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  • February

    U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Fire Officer Ernest “Lee” Williams points out safety features to Vicksburg Fire Department Chief Craig Danczyk, Assistant Chief Tim Love, ERDC Safety and Environmental Management Office’s Bobby McComas, Deputy Fire Chief Trey Martin and Fire Inspector/Investigator Nathaniel Williams during a pre-planning site visit at the Information Technology Laboratory in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Jan. 28, 2021

    Synergy for safety: ERDC partners with local fire department for increased protection

    When it comes to emergency response, it’s said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. For the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and the City of Vicksburg Fire Department (VFD), the old adage is more than just a saying, it’s a blueprint for success. Until the mid-1990s, ERDC was home to its own fire department on the Waterways Experiment Station. After that, fire protection was transferred over to the City of Vicksburg.
  • A nucleus of bees are busy in their hand-made hives at Trinidad Lake, Colo.

    Beekeeping at Trinidad Lake and Dam

    The staff at Trinidad has recently added bee-keeping to their list of ongoing projects. This beekeeping venture is the brainchild of Kyle Sisco, natural resources specialist, Trinidad Lake.
  • The Oregonian recognized the Corps' efforts to save the downtown Portland area from the flooding.

    Containing the Flood of 1996

    One of the biggest floods the Portland District faced in the late 20th century occurred in February 1996 and caused millions of dollars in damage to the region. The District played a crucial role in combating this flood 's impact through a variety of short-term and long-term activities.

  • Restoration Regulation

    A $30 million project on the Manokin River in Somerset County is on track to be the world’s largest oyster restoration effort. For any restoration project, permits are required to evaluate potential project impacts - both positive and negative - on the environment before work can proceed. While USACE has been the lead for reef construction efforts on other tributaries, in the case of the Manokin, USACE played the role of regulator.

  • January

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    USACE fulfills a tall order

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District uses the latest demolition technology to remove an old stack at the Brookhaven National Laboratory to make the area safe for the community.
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    USACE fulfills a tall order

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District uses the latest demolition technology to remove an old stack at the Brookhaven National Laboratory to make the area safe for the community.
  • IN THE PHOTOS, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller and other district leadership are briefed on the details of the project at the site where the construction took place. Afterward, the group held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the victory and celebration of completing yet another significant project. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

    W.G. Huxtable gear box repair complete

    Among the five ribbon cuttings held Jan. 26, Memphis District leadership stopped at the W.G. Huxtable Pumping Plant in Lee County, Marianna, Arkansas, to celebrate another project completed with the help of District Partner St. Francis Levee District, pumping plant employees, and the Project Delivery Team.
  • IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller, District Partners, and other district leadership were briefed on the details of the St. Francis bridge (CR736) project at the exact site where the construction took place. Afterward, the group held a ribbon-cutting ceremony (in the photo), symbolizing the victory and celebration of completing yet another significant project. (USACE photo by Vance Harris)

    Graham Burke Pumping Station back online

    Congratulations to the Memphis District team responsible for getting the Graham Burke Pumping Station repaired and back online. To celebrate construction completion, the Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller, district leadership, the Project Delivery Team, and a representative of District Partner White River Levee and Drainage District, other pumping plant employees came together to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 20, 2021.
  • IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller and other district leadership are briefed on the details of the St. Francis bridge (CR736) project at the exact site where the construction took place. Afterward, the group held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the victory and celebration of completing yet another significant project. (USACE photo by Jessica Haas)

    Complete: Scour repairs downstream of St. Francis bridge

    The Memphis District has done it again. The Memphis District Commander, Col. Zachary Miller, district leadership, Project Partner Rob Rash, and Project Delivery Team members all gathered to celebrate, with a ribbon-cutting, the completion of yet another significant project involving riverbank armoring. Along with our longtime partner, the St. Francis Levee District of Arkansas, represented by Rob Rash, the Memphis District awarded a contract to A Rock Construction Co., Inc., in the amount of $2,786,197, to remove debris, reshape the channel, and armor the bank with more than 27,000 tons of stone along the CR736 Bridge over the St. Francis River in St. Francis County, Arkansas.

