The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District Monday announced it had closed the gates of the Steele Bayou Control Structure.

The District cited rising stages on the Mississippi River and projected rainfall as reasons for the closure that it expects to last for up to 14 days “depending on future rainfall.”

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.

The current interior stage of the Yazoo Backwater Area is approximately 91 feet and will remain steady while the structure’s gates are closed.

The National Weather Service has forecasted an average of 0.1-1 inches of rainfall over the Lower Mississippi River Valley over the next seven days. The Mississippi River is expected to crest at Vicksburg at 44.5 feet June 7.

These predictions are based on two days of forecasted rainfall and may change based on future rainfall.