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  • October

    Great Lakes and Ohio River Division September Employee of the Month

    Staff Spotlight: 23 Questions in 60 Seconds: Kylie Strunk

    LRD September Employee of the Month
  • Lead Operator Jesse Neal operates the grapple crane on the PRIDE of the Cumberland, placing debris into an air curtain burner on a new floating barge Oct. 21, 2020 in Lake Cumberland near Waitsboro Recreation Area in Somerset, Kentucky. (USACE Photo by Lee Roberts)

    Floating barge with air curtain burner incinerates Lake Cumberland debris

    SOMERSET, Ky. (Oct. 22, 2020) – A new floating barge equipped with an air curtain burner began incinerating debris on Lake Cumberland this week, a move that will increase the efficiency of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District team charged with debris removal operations onboard the PRIDE of the Cumberland.
  • Oregon Wildfires Temporary Housing Mission

    Oregon Wildfires Temporary Housing Mission

    Jason Ritter, Randy Campbell, Mike Johnson, Steve Caldwell and Cecil Cox have deployed to support wildfire recovery efforts in Oregon supporting the Portland District. FEMA Region X approved 3 counties in Oregon for a temporary housing mission. Wildfires have displaced nearly 800 families who are eligible for federal assistance.
  • A new podcast series tells the stories of how, over the last 10 years, a growing international community of practitioners, scientists, engineers, and researchers across many disciplines and organizations are working together to combine natural and engineering systems to solve problems and diversify infrastructure value by applying the principles and practices of Engineering With Nature®.

    Collaborating with industry to promote natural infrastructure

    In this episode of the Engineering With Nature® (EWN) Podcast, guests Don McNeill, business development manager for Caterpillar Inc.’s Earthmoving Division and director of the Natural Infrastructure Initiative (NII), and Dr. Mike Donahue, vice president of Water Resources & Environmental Services at AECOM, discuss the need for natural infrastructure solutions.

  • Sustainable Rivers Project

    Sustainable Rivers Program:Improving our River BasinsThe Sustainable Rivers Program (SRP) is a
  • IN THE PHOTO, Bartlett police officers made a surprise visit to Contract Specialist Sequoria Wilson’s son’s birthday party, at her request, earlier this month. “They gave out goody bags to all the kids, took my son on a ride around the block, and took pictures," Wilson said. "The goody bags had masks, a BPD coin, coloring book, candy, toy shields, and more." (Courtesy photo)

    A birthday to remember

    As children, we grow up dreaming of what we want to be when we grow up. When we set our sights on something and become passionate about it, nothing can get in our way. One Memphis District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers child is very interested in police officers, to say the least. Anything having to do with the police, he loves it.
  • Aerial photo taken of the San Francisco Waterfront.

    Corps seeks public comments for SF Waterfront Flood Resiliency Study

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) San Francisco District is preparing a feasibility study to evaluate coastal storm and flood risk management alternatives along 7.5 miles of the San Francisco Waterfront. USACE is currently accepting public comments regarding the study. Comments, including any suggested alternatives, information and analyses for our consideration are requested by Oct. 21, 2020.
  • Lt. Col. McGee is seen here holding a traditional staff meeting with his team in Pre-Covid 19 conditions.

    The Power of Recruiting, Training, and Retaining: Assembling the Best Workforce for FED

    As the Corps of Engineers Far East District works to complete the 107 projects currently in construction phase, the District’s general and administrative (G&A) staff work diligently behind the scenes to support all the public can see as they drive by any US Army Corps of Engineers construction site.
  • Erica Medley, a dam safety geologist with Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, makes her way through thick smoke and fallen trees as she surveys damage on site at Blue River Dam Sept. 14. Medley joined a multi-disciplinary team of operations, engineering and dam safety personnel for a detailed inspection of the project just days after the Holiday Farm Fire burned through the area, impacting Blue River and nearby Cougar Dam.

    Historic wildfires test Corps’ Willamette Valley projects

    The Beachie Creek and Lionshead wildfires that closed in on the Corps 13-dam system in the Willamette Valley caused minor damage to four dams.
  • A worker installs a blackout shade in a barrack on Fort Wainwright in March 2020.

