About the Pat Harrison Waterway District

Our Mission

The mission of the Pat Harrison Waterway District is to develop and steward the Pascagoula River and its tributaries for flood control, water management, and recreation.

Established in 1962, the district is a political subdivision of the State of Mississippi. It stewards the reservoirs and tributaries of the Pascagoula River Basin and operates nine water parks offering camping, cabins, boating, swimming, and family recreation across southeast Mississippi.

Flood Control & Water Management

The Pat Harrison Waterway District's reservoirs help manage water flow, reduce flood risk throughout the Pascagoula River Basin, and provide a reliable long-term water resource for the region. In addition to its reservoir system, PHWD has partnered with its 12 member counties on numerous successful flood control and water management projects across the watershed. PHWD continues this collaborative approach today, working with local communities to reduce flood risks, protect water resources, and support the Basin's long-term resilience.

Recreation

From the 650-acre lake at Flint Creek to the tallest waterfall in Mississippi at Dunn's Falls, the district's parks welcome families, anglers, boaters, and campers year-round.

Board of Directors

A 15-member Board of Directors governs the Pat Harrison Waterway District. Each of the District's 12 member counties appoints one director, and the Governor of Mississippi appoints three additional directors.

History

The Pat Harrison Waterway District (PHWD) is a Mississippi special fund state agency created in 1962 to address flooding and steward water resources in the Pascagoula River Basin of southeastern and east-central Mississippi. The district was established by the Mississippi Legislature and was named for Pat Harrison, a longtime Mississippi U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator who served from 1911 to 1941.