USACE Vicksburg District

06/06/2026

You know what isn’t cool? Drowning. USACE data shows 88% of drowning victims are male, meaning men are about 7 times more likely to drown than women. Gentlemen, if you want to impress someone, start by buckling that life jacket.

06/03/2026

We are busy casting mats in preparation for the upcoming sinking season along the Mississippi River. Mat sinking operations play a vital role in helping keep the river stable and reliable for the millions of people and industries that depend on it every day.

Using our Mat Sinking Unit, crews place articulated concrete mats along vulnerable riverbanks to help prevent erosion, protect levees and navigation channels, and reduce the risk of bank failures, keeping communities safe and commerce moving.

06/02/2026

Crews are on site, equipment is in place, and Phase II of the Interim Risk Reduction Measures (IRRMs) at Arkabutla Dam is now underway. Grouting operations within the conduit (the tunnel beneath the dam) began today to fill voids and prevent further loss of material through the dam. This work will further stabilize the dam and reduce risks for downstream communities.

06/01/2026

A life jacket can’t save your life if it’s floating on top of the water and you’re sinking to the bottom. Having a life jacket on your boat, even if it’s “readily accessible,” is not good enough. so you can enjoy boating another day.

05/30/2026

This past week, we were proud to attend the Red River Valley Association (RRVA) Regional Water Resource Conference in Texarkana, Texas, where our Deputy Commander, MAJ Ben Speckhart, had the opportunity to speak with partners and stakeholders from across the region.

Events like this highlight the importance of collaboration in addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the Red River Basin. We appreciate our strong partnership with RRVA and our shared commitment to supporting navigation, flood risk management, environmental stewardship, and sustainable water resources for the communities we serve.

05/29/2026

Fishing is a lot of fun even when a big fish gets away. Please play it safe and always wear a life jacket when fishing from a kayak, boat, the shore, or a dock.

05/28/2026

Mission accomplished – and delivered ahead of schedule and under budget!

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District has successfully completed critical bank stabilization efforts along the Ouachita River under the Public Law 84-99 emergency rehabilitation program.

After multiple severe high-water events threatened the region’s levee infrastructure, USACE and its partners acted quickly to strengthen vulnerable riverbanks and help protect nearby communities.

Thanks to the outstanding teamwork of prime contractor TKTMJ, Inc., subcontractor Luhr Crosby, LLC, the Tensas Basin Levee District, and the dedicated USACE team, approximately 448,000 tons of protective stone were installed, with crews placing up to an impressive eight barges per day at peak operations!

Their hard work, coordination, and commitment ensured this vital project was completed safely, ahead of schedule, and under budget, helping preserve the integrity of the levee system and enhance public safety across the region.

05/27/2026

A day of fun can quickly turn into a tragic event without a life jacket. By always wearing your life jacket and asking others to, it could save your life or the life of someone you care about.

Partying with friends on a boat can be great fun but it can turn tragic in an instant. Watch this fast-paced video to see some young party-goers learn a vit...

05/27/2026

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District is beginning Phase II of interim risk reduction measures (IRRMs) at Arkabutla Dam. This work will further stabilize the dam and reduce risks for downstream communities.

https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Article/4501837/usace-to-begin-phase-ii-interim-risk-reduction-measures-at-arkabutla-dam/

05/26/2026

May 31 is National Dam Safety Awareness Day.

Dam safety programs, like the one from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, help federal, state, and local stakeholders responsible for dams monitor them and follow best safety practices.

USACE is responsible for over 750 dams nationwide, contributing to the reduction of flood risk for 15 million people and $950B in property.

To learn more about dam safety and the dams in your area, visit USACE’s National Inventory of Dams: https://nid.sec.usace.army.mil/