The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes in Mississippi will continue to implement the mandatory wearing of a life jacket. The following life jacket wear requirements will remain in effect on Arkabutla, Sardis, Enid, and Grenada Lakes.
1. All persons must wear a Type I, II, or III US Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times while swimming outside of designated swimming areas. Waivers may be issued by Corps Resource Managers to exempt participants of special events, such as triathlons, from this requirement while participating in the event.
2. All persons must wear a Type I, II, or III US Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times while skiing or being pulled by a vessel, regardless of vessel length.
3. All persons must wear a Type I, II, or III US Coast Guard-approved life jacket on powered vessels 16 to 26 feet in length whenever under power by the main propulsion unit. (This does not include when the vessel is stationary or powered by a trolling motor.)
4. All persons must wear a Type I, II, or III US Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times on powered vessels less than 16 feet in length or on non-powered vessels, regardless of length. Non-powered vessels include, but are not limited to canoes, kayaks, flat bottoms/john boats, sailboats, and paddleboats.
For more information on the North Mississippi Lakes Mandatory Life Jacket Wear Policy please contact: Arkabutla Lake Field Office 662-562-6261, Sardis Lake Field Office 662-563-4531, Enid Lake Field Office 662-563-4571, or Grenada Lake Field Office 662-226-5911.