  • Achieving More Together: The State of Collaboration in USACE

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Institute for Water Resources (IWR) recently released a report titled The State of Collaboration in USACE: A Field Perspective in 2019-2020 Part 1: Survey Responses. The ability of the agency to effectively collaborate with stakeholders is critical for achieving the USACE mission. To assess the capacity of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to collaborate with stakeholders and inform strategic planning, the USACE Collaboration and Public Participation Center of Expertise (CPCX) has administered the Collaborative Capacity Assessment Initiative every five years since 2009. Highlights of the 2019 survey results are captured herein: outlining the major themes in the responses, as well as comparing the responses to those of previous years.
  • Buoy deployed at Port Everglades currently being used for monitoring water quality and oceanographic data in near real-time. The buoy is a loan from NOAA’s AOML. (Courtesy photo by Dr. Anthony Priestas, ERDC-CHL)

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tests artificial-intelligence tool for monitoring water quality and oceanographic conditions at Port Everglades

    Large-scale coastal dredging projects have the potential to add stress to coral reef communities in surrounding areas, especially if impacts are undetected or fail to be detected in time.
  • Cover of USACE publication

    IWR in 2020-2021 USACE "Building Strong Serving the Nation and the Armed Forces" Publication

    The 2020-2021 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “Building Strong®: Serving the Nation and the Armed Forces” digital publication is available NOW online. 
  • Students from the U.S. Army Prime Power School repair a spliced electrical cable during one of many electrical outage scenarios incorporated in the Prime Power Capstone Training Exercise at the Contingency Basing Integration Training and Evaluation Center (CBITEC) in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Aug. 11, 2020. Prime Power School students are tested at the CBITEC on the knowledge, skills and abilities they gained over the year-long course to become prime power specialists. CBITEC is a U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory facility that supports the operational energy continuum and safely trains the warfighter to tackle the nation’s power challenges.

    Contingency Basing Integration Training, Evaluation Center tests U.S. Army Prime Power School students

    The Contingency Basing Integration Training and Evaluation Center (CBITEC), in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, provides U.S. Army Prime Power School students with testing facilities throughout their year-long training program. While the students encounter a variety of course challenges, the hands-on training provided and facilitated by the CBITEC is considered the most demanding. CBITEC is a U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) facility that supports the operational energy continuum and safely trains the warfighter to tackle the nation’s power challenges.

  • Student STEM Stars

    Col. Thomas J. Verell, Jr., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Japan Engineer District’s commander, recognized the hard work and dedication of three Zama Middle High School students by presenting them each a commander’s coin and letter of recommendation for use in their future careers at JED Headquarters, Jan. 22.
  • U. S. Soldiers of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Afghanistan District, Bagram Airfield pose in front of the U.S. and USACE command flag after the Casing of the Colors Ceremony. Representing the District are from left, Sergeant First Class Joseph Harrison (kneeling), Sergeant Major Nathan Marshall, Senior Enlisted Leader, COL Mark Geraldi, Afghanistan District Commanding Officer, and Major John Zook (kneeling).

    Casing of the Colors: A transitional milestone

    Adversity and flexibility have always been the foundation for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, and as the landscape of Afghanistan continues to evolve, so do transitions within USACE in continuing to support its mission in theater.
  • Buoy deployed at Port Everglades currently being used for monitoring water quality and oceanographic data in near real-time. The buoy is a loan from NOAA’s AOML. (Courtesy photo by Dr. Anthony Priestas, ERDC-CHL)

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers uses artificial-intelligence tool to monitor dredging projects at Port Everglades in near real-time

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District uses forecasting tool in partnership with other federal agencies to safely monitor dredging operations throughout the region.
  • USACE Philadelphia District Structural Engineer Adrian Kollias conducts a bridge inspection at the Mahoning Creek Lake in New Bethlehem, PA in July 2020.

    Philly District’s Bridge Inspection & Evaluation Team Reaches New Heights

    The Bridge Inspection & Evaluation Center of Expertise, based in Philadelphia, consists of 15 engineers who provide design and evaluation services, ten of whom are also rope-access certified technicians.
  • The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center announces Jan. 25, 2021, a three-year research collaboration with the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) to create oyster reef habitat in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

    ERDC partners with University of Southern Mississippi to maximize Gulf oyster habitat restoration

    The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) has announced a three-year research collaboration with the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) to create oyster reef habitat in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
  • Crews work on the Rockaway Project.

    As Groins Take Shape, the Rockaway Project Keeps Moving

    Rockaway, NY- Crews are hard at work executing the first contract tied to the East Rockaway Inlet to Rockaway Inlet, and Jamaica Bay Project in New York. This project has been in the works for more than a decade and was accelerated following the impacts from Hurricane Sandy and a series of Nor’easters that have left the community vulnerable to risk from coastal flooding.

