U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Working to Strengthen Levee at Buck Chute

www.mvk.usace.army.mil. “The Corps is working to strengthen a section of the Mississippi River main line levee system at Buck Chute near Eagle Lake, MS where several sand boils have been previously identified. A sand boil occurs as a result of high seepage pressures at the land-side of the levee during high water stages. “The improvements consist of clearing existing vegetation and constructing an earthen dike that will enclose an area to be filled with sand. This berm will control seepage pressures on the land-side of the levee and prevent the transport of materials under the levee system. Although this work was scheduled to occur in the fall of this year, it had to be moved-up in response to the current high water. “Because of the high water stages on the Mississippi River, a deviation from the normal water level control plan for Eagle Lake was requested and granted. This temporary change will increase the lake water level to an initial elevation of 90 feet. The temporary increase in the water level is required in response to the high river levels forecasted by the National Weather Service which is currently estimated to reach 53.5 feet on the Vicksburg gage on 18 May. The increased lake level will help to offset the pressure caused by high riverside water level and is necessary to increase the safety of the levees in this area. “The Vicksburg District, levee boards and local officials continue to closely monitor weather and river conditions. The Vicksburg District Emergency Operations Center is coordinating with the state emergency management agencies in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi concerning any necessary activities.” The following statement was issued on 25 April 2011 from the USACE, Vicksburg District

2011 High Water Situational Awareness

Vicksburg, Ms… Recent precipitation patterns have contributed to rising stages along the Mississippi River. The National Weather Service is predicting higher river stages over the next few weeks with the expected crest in Vicksburg reaching 53.5 feet around 18 May. Similar spring high water events have occurred in the past with the most recent event occurring at 51.0 feet in the spring of 2008. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Vicksburg District, levee boards and local officials are closely monitoring weather and river conditions. The Vicksburg District Emergency Operations Center will coordinate with the state emergency management agencies in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi concerning any necessary activities. The lands that will be affected by the high water are located along the Mississippi River. Additionally, some backwater flooding may occur in the area of the Yazoo River and behind the Steele Bayou structure north of Vicksburg. The main areas of impact are expected to be between the levees. The official forecasting agency for flood stages is the National Weather Service and all gage heights are based on current readings and forecasts. Additional rainfall could change these predictions. The Vicksburg District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers encompasses a 68,000-square-mile area across portions of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana that holds seven major river basins and incorporates approximately 460 miles of mainline levees. The District is engaged in hundreds of projects and supports nationwide disaster response. To learn more about the Vicksburg District, visit our website, www.mvk.usace.army.mil]]]]> ]]>

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