The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District provided an update on forecasts and conditions across the district’s jurisdiction March 31.
The National Weather Service has forecasted an average of 0.5-1.5 inches of rainfall over the Lower Mississippi River Valley over the next seven days. The Mississippi River is expected to crest at Arkansas City, Arkansas, at 43 feet April 6; Greenville, Mississippi, at 54.5 feet April 7; Vicksburg, Mississippi, at 50 feet April 8; and Natchez, Mississippi, at 57 feet April 9. These predictions are based on two days of forecasted rainfall and may change based on future rainfall.
Based on seven days of forecasted rainfall, the Yazoo Backwater Area is expected to crest at 96-96.5 feet in the coming weeks. The gates of the Steele Bayou Control Structure, located approximately 10 miles north of Vicksburg, Mississippi, were closed March 30 due to rising stages on the Mississippi River. The gates of the Little Sunflower Control Structure were closed March 25.
The district’s three flood control reservoirs in Arkansas – Lake Ouachita, Lake Greeson and DeGray Lake – have 97-100% of their flood control storage capacity available.
Stages on the Red River in Arkansas and Louisiana are expected to increase slightly this week due to forecasted rainfall. No navigation closures are anticipated at this time. The Ouachita River at Monroe, Louisiana, will crest at 39.8 feet April 1 according to recent forecasts.
District personnel and their local partners will continue to monitor the conditions of flood control works, including levees, flood walls and pumping stations across the entirety of the district’s jurisdiction.