The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District will lower the Felsenthal Lock and Dam (L&D) pool one and a half feet beginning August 4, 2024 to conduct a routine inspection of the Felsenthal gate system.
The pool drawdown will begin August 4 and will last an estimated 2-14 days. Once the inspection is conducted, the pool will be raised to normal levels.
The brief deviation in pool will not affect navigation.
The Felsenthal L&D was constructed similarly to the H.K. Thatcher L&D.
In December 2021, a leak in the hinged crest gate at the Thatcher L&D required an emergency repair and a poiree needle system (at left) was put in place as a temporary barrier. In February 2022, the system was fortified with steel I-beams.
Even after being overtopped on three separate occasions, the poiree needle system has continuously held the pool at normal levels. The photo (below) of Thatcher L&D was taken on January 31, 2024. Water is more than 10 ft above normal pool level at 88.2 ft.
