In the News

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) had its annual high water inspection tour down the Mississippi river this week.

It’s a time when those with an interest in the river get a chance to share needs and ideas...

The Mississippi river commission’s four public hearings aim to hear what’s on people’s minds during its annual high-water inspection.

Dolly Marascalco from Grenada says this event encourages community discussions about the Mississippi river.

“Everyone in this room is looking for money, of course, from the corps of engineers and Washington,” said Dolly Marascalco.

The Mississippi river commission authority extends the entire length of the Mississippi River, from Lake Itasca, Minnesota all the way to the gulf. 

Engineers travel to the drainage basin, which impacts 41% of the United States.

This area includes 1.25 million square miles, over 250 tributaries, 31 states and 2 Canadian provinces.

That’s a lot of potential projects for a lot of communities asking for the corps’ help.

Major General Kimberly Peeples told those gathered here; to stay patient, as worthy projects will eventually get the corps’ attention.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it was built; that’s a motto of the corps of engineers as well. Things do take time but together they get done,” said Kimberly Peeples.

What kind of projects?  Most involve flood control, the Mississippi river and tributaries project, and other water resource challenges.

Various needs....which all need money.

“Today I was here to testify for the needs of our lake in Mississippi, specifically our largest lake, which is Grenada Lake,” said Dolly Marascalco.

Marascalco says Grenada Lake gets over a million visitors each year but this year they’ve been having issues due to funding cuts.

When the tour concludes, the commission's president will provide a summary report for national and regional issues.

But thanks to this event, Marascalco remains hopeful her pitch will result in a little more money for Grenada Lake.