Welcome to the MS Project Office!
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Vicksburg District has a long, rich history of providing flood risk management structures along the Lower Mississippi River and on major tributaries of the Mississippi River in the states of Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana. That history includes the construction of four earthen dams in North Mississippi that play a key role in helping to alleviate flooding of the Yazoo River Basin in west-central Mississippi. The four dams constructed on major tributaries that flow into the Yazoo River are Arkabutla Dam on the Coldwater River near the city of Coldwater, Mississippi; Sardis Dam constructed on the Little Tallahatchie River between the cities of Sardis and Batesville, Mississippi; Enid Dam on the Yocona River just south of the city of Batesville near Enid, Mississippi; and Grenada Dam which was constructed on the Yalobusha River just outside the city limits of Grenada, Mississippi. We invite you to read more about each of these dams on their individual history pages by following the links on the left side of this page. Although the Vicksburg District has a rich history in reducing the effects of flooding, it has an equally as rich history of providing recreational opportunities for local residents as well as customers from across the southeastern region of the United States. Other key functions of the Vicksburg District Corps of Engineers are navigation, hydro-power, water supply, natural resource managment and environmental stewardship.
The Mississippi Project Office is proud to oversee more than 365 thousand acres of land and water readily available for visitors to enjoy. At our lakes we offer an array of recreational opportunities that include fishing, boating, camping, hiking, bicycling, swimming, and photography - just to name a few. Our lakes and parks are great places to enjoy nature, too! If you are looking for your next adventure or vacation destination, look no further - it is right here in your own backyard!
NORTH MISSISSIPPI LAKES FAST FACTS |
| 4 Lakes |
82 Recreation Areas |
21 Swimming Beaches |
| 269,210 Land Acres |
35 Picnic Shelters |
1,443 Picnic Sites
|
| 96,210 Water Acres |
25 Campgrounds |
1,443 Camping Sites |
| 570 Shoreline Miles |
52 Boat Ramps |
2 Fishing Docks |
| 1 Marina/146 Slips |
28 Playgrounds |
46 Trails |
NORTH MISSISSIPPI LAKES BENEFITS |
| Social Benefits |
Outdoor recreation activities strengthen family ties and personal friendships, as well as promote physical fitness. By providing opportunities for active recreation, the Corps is helping to combat some of the nation's most severe health problems - obesity, diabetes and heart disease. |
| Economic Benefits |
The money spent by visitors to Corps lakes adds to the local and national economies by supporting jobs and generating income. Visitor spending at the North Mississippi lakes respresents a sizable component of the economy of local communities surrounding our lakes. Almost 5.5 million visitors per year supports $120 million in visitor spending with 52% being captured by local economies. Visitor spending also supports the addition of 1,500 jobs. |
| Environmental Benefits |
The four North Mississippi lakes provide numerous opportunities for visitors to learn more about the environment, to become aware of and understand environmental issues, and to develop a sensitivity toward caring for the environment. |
MS Lakes News
Attention Hunters!
Oct 28 2008
Beginning 1 March 2009, new regulations will take effect regarding the use of duck blinds and deer stands on Arkabutla Lake, Sardis Lake, Enid Lake and Grenada Lake.
Effective 1 March 2009, duck blind permits will no longer be issued for project lands and waters. Additionally, deer stands will no longer be allowed to be left overnight on Government Property. Under the new policies, only temporary/portable blinds and stands will be permitted. Once placed, all temporary/portable blinds and stands must be occupied to be in compliance. The use of nails, screws, or spikes for the purpose of attaching temporary/portable devices to trees is strictly prohibited. Fixed tower stands and shooting houses are also prohibited. Blinds, stands, and associated equipment (decoys, camouflage, climbing devices, steps, etc.) must be removed from project lands on a daily basis. Blinds, deer stands, or structures that are found in violation of this policy shall be considered an unauthorized structure and will be subject to summary removal or impoundment by project personnel.
Past practices associated with both the Duck Blind Permit and Deer Stand policies led many users to the mistaken conclusion that a given area of public property was reserved through the placement of their devices. This was never the intent of these policies. The new policies being instituted will provide an equal opportunity to all project users and they will also provide a safer environment for the visiting public. For more information, contact the MS Project Management Office at (662) 578-3873 or a lake field office at the following numbers: Arkabutla Lake (662) 562-6261, Sardis Lake (662) 563-4531, Enid Lake (662) 563-4571, or Grenada Lake (662) 226-5911.
Mandatory Use of Life Jackets at MS Lakes
Oct 28 2008
Beginning May 22, 2009, new life jacket rules will be enforced on the Vicksburg District\'s four north Mississippi lakes - Arkabutla, Sardis, Enid and Grenada. For more information, contact the MS Project Management Office (662) 578-3873 or any of the lake field offices - Arkabutla Lake (662) 562-6461, Sardis Lake (662) 563-4531, Enid Lake (662) 563-4571, and Grenada Lake (662) 226-5911.
