USACE to begin Millwood Lake drawdown

ASHDOWN, Ark. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District lowered Millwood Lake on yesterday July 28, 2025, to improve shoreline vegetation and promote sediment compaction.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has requested that Millwood Lake be lowered 24 inches this summer to allow planting of Japanese millet. The Southwest Arkansas Water District, which owns the conservation pool rights, has approved the use of its storage to support the request.

The drawdown will expose a large area of shoreline for re-vegetation. Planting millet will help improve water quality, boost fish production and provide valuable habitat for wintering waterfowl. The lake will be held near an elevation of 257.2 feet until Sept. 15, 2025, when it will be raised six inches. The lake will be raised to the top of its normal conservation pool of 259.2 feet on Nov. 1, 2025.

Boaters are encouraged to wear a life jacket and exercise caution during the drawdown as submerged stumps and shallow areas will be more prominent, especially in boat lanes.

For more information, contact the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office at 870-898-3343.

Recreation information can be found on the Internet at www.swl.usace.army.mil,on Facebook at www.facebook.com/littlerockusaceand on the USACE Little Rockwater level mobile app at www.swl.usace.army.mil/Home/water-control-app/.