The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mobile District at Okatibbee Lake has closed several campgrounds and boat docks. East Central Mississippi has received several inches of rain over the last several days causing the lake and downstream rivers to rise.
During the storm event, inflows into Okatibbee Lake peaked at 9,800 cubic feet per second (cfs) while the project maintained a minimum discharge of 54 cfs. Okatibbee Lake provided flood reduction by holding an average of 8,800 cfs. over a 24 hour period of time. Okatibbee Lake is approximately 8.5 above normal pool at this time with the projection to be almost 9' above normal pool by Wednesday afternoon. The current lake level is 349.06 feet. USACE water managers per the water control manual are required to release 1,200 cfs until the pool returns to 344’.
When the lake levels are high, boating safety is a high concern. Debris may be submerged or floating in the lake causing unusual boating hazards. Boaters are urged to use extreme caution while operating their boat on the lake.
More information is available on the web at http://water.sam.usace.army.mil/ or by calling the Operations Manager’s Office 601.626.8431, with specific questions or to ensure availability of facilities. We will update our website to indicate the open/closed status of camp grounds and boat ramps.
Release no. 14-006