Lake Briefs

Type	Earth Fill (hydraulic)
Purpose	Flood Control
Maximum Height	117 Feet
Total Length of Dam	15,300 Feet
Average Base Width	1,217 Feet
Volume of Earth Work	15,500,000 cubic yards
Width of Spillway	400 Feet
Drainage Area Above Dam	1,545 Square Miles
Area of Permanent Pool	9,800 Acres
Area of Maximum Flood Pool	58,500 Acres
Capacity at Maximum Flood Pool	482 Billion Gallons or 1,478,000 acre ft.


	Resource Management

Sardis Lake, one of the four reservoirs managed by the Vicksburg District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provides a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities and serves millions of visitors each year. Because of the mild climate and long recreation season, visitors have numerous activities to choose from including fishing, hunting, camping, picnicking, boating and many others.

Sardis Lake is an important part of the Yazoo Basin Flood Control System. The project protects agricultural and industrial areas downstream by controlling the flow of water from the Little Tallahatchie River system, a drainage area of approximately 1,545 square miles.

The lake also benefits the region by providing recreational opportunities, economic development and wildlife habitat. The project's 98,590 acres are currently being managed to provide areas for wildlife conservation, forestry resources and public recreation.

Management activities and visitor assistance are the responsibility of the resource manager, rangers and staff at the Sardis Lake Field Office. Visitors needing information or other assistance can stop by the field office at the base of the dam on Scenic Loop 315.


	Location


	Sardis Lake is located in Panola, Lafayette and Marshall Counties in Mississippi on the Little Tallahatchie River. The damsite is located 9 miles southeast of the town of Sardis, Mississippi on Scenic Loop 315.

Project History

In 1936 Congress approved a comprehensive plan to control flooding in the Yazoo Basin. As part of this plan a dam was to be constructed near the town of Sardis as the first of four dams for the Yazoo Headwaters Project.

Becoming operational in October 1940, Sardis Dam embodied some of the most advanced design and construction methods of its day. At 15,300 feet long and with an average height of 97 feet it was at one time reputed to be the largest earth-filled type dam in the world. A small army of engineers and construction workers labored long and hard for almost four years to complete the project. Some even lived on site in an area near the present day field office.

Hunting and Fishing

Sardis Lake and its many miles of shoreline provide excellent opportunities for hunting and fishing.

Corps rangers in cooperation with State officials, conduct a wide range of programs to maximize both game and non-game wildlife resources and provide for the maintenance and improvement of habitat on project lands.

Hunter will find a varied landscape of hardwood forests, pine plantations, open fields and wetlands; home to abundance of deer, squirrel, turkey, dove, quail and a variety of waterfowl. Crappie, bass and catfish present a challenge for would-be anglers as well. Rising water levels and the start of spawning make for some particularly good catches in the spring but the fishing is great year round.

Seasons, limits, license requirements, etc. are set by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

Recreation Facilities

To accommodate many visitors each year, recreation areas have been established at locations around the lake. Several areas have been developed for camping with designated tent and trailer sites including electrical hook-ups, bathhouses and trailer dump stations. Some of these campgrounds are operated by concessionaires who charge a fee for their use and offer other amenities as well. Other developed areas are equipped with picnic tables, grills, trash receptacles, drinking water and restroom facilities. Portions of these areas are also designated for primitive camping.

Visitor Programs

Visitors to Sardis Lake interested in learning more about the area's wildlife, natural features and cultural history may want to attend one of the many presentations conducted by park rangers. During the summer season a variety of programs are offered. Many of these are held at the amphitheater located in Oak Grove campground or at the Clear Springs Trail Area. Interested groups may also contact the Sardis Lake Field Office throughout the year and request programs and activities conducted by park rangers.

Emergency Numbers

All Emergencies......................................911 Sardis Lake Field Office.................563-4531 Panola County Sheriff....................563-6230 Lafayette County Sheriff...............234-6421 Marshall County Sheriff................252-1311

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