    Corps project helps improve Soldiers’ sleep

    Almost every night, people close their curtains to go to sleep; but for Soldiers stationed in the Fairbanks area, regular curtains will not suffice. Getting quality sleep in the middle of summer, when daylight is nearly 24 hours a day, is a challenge that can adversely affect mental health. U.S. Army Garrison Alaska is taking a multifaceted approach to address this problem and a small but effective piece of this work is by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District. They worked with Fort Wainwright and Fort Greely to install 2,740 blackout shades in 30 barracks this year to improve sleep quality and in turn, enhance the mental health and well-being of Alaska’s warfighters.
  • The state of Louisiana constructed two sand berms between 2010 and 2011 to protect the Chandeleur Islands as part of an emergency response plan to mitigate the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Most of the sediment placed in the berms mimicked nearshore beneficial use of dredged material applications that are used for barrier island nourishment and restoration. A study found that sediment was transported onto existing island features or across the island into Chandeleur Sound. The build up and reinforcement of the island ensures its viability as wildlife habitat, making this an excellent example of working with natural processes to produce beneficial results. The effort to create the berms and evaluate them was a collaboration between multiple state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (U.S. Geological Survey photo by Karen Morgan)

    USACE Engineering With Nature Initiative launches new network, partnership

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced a new partnership with the University of Georgia (UGA) to establish the Network for Engineering With Nature (N-EWN). N-EWN was developed to accelerate delivery of nature-based solutions and natural infrastructure in the public and private sectors.
  • workers repairing a levee in Atkins, Arkansas

    Work nears completion on Conway and Pope County Levee

    In 2019, floods damaged levees across the Arkansas River Valley. As part of a joint effort with levee districts throughout the state, the Little Rock District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rushed to identify the damage and make repairs. Now, with fall crisp in the air, contractors working in the newly consolidated levee district of Conway and Pope County, are well ahead of schedule.
  • IN THE PHOTO, members of the Infrastructure Assessment Planning and Response Team assess an area damaged by Hurricane Laura in southwestern Louisiana. The Corps evaluated a total of 52 fire stations, 53 water and wastewater facilities, and one hospital while deployed to Louisiana. (Courtesy photo)

    USACE supports storm survivors with safe structures

    Responding to disasters is one of several missions the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is tasked with. Part of answering this call is through specialized teams that go out and conduct infrastructure assessments in disaster areas. "On Aug. 29, the Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deployed an Infrastructure Assessment Planning and Response Team (PRT) management cell to Louisiana," Infrastructure Assessment Action Officer Doug Weber said. "When I first started on the Infrastructure Assessment team, I thought it was all about placarding peoples’ homes for safety, " Mission Specialist Adrienne Murphy said. "But in our last two deployments, we’ve been asked to perform inspections of drinking water systems, wastewater systems, and public facilities like hospitals and fire stations."
  • Brad Trumbo, fish and wildlife biologist for the Walla Walla District, trimming coyote willow whips in the stilling basin of the Mill Creek Diversion Dam in Walla Walla.

    Corps repurposes native willow for habitat improvement

    In an effort to stabilize shorelines, protect cultural sites and improve habitat for fish and wildlife, Corps engineers, biologists and environmental scientists have repurposed native coyote willow found below the Mill Creek Diversion Dam at Rooks Park in Walla Walla.
  • Project Engineer Nicole Hill and Her Pet-Friendly Assignment

    Project Engineer Nicole Hill and Her Pet-Friendly Assignment

    Nicole Hill is the Project Engineer overseeing the construction of Camp Humphrey’s newest pet-friendly facility. Charged with ensuring this project is completed safely, on budget, and schedule; Nicole has worked diligently with project contractors to deliver amenities pet enthusiasts will love.
  • U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) ERDC University 2020 graduates, from left, Natural Resource Specialist Jason Knight, Tulsa District, assigned to the ERDC Environmental Laboratory (EL); Cost Civil Engineer Ian Pumo, Seattle District, assigned to EL and the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory; Biologist Aaron McFarlane, St. Paul District, assigned to EL; Geologist David Robison, Louisville District, assigned to Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory; and Human Capital Office Director Dr. Gary Anderton. Corps division and district participants

    ERDC University’s virtual graduation honors district participants

    Four presentations highlighted the Sept. 23 virtual ceremony for the Class of 2020 graduates of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) ERDC University, with topics ranging from a comparison of healthy forest soils and those created for restoration projects; Unmanned Aerial Systems’ (UAS) mapping of former river channels’ crossing levees; Engineering With Nature® (EWN) resilience benefits; and extensive data results from forest volume measurements.
  • The PDT pose together

    Louisville, Buffalo teams receive national recognition for VA Canandaigua project

    The project delivery team responsible for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ major construction project at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center in New York has earned national recognition for their efforts.
  • Aerial

    Monday primed for Portsmouth mosquito spraying

    Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct another round of aerial mosquito treatment Wednesday over federal property on Craney Island in Portsmouth.
  • Aerial

    Monday primed for Portsmouth mosquito spraying

    Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct another round of aerial mosquito treatment Wednesday over federal property on Craney Island in Portsmouth.

