The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District announced Monday the gates of the Steele Bayou Control Structure, located approximately 10 miles north of Vicksburg, have been closed and provided an update on forecasts and conditions across the district’s jurisdiction.

Rising stages on the Mississippi River have created conditions that require the Steele Bayou Control Structure’s gates to be closed. The structure, which was built in 1969, combined with the Mississippi River and Yazoo Backwater levees, prevents the Yazoo and Mississippi rivers from backing up and further flooding the Delta. Based on seven days of forecasted rainfall, the Yazoo Backwater Area is forecasted to crest at 95-96 feet in the coming weeks.

The National Weather Service has forecasted an average of 0.75-2.5 inches of rainfall over the Lower Mississippi River Valley over the next seven days. The Mississippi River is expected to crest at Arkansas City, Ark., at 42 feet April 6; Greenville, at 53.5 feet April 7; Vicksburg, at 49 feet April 8; and Natchez, at 56 feet April 9. These predictions are based on two days of forecasted rainfall and may change based on future rainfall.