Wicker Praises Benefits of North Mississippi Reservoirs

WICKER PRAISES BENEFITS OF NORTH MISSISSIPPI RESERVOIRS
Structures offer half-century of flood protection

Last week I participated in ceremonies to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Grenada Lake. The reservoir spans 148 miles of shoreline in Grenada, Yalobusha, and Calhoun Counties and has been an integral part of the flood control system in Mississippi since it opened in 1954.

The milestone event provided an opportunity to reflect on the success of our system of dams and lakes in protecting against the devastating effects of flooding. The lake has also produced a wide range of recreational opportunities and boosted the area's economy over the past half-century. Local business, civic, and government leaders were on hand to express their appreciation for the benefits Grenada Lake has generated for the region.

FOUR LAKES IN NORTH MISS.
The same impact has been felt in areas surrounding the three other flood control lakes built in north Mississippi by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. Sardis Lake was the first to become operational in 1940, followed by Arkabutla Lake in 1943, and Enid Lake in 1952. The four lakes were created to control the flow of water on the Yazoo River and its tributaries above the Mississippi River backwater area. The structures are located in parts of eight counties stretching from DeSoto County south to Grenada.

The lakes were included in the Mississippi River Basin Flood Control Project after the Great Flood of 1927 collapsed the levee system along the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers, swamping thousands of acres of land in a three-state region. The catastrophic failure of the levees led to creation of a new and more comprehensive system to guard against future flooding.

MORE THAN FLOOD CONTROL
While flood control is the primary purpose of our four lakes, Congress has modified this mission over the years to include fishing, boating, camping, as well as programs to conserve and manage fish and wildlife resources. The recreational aspects draw visitors from Mississippi and other states in the Mid-South, and their activities contribute to the economy of the region.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have worked with Corps of Engineers officials to ensure that they have resources to maintain flood control programs and improve water resources in our state. We have strengthened programs to enhance commerce at our 16 ports along the Mississippi River, Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, and Gulf of Mexico. Funding for the Delta Headwaters Project is improving water quality by developing new techniques to meet soil erosion problems and protect watersheds.

Boosting funding for facility improvements and maintenance at our four north Mississippi lakes is another key component in that effort. After half a century, these structures are still protecting lives and property and providing economic benefits to their surrounding communities.