WHAT?

The Yazoo Backwater Project provides a unique combination of flood management, using enhanced natural resources and flood water removal techniques:

• A pump station capable of 14,000 cubic feet per second will operate when flood waters reach or exceed 87 feet behind the Steele Bayou Structure, and that structure is closed due to high Mississippi flood levels.
• 
  55,600 acres of agricultural land within the one and two year floodplain will be reforested under permanent conservation easements.
• 
  During low water periods, in summer and fall, the Steele Bayou Structure will be closed to retain water elevations between 70.0 and 73.0 feet in streams, to improve fish habitat and water quality.

The Project will reduce the 100 year floodplain by 4 to 4.5 feet.

The Project will return $1.50 for each $1.00 spent, providing economic benefits and security to the community.

The Project has a net positive impact on natural resources, including wetlands, waterfowl, terrestrial and aquatic resources.

• The 55,600 acres of reforestation and conservation include ample measures to off-set possible changes to the environment from operation of the pump station. The Corps will obtain the 15,000 acres needed under NEPA for mitigation prior to operating the pumps.
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  Multiple expert environmental studies confirm that reforestation and conservation on cleared agricultural land will improve wetland, wildlife, waterfowl, fisheries and water quality values.

The pumping station is neither unusual nor large. Utilizing pumps is the only way to remove flood water from the South Delta, as evidenced by the fact that 22 pumps are currently located within a 200-mile radius of the proposed location of the Yazoo Backwater Pump