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 Flood Damage Reduction Facts