  • Louisville, Buffalo teams receive national recognition for VA Canandaigua project

    The project delivery team responsible for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ major construction
  • A new podcast series tells the stories of how, over the last 10 years, a growing international community of practitioners, scientists, engineers, and researchers across many disciplines and organizations are working together to combine natural and engineering systems to solve problems and diversify infrastructure value by applying the principles and practices of Engineering With Nature®.

    Protecting fragile coasts and improving community resilience

    In this episode of the new Engineering With Nature® Podcast, guest Monica Chasten, a project manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Philadelphia District’s Operations Division, discusses Engineering With Nature (EWN) and her work and collaboration with other scientists and engineers to advance coastal dredging practices and the beneficial use of dredged material.
  • Dr. William “Bill” Martin

    ERDC to induct two to Distinguished Gallery

    The U.S. Army Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) will induct two former employees to the Waterways Experiment Station (WES) Gallery of Distinguished Civilian Employees Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. Central in the ERDC Headquarters Auditorium.
  • Gathright Dam in Alleghany County, Virginia, impounds water flowing down the Jackson River to create the 2,500-acre Lake Moomaw. Since opening in 1979, the dam has prevented numerous floods, saving countless dollars and lives.

    Gathright Dam’s third pulse release set for October 14

    COVINGTON, Va. – Gathright Dam operators are scheduled to carry out the year’s third water-pulse
  • Gathright Dam in Alleghany County, Virginia, impounds water flowing down the Jackson River to create the 2,500-acre Lake Moomaw. Since opening in 1979, the dam has prevented numerous floods, saving countless dollars and lives.

    Gathright Dam’s third pulse release set for October 14

    COVINGTON, Va. – Gathright Dam operators are scheduled to carry out the year’s third water-pulse
  • A California Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk places a 3,000-pound sandbag at the Whittier Narrows Dam Basin in Montebello, California, as part of an exercise during which the district teamed up with the California Army National Guard to demonstrate flood-mitigation capabilities.

    LA District teams up with California Guard for flood-control exercise

    Partnership was the keyword Oct. 8 as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District teamed up with the California Army National Guard for a flood-control exercise at the Whittier Narrows Dam Basin.
  • IN THE PHOTOS, Memphis District employees gather for a memorial earlier today at the Clifford-Davis Odell Horton Federal Building to honor and remember seven teammates, who to many of us were family, that we unfortunately lost over the last year. All seven have been and will be dearly missed. The District Commander, Corps Chaplain, Physical Support Branch Chief Lawrence “LT” Thomas, and Operations Division Chief Russell Davis III spoke words of solace and encouragement during this time where we are all experiencing a rollercoaster ride of emotions. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

    Remembering our Memphis District brothers and sister

    Members of the Memphis District gathered for a memorial yesterday morning at the Clifford-Davis Odell Horton Federal Building to honor and remember seven teammates, who to many of us were family, that we unfortunately lost over the last year. An additional ceremony was held later in the day at the Ensley Engineer Yard to dedicate a newly planted tree to those seven fallen teammates. The tree was planted to replace the first commemorative tree, dedicated to all deceased U.S. Army Corps of Engineers members who had served proudly. That tree had 'lived it's given life' and was unfortunately uprooted during a strong storm in years past.
  • Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, Chief of Engineers, visited New York District.

    U.S. Army Chief of Engineers Visits New York District

    Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, Chief of Engineers, visited New York District October 5-6 and observed the District’s civil works projects and facilities.
  • Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, Chief of Engineers, visited New York District.

    U.S. Army Chief of Engineers Visits New York District

    Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, Chief of Engineers, visited New York District October 5-6 and observed the District’s civil works projects and facilities.
  • The new Climatic Chamber Building will serve as a Material Evaluation Facility. Completion of this facility will provide a critical means to examine extreme cold weather environments under test conditions necessary to develop and validate Army field materiel which is required for soldier and unit readiness.

    ERDC’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory builds Climatic Chamber Facility

    The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) announced July 9, 2020, that the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) was awarded an Unspecified Minor Military Construction Authority contract to build a Climatic Chamber Facility on the Hanover, New Hampshire, campus.
  • A contractor spays special foam on a coal fire at an abandoned Navy coal mine in Cumberland, Washington, August, 2020. At the request of the Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation the USACE Omaha District's rapid response team was asked to provide assistance. (Courtesy photo by Mr. Jeremy Ayala)

    District’s rapid response team helps extinguish coalmine fire in Washington state.

    In June, after an unsuccessful attempt by local firefighters to put out a smoldering fire at an abandoned Navy coalmine in Cumberland, Washington, the Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation reached out to the USACE Omaha District’s technical center of expertise rapid response team for assistance.