All four flood gates on the Steele Bayou Drainage Structure were opened Thursday, initiating the draining of 404,000 acres of flooded forest and farmland north of Vicksburg. The water flow from the control structure once the gates were opened was minimal due to only a .02 foot difference in the water level on each side of the dam. The Mississippi River continued its retreat this morning, down to 44.5 feet in a drop of 0.7 foot since Thursday. Flood stage at Vicksburg is 43 feet.