Reservoir Overlook

"The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District was established by the Mississippi legislature in 1958 to develop a reservoir to help prevent floods and provide a dependable water supply for Jackson, Mississippi. This was motivated in part by years of drought during the early 1950s. Today along the Natchez Trace Parkway, just north of Jackson, Mississippi there is a stop called the RESERVOIR OVERLOOK where visitors can see the results of the first project of its type undertaken by a local government for the expressed purpose of conservation and for making the maximum use of the available water supply. From this overlook you can see the Ross Barnett Reservoir, a 50 sq. mile body of water. This comes out to be about 66,000 acres of water formed by an earth filled dam along the Pearl River.

"For several miles the Natchez Trace Parkway leads travelers along the west bank of the reservoir which is one of the outstanding fishing, boating and recreational manmade lakes in Mississippi. Travelers along the Trace can see an abundance of wildlife living in the vicinity of the reservoir, drawn there for food and water. This is a peaceful ride filled with beautiful sights and scenery.

"Join us next time when we'll ride the parkway along the shore of the reservoir and listen to a selection of RoadMusic® written specifically for a drive along this section of the Trace. For Natchez Trace a road through the wilderness, I'm Frank Thomas."

For more about Natchez Trace: A Road Through the Wilderness, visit eddieandfrank.com