Crews working to repair the Arkabutla Dam following a 2023 breach have made major progress, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports.
The Corps’ Vicksburg District announced Friday that its workers had successfully reached a major milestone in Phase II of interim risk reduction measures at the dam. The latest work entailed completing grouting within the outlet works. This step, per officials, further stabilizes the dam’s outlet works and reduces flooding risk for downstream communities.
More than three years ago, a depression was discovered at the toe of the dam, prompting emergency actions to be taken to protect from possible flooding due to a breach. After the most recent repair milestone was reached, crews reopened the dam’s water release gates and began controlled water releases.
This work, which began in June, focused on injecting grout beneath the foundation of the outlet works, including the tunnel passing through the dam and the stilling basin, to fill voids and prevent further loss of underlying soil. During these repairs, engineers conducted assessments and identified areas of subsurface voids that developed over the dam’s 80-year history.
While some of the voids were more extensive than expected, the repair successfully filled and sealed target areas, stabilizing the ground beneath the structure. However, officials believe the work is a temporary fix and that the long-term solution is to construct a new outlet works structure.
The Corps said it will continue enhanced monitoring of the structure and will maintain the current target pool level of 204 feet until the long-term repairs are complete.
Camping, hunting, and other recreational use of Arkabutla Lake areas remain open, except for areas directly downstream of the dam. The Highway 51 Landing provides boating access into the Coldwater River upstream from Arkabutla Dam and is accessible.
Constructed in 1943, Arkabutla Dam is 65 feet high, 10,000 feet long, and reduces flood risk for approximately 19,000 residents. The dam protects an estimated $510 million in homes and businesses.
