The Flash Flood Watch issued last month for Tate County and surrounding areas has been lifted, according to federal and state agencies.
The National Weather Service (NWS), Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Vicksburg District of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) agree conditions no longer necessitate a Flash Flood Watch for the dam at Arkabutla Lake.
NWS issued a Flash Flood Watch when the potential breach was discovered in early May. The watch was put in place for counties around the Coldwater River where water could enter if the breach resulted in a larger issue. Tate and DeSoto were two counties included in the watch.
In a statement released Tuesday, June 6, NWS officials said the Flash Flood Watch was canceled due to lowered pool levels. The statement also said the watch could be reissued if water levels require it since Arkabutla Lake is known to respond quickly to short-term heavy rainfall.
The USACE continues to drawdown Arkabutla Lake levels to approximately 200 feet to allow district personnel to prepare for interim repairs scheduled for July.
Temporary solutions include structural modifications, increased instrumentation and monitoring, and emergency action planning. The district continues to assess the repairs timeline and will provide updates as they become available. Lake operations will not change after the temporary repairs are complete.
The district’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated May 8 after crews discovered a depression near the toe of the dam, where the dam meets the earth, which could cause severe foundation loss and a breach if left untreated.
A week later, USACE officials said dam failure, or a breach is not imminent.
