Flood Risk Management
After a series of disastrous
floods during the mid-1800s and early 1900s, high priority was given to flood
control projects. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers became the designers,
planners, and builders for these flood control projects. The worst flood
in the history of the Lower Mississippi Valley occurred in 1927, after which a
comprehensive program for flood control along the Mississippi and its
tributaries was begun.
Work on Arkabutla Dam was
completed in 1943. Arkabutla Dam, along with three other flood control
lakes in North Mississippi plus other Yazoo Basin Headwater Projects, was built
to reduce flood damage in the Yazoo Basin. When completed, the Yazoo
Headwater Project will protect 1,209,000 acres against flooding and will
partially protect 303,000 more acres. Flooding has been reduced around
the cities of Greenwood, Yazoo City, Belzoni, and other nearby
communities. The area’s industry and agriculture have greatly benefited
because more land is now being utilized for these purposes. The region
has been able to produce more agricultural products, thus increasing the
national and international markets for these products.
Arkabutla Lake is part of the comprehensive plan for flood control
on the Yazoo River and tributaries above the head of the Mississippi River
backwater area. The project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 15 June
1936 (Public Law 678). Although flood control was the authorized purpose of the
project, additional resources created by the lake have resulted in important
regional benefits from recreation, fish and wildlife, conservation, and
forestry. The lands surrounding the lake, acquired as part of the project, are
now being managed for public recreation, habitat improvement, forest resources,
and preservation of the biological resources.
Arkabutla Lake Overflow Spillway
Arkabutla
Lake Flood Damage Reduction Facts