Little Rock District News Releases

Temporary full road closure for Highway 178 across Bull Shoals Dam cancelled

Press Operations — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:21:05 GMT

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has cancelled the temporary full road closure scheduled March 18-19 for Highway 178 across Bull Shoals Dam.

USACE to begin Blue Mountain Lake drawdown

Press Operations — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:29:00 GMT

HAVANA, Ark. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will begin lowering Blue Mountain Lake on May 1, 2026, to support habitat improvement efforts for fish and waterfowl.

Clearwater Lake Project Office hours adjustment

Press Operations — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:15:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Clearwater Lake Project Office will adjust its operating hours beginning April 1. The project office will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., indefinitely. This adjustment aligns the project office schedule with current operational needs while continuing to support visitors.

USACE begins emergency work on Village Creek Levee near Newport

Press Operations — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:39:36 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District will begin emergency reinforcements this week on the Village Creek Levee near Newport, Arkansas after storms and flooding last spring caused damage.

MKARNS Nav Notice No. 1-2026

Press Operations — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:23:00 GMT

1. As a result of partnering efforts with navigation stakeholders, a consolidated Notice to Navigation Interests has been prepared for the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS). The intent is to provide consistency by reviewing and informing current district regulations with a joint notice that will be updated annually. The notice is applicable to the Little Rock (SWL) and Tulsa (SWT) Districts. 2. The basic document includes policies of general application to the described areas within the Southwestern Division, while the appendices cite policies applicable to MKARNS projects from Navigation Mile (NM) 0 to NM 445. Also included as an appendix is the Code of Federal Regulations containing the "Little Red Book" of navigation regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Army. 3. Comments on how we may improve this notice may be sent to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Little Rock District, ATTN: CESWL-OP-OM, 700 W. Capitol Avenue, P.O. Box 867, Little Rock, AR 72203-0867 or you may e-mail CESWL-OP-OM@usace.army.mil.

MKARNS Nav Notice SWL 26-12 Lock 2 Tow Haulage Return to Service

Press Operations — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:16:42 GMT

The tow haulage equipment at Lock No. 2 (NM 13.3) has been repaired and returned to service.

Temporary full road closure scheduled for Highway 178 across Bull Shoals Dam

Press Operations — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 20:02:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is scheduling a full road closure for Highway 178 across Bull Shoals Dam from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. March 10 through March 12, and March 18 through March 19, 2026, for conduit maintenance on the dam.

Beaver Lake Duty Room schedule change

Press Operations — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 16:25:19 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beaver Lake Project Office will adjust the schedule for the Beaver Lake Duty Room beginning March 1 to support recreation operations.

Swenson assumes command of USACE Little Rock District

Press Operations — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 22:15:39 GMT

Col. Eric R. Swenson assumes command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District on Feb. 23, 2026.

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works announces ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ initiative for the Army’s Civil Works program

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:36:00 GMT

Today, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam R. Telle announced a major initiative, “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” for the Army’s Civil Works program.

USACE and Pulaski County to close Big Dam Bridge for inspection

Press Operations — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:57:45 GMT

The Big Dam Bridge, across Murray Lock and Dam will be closed to all traffic from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. March 9 through March 13 for a routine bridge inspection.

MKARNS Nav Notice SWL 26-11 MPLD NavPass Open

Press Operations — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:20:59 GMT

Due to increased river elevations, the crest gate dam at Montgomery Point Lock and Dam (NM 0.5) is lowered and the navigation pass is open.

Temporary full road closure scheduled for Highway 178 across Bull Shoals Dam

Press Operations — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:11:21 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is scheduling a full road closure for Highway 178 across Bull Shoals Dam from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Feb. 24 through Feb. 26 for routine maintenance.

MKARNS Nav Notice SWL 26-10 MPLD Reopened - Width Restrictions

Press Operations — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:19:45 GMT

Mongomery Point Lock & Dam (NM 0.5) has reopened to navigation traffic 24-hours per day. However, a 70-ft width restriction remains in place. All mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution when transiting the lock. Tows should align with the land wall when nearing the downstream approach to avoid contact with the downstream river wall miter gate. Additionally, mariners should continue to expect longer than normal lockage times. These locking instructions will remain in place until further notice.

MKARNS Nav Notice SWL 26-09 MPLD Partial Lock Reopening - Width Restrictions

Press Operations — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:30:12 GMT

Due to ongoing hydraulic system repairs on the downstream river wall miter gate, Montgomery Point Lock & Dam (NM 0.5) is operating under the following restrictions until further notice: • Daily Closure: The lock will be closed to all traffic from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily to allow for repair work. • Limited Opening: The lock will be available for transit from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. • Width Restriction: A 70-foot width restriction is in effect during operating hours.

MKARNS Nav Notice SWL 26-08 MPLD Unscheduled Closure

Press Operations — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:42:29 GMT

Due to issues with the hydraulic system, Montgomery Point Lock and Dam (NM 0.5) is currently closed to traffic. Crews are onsite investigating the issue and will reopen the lock as soon as the repairs are completed. A subsequent Navigation Notice will be issued when the lock is reopened.

USACE announces public comment period for Blue Mountain Lake spillway bridge replacement

Press Operations — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 21:54:02 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District is seeking public comment on the draft environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact for the replacement of the spillway bridge at Blue Mountain Lake in Yell County, Arkansas.

MKARNS Nav Notice SWL 26-07 MPLD Nav Pass Closed

Press Operations — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:10:03 GMT

Due to falling river elevations, the crest gate dam at Montgomery Point Lock and Dam (NM 0.5) is in operation and the navigation pass is closed. All vessels are required to pass through the lock until further notice.

USACE to host Table Rock Lake boundary line workshops

Press Operations — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:14:26 GMT

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District is hosting a series of drop in workshops in February to help neighboring landowners identify and address boundary line issues on federal land around Table Rock Lake.

USACE announces Highway 32 reopened over Millwood Dam

Press Operations — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:37:42 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed maintenance work at Millwood Dam and Highway 32 is now open to all traffic. Crews finished pumping operations and restored normal access across the dam.