idea!
Trees, trees, everywhere! One of the great things about our projects is an abundance of trees that add to our enjoyment of the outdoors and provide much needed shade, but visitors should never seek shelter from storms underneath trees. Wind from storms often damages trees, breaking off limbs, and trees are also more likely to be struck by lightning. Instead, seek shelter in authorized storm shelters or the nearest sturdy building. In our parks, many concrete restroom buildings double as shelters during storms.
To reserve campsites, pavilions, or for other information, please visit www.recreation.gov.
For more information, can contact:
Mississippi: Arkabutla Lake Field Office at 662-292-1992, Sardis Lake at 662-563-4531, Enid Lake at 662-563-4571 and Grenada Lake at 662-226-5911
Arkansas: Lake Greeson at 870-285-2151, DeGray Lake at 870-246-5501, and Lake Ouachita at 501-767-2101
Louisiana: Bayou Bodcau Project Office at 318-949-1804, JBJ Visitor Center at 318-677-2673, Grand Ecore Visitor Center at 318-354-8770, and the Louisiana Field Office at 318-322-6391.
