Flood Risk Management
Sardis Lake has a maximum storage capacity of 1,512,000 acre feet of water. During
the fall and winter months the lake is gradually drawn down to a "conservation
pool" of 9800 acres. This allows for storage of spring rains from
the 1545 square mile drainage area above the dam. Sardis Lake has performed
its flood control mission admirably well. Since it became operational,
the dam's overflow spillway has only been placed into operation during the
flood years of 1973, 1983 and 1991. The lake's normal "recreation
pool" is 32,500 acres. Many visitors to Sardis Lake do not know
of the project's role in flood control. To them, Sardis Lake is a place
to play. Annual visitation tops 4.5 million people. The lake is
popular with anglers and has a reputation for its abundant bass and crafty
crappie. Other recreation activities include hunting, camping, boating,
skiing, swimming and picnicking.
![Sardis Outlet Works](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090109051033im_/http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/lakes/MS/Sardis/images/flooddmg_body_clip_image002.jpg)
Sardis Outlet Works