It’s been more than 83 years since the federal government approved plans to protect the south Delta area of Mississippi from flooding. Now, major financial resources have been allocated to see the Yazoo pumps project come to fruition.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has earmarked $32 million for mitigation requirements and pre-construction project planning for the new, recently approved Yazoo Backwater Area Water Management Project. Earlier this year, the USACE signed a landmark record of decision, clearing the way for the pumps to be constructed.
“We reached a significant milestone in January when the Corps signed a Record of Decision for the new Yazoo Backwater pumps plan, completing an exhaustive environmental review process and paving the way for the next key stages of making this project a reality,” U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss) stated. “I’m pleased the Corps agreed with my argument that there is more than sufficient funding in the Mississippi Rivers and Tributaries account to move this project forward.”
Hyde-Smith is confident that the funding set aside for the Yazoo pumps project will allow the USACE to meet compensatory mitigation requirements and advance into the pre-construction, engineering, and design phase — all of which have to occur before construction can take place.
In addition to the Yazoo pumps funding, USACE is earmarking $13 million for Arkabutla Lake, which will be used for operation and maintenance work as well as for dam inspections, assessments, and dam safety interim risk reduction measures.
A depression was found in the Arkabutla dam two years ago, prompting emergency actions to be taken to mitigate risk to the public. The initial phase of risk-reduction measures included lowering the pool elevation at Arkabutla Lake to 204 feet until long-term repairs are completed. Corps crews also installed groundwater monitoring devices and relief wells while automating the monitoring system.
The $13 million in funding will aid in additional remediation efforts. Crews are working on installing foundation grouting at the dam. This is to ensure immediate security while permanent corrective actions are being mulled by the corps.
The funding for the Yazoo Backwater Area Water Management Project and repairs at Arkabutla comes from $136.5 million in FY2025 appropriations to Mississippi for work on 30 projects. A full list of the projects can be found here.
“This funding will also help our state prepare for whatever Mother Nature throws at us,” Hyde-Smith continued. “Last fall, the Mississippi River fell to near-record low levels, which caused severe disruptions to barge traffic and waterborne commerce. Just last month, the Mississippi River swelled to its 10th highest water level since the Flood of 1927, leaving nearly 200,000 acres of land underwater in the South Mississippi Delta.”