  • JED STEM Reaffirmation

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan District renewed their commitment to the nation’s emerging scientists and engineers with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding uniting Japan Engineer District and Zama Middle High School at JED’s headquarters here Jan. 19.
  • IN THE PHOTOS, Project Manager Mark Mazzone briefs Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller and other district leadership on the details of the Hopefield project at the exact site where the armoring took place. Afterward, the group walked down to the riverbank to cut the ribbon, symbolizing the victory and celebration of completing yet another significant project. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

    Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Hopefield Point completion

    The Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller, district leadership, and members of the Project Delivery Team gathered on the Mississippi Riverbanks in Arkansas for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a bank armoring project, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
  • IN THE PHOTOS, Project Management Branch Chief Regina Kuykendoll Cash (left photo, center in right photo) retired from the Memphis District after serving 35 years of federal service. Congratulations and many, many thanks to her for her dedicated service to our nation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mission.

    A look back: Kuykendoll Cash’s 35 years of service

    Congratulations to Project Management Branch Chief Regina Kuykendoll Cash, who retired from the Memphis District after serving about 35 years of federal service. To celebrate her, we take a look back at her many years of service and recognize her for most everything she’s done, not just for the Memphis District, but also for our Nation.
  • Dan Hua (Right), Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency wildlife biologist and facility supervisor of the Cumberland River Aquatic Center in Gallatin, Tennessee; uses a device that recognizes tagged mussels, while Don Hubbs (Center), wildlife biologist and mussel recovery coordinator; and Jack Fetters, wildlife technician; sieve substrate to capture tagged mussels Oct. 1, 2019 at Lick Creek in Santa Fe, Tennessee. When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District lowered Lake Cumberland in Kentucky in 2008 to relieve pressure on Wolf Creek Dam, an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to mitigate environmental impacts resulted in mitigation dollars being committed to the aquatic center. (Photo by Kristin Irwin)

    Cumberland River Aquatic Center flexes its mussels with Corps mitigation dollars

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 22, 2021) – It took 12 years, but a $750,000 mitigation effort culminated in late 2020 that helped the Cumberland River Aquatic Center to propagate mussels and other aquatic species.

  • Deep Creek Bridge Project receives $12.6M in USACE Work Plan

    WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) delivered to Congress its Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 2021) Work Plan for the Army Civil Works program on January 19, 2021, which included funding appropriations for the Deep Creek Bridge Replacement Project in Chesapeake, Virginia in the amount of $12,657,000.

  • Deep Creek Bridge Project receives $12.6M in USACE Work Plan

    WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) delivered to Congress its Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 2021) Work Plan for the Army Civil Works program on January 19, 2021, which included funding appropriations for the Deep Creek Bridge Replacement Project in Chesapeake, Virginia in the amount of $12,657,000.
  • Ivan Caceres, left, quality assurance and construction control representative with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District, describes the layout of the new Community Living Center to Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commanding general and chief of engineers, during his visit Jan. 13, 2021, to the construction site at the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System complex in Long Beach, California.

    Corps’ top leaders tour, receive update on VA Long Beach Healthcare System projects

    Top leaders with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made a Jan. 13 site visit to the Department of Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System medical complex to see the progress of two projects totaling $350 million.
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    From the Navy to the Army: Andra Homer serves with pride

    Have you ever met someone and just instantly felt like they could be your best friend? Someone who’s energy is so contagious, warm, and welcoming, that you just want to bundle them up and keep them close to you all the time? Someone who looks at the world through a rose-colored lens, where every obstacle is an opportunity? If not, then let me introduce you to Andra Homer.

  • Unmanned Aircraft pilots take USACE imagery to new heights

    It was a seriously chilly morning, at least by California standards, when U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District Public Affairs Specialists John Prettyman and Luke Burns arrived with the sun at Prairie City recreation area near Folsom on Dec. 16. It was a perfect day for training. Windless, the sun burning off light ground fog, a smattering of layered clouds in the distance.

  • Abou-El-Seoud selected as senior economist for USACE Great Lakes and Ohio River Division

    Dena Abou-El-Seoud, economist in the USACE Chicago District’s Planning Branch, has been selected to become the senior economist at the Great Lakes & Ohio River Division’s (LRD) Planning and Policy Division. With yesterday as her official start day, she will be a virtual employee and Chicago District will continue to be her home base. The Chicago District is one of seven districts under LRD.
  • The 55th Chief of Engineers, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, and the 14th Command Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major Patrickson Toussaint, visited the Memphis District last week to better understand some of the ways the district is supporting the USACE Civil Works mission. (USACE photos by Vance Harris)

    The 55th Chief of Engineers visits the Memphis District

    The 55th Chief of Engineers, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, and the 14th Command Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major Patrickson Toussaint, visited the Memphis District last week to better understand some of the ways the district supports the USACE Civil Works mission.