UPDATE 12/5/25: Public Meeting Postponed.
Arkabutla Lake Dam has been the subject of intense discussion, raising numerous questions, and fueling speculation. That’s why the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors invited representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District to a public meeting. Corps representatives will share what is really happening at Arkabutla Lake, what to expect moving forward, and which surrounding recreation areas are open and accessible to visitors.
The meeting is set for Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 6:00 P.M at the DeSoto County Agri-Education Center, located at 1170 Starlanding Road West, Nesbit, MS 38651. UPDATE: A new date will be announced in the coming weeks.
Representatives from USACE will detail why the dam is considered high risk, and what is being done to mitigate risks until the final project is complete.
USACE representatives will also walk residents through the facts behind the most common questions, including:
- What are the safety risks to downstream communities?
- Why is the water still low at Arkabutla Lake?
- Why is the project taking longer than the original dam construction in the 1940s?
- Which campgrounds and recreation areas are open, and why are some sites still closed?
The Arkabutla Dam Safety Modification Project began in 2023 after a sinkhole was discovered near the dam. That sinkhole exposed a much larger and more complex internal erosion issue that requires extensive, multi-year construction to correct. USACE engineers will explain the scope of the issue, the work completed to date, and what residents can expect going forward.
Residents, lake users, community leaders, and all interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend this informational meeting.
Those wishing to review background information prior to the meeting may visit the USACE project page: https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Programs-and-Project-Management/Project-Management/Projects/Arkabutla-Project-Page/
