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  • July

    NORFOLK, Va. -- James Mercur was the second officer in charge of what would later become the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He took command as the Engineer in Charge of the United States Engineer Office in Norfolk on June 15, 1881, after the first commander, Capt. Charles B. Phillips, died while still in command. He served at the Norfolk office until March 15, 1884, after which he returned the the military academy to teach civil and military engineering until he died in 1896. (U.S. Army photo)

    Norfolk District 135: James Mercur

    On June 15, 1881, Capt. James Mercur took command as the second engineer in charge of the Norfolk office after Capt. Charles B. Phillips, the first engineer in charge, died while still in command. He was in charge of improving the Norfolk, Virginia and Beaufort and Edenton, North Carolina harbors; Cape Fear River and Currituck Sound
  • Craney Island Dredged Material Management Area (CIDMMA), also known as Craney Island, is the “Jewel in the Port of Hampton Roads.” Since its construction in 1957, Craney Island’s centralized location provides a low-cost placement option for material dredged from Hampton Roads navigation channels, as well as from private dredging projects.

    Craney Island mosquito spraying set for July 28

    The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the city of Portsmouth, Va., will conduct joint aerial mosquito spraying Monday, July 28, at federal properties on Craney Island and adjacent city properties.
  • WACHAPREAGUE, Va. – Stakeholders meet with representatives from the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers here May 21, 2014. The meeting was an opportunity for Norfolk District experts to talk about and answer questions regarding the upcoming maintenance dredging project, which will dredge Finney Creek and Bradford Bay near Wachapreague in August 2014. (U.S. Army photo/Kerry L. Solan)

    Norfolk District prepares to dredge near Wachapreague

    On the Eastern Shore’s lacey, Atlantic-facing coast, two main channels in Finney Creek and Bradford Bay cut their way inland toward the Victorian-era town of Wachapreague, Virginia. The channels, which provide tourism and commerce to Wachapreague and navigation abilities to the U.S. Coast Guard, have naturally silted over since routine dredging in early 2013, but the process was given a significant nudge by Hurricane Sandy. For several months, the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has prepared and begun to implement plans to dredge the channels.

  • Sandy restoration work for NASA’s Wallops Island commences

    Construction work to restore the beach and dunes protecting NASA’s Wallops Island Flight Facility damaged by super storm Sandy began here July 18.
  • NORFOLK, Va. -- Charles B. Phillips was the first officer in charge of what would later become the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He took command on July 1, 1879, and as the Engineer in Charge of the United States Engineer Office in Norfolk, he supervised improvements of the Norfolk Harbor and its approaches, which are known collectively today as the Port of Virginia. The Norfolk Office at that time was located in Room #2 of the Custom House in Norfolk. He died on June 14, 1881, at the age of 41, while still in command of the Norfolk office. (U.S. Army photo)

    Norfolk District 135: Charles B. Phillips

    Editor’s note: Beginning July 1, 2014, Norfolk District celebrates its 135 Anniversary. Stay with us throughout the year as we look back at our former commanders, completed projects and distinguished employees. On July 1, 1879, Capt. Charles B. Phillips became the Engineer in Charge of the United States Engineer Office in Norfolk, which was the predecessor to the Norfolk District.
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold its 2015 FNOD quarterly restoration advisory board meeting March 25, 6-8 p.m., at the Courtyard Marriott, located at 8060 Harbour View Boulevard, Suffolk, Virginia.

    Corps to host FNOD public meeting July 10; receive public comments through July 30

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public meeting July 10, 6-8 p.m., to discuss proposed clean-up plans for three sites at the Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot in Suffolk, Va.

  • June

    Old Dominion University seniors, Chance Rabun, Michael Chatman and Amanda Downs, brief ODU faculty and Corps advisory team on their final senior design report: the Emergency Power Needs for Critical Facilities project. David Gary, Norfolk District’s Mechanical and Electrical Section chief, said the final report was complete and comprehensive.

    Hampton Roads communities use student ingenuity, benefit from emergency power assessments

    With the 2014 hurricane season upon us, 10 critical facilities throughout Chesapeake, Gloucester County and James City County can rest easier knowing their emergency power needs have been accurately documented.

  • District continues Fort Lee transformation; delivers world-class support to warfighter

    Four years after Fort Lee became the central hub for Army logistics training due to the Base Realignment and Closure 2005 decision, the installation and its major tenants continue to evolve.
  • COVINGTON, Va. -- Gathright Dam's intake tower casts a shadow over Lake Moomaw. The earthen and rolled rock-fill dam, pictured in the upper right-hand corner of the photo, impounds the flow of the Jackson River and creates Lake Moomaw, serving both flood control and recreational purposes. (U.S. Army photo/Kerry Solan)

    Officials announce change to Gathright Dam pulse release dates

    The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced a change to two pulse release dates scheduled in August and early September. The six pulses, and the amended dates, are scheduled for the following Wednesdays: June 25 July 23 Aug. 20 Sept. 10 Sept. 24 Oct. 15
  • COVINGTON, Va. -- Gathright Dam's intake tower rises out of Lake Moomaw Dec. 12, 2012. The earthen and rolled rock-fill dam impounds the flow of the Jackson River and creates Lake Moomaw, serving both flood control and recreational purposes. (U.S. Army photo/Kerry Solan)

    Corps and commonweath announce Gathright Dam pulse release dates

    The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will deviate from Gathright Dam’s existing water control plan in order to conduct six pulse releases from June through October 2014.
  • More than 70 volunteers participated in this year’s Clean the Bay Day with the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The location: the Craney Island Dredged Material Management Area here June 7, 2014. Volunteers from Williamsburg, James City County, Yorktown, Newport News, Poquoson, Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Plymouth, Minnesota participated. Organizations represented included not only the Norfolk District but also members from Lafayette, Woodside, I.C. Norcom and Churchland High Schools, Girls Scout Troup 1381, Bayside Area Boy Scouts, Boy Scout Troup 6, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Army, Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, the Society of Military Engineers and other organizations not captured. A total of 68 bags of trash - 1,410 pounds of bagged trash and approximately 590 pounds of bulk non-bagged items – were collected. The most unusual items included a sledge hammer, a dog carcass, a kayak paddle, one dead turtle, a respirator, an arrow and one big red ball. The majority of debris was cigarette butts, plastic bottles and Styrofoam from buoys.

    Corps, volunteers collect more than 2,000 pounds of shoreline debris

    PORTSMOUTH, Virginia – Sunglasses. Check! Bug spray. Check! Bottled water. Check! Trash bags. Check!
  • NORFOLK, Va. -- Norfolk District leadership gathered May 19, 2014 for hurricane contingency planning in the case the district's headquarters, the Waterfield Building, was heavily damaged during a storm. The Continuity of Operations meeting anticipated needs, abilities and work-arounds for the more than 300 Norfolk District employees. (U.S. Army photo/Patrick Bloodgood)

    Worst-case scenario forecasting helps district plan for hurricane season

    Six feet of murky river water swirls around desks, seeps through walls and begins corroding wires. It’s a scenario that would put Norfolk District out for six months and cause $10 million or more in damage. “All it would take is a hurricane catching us at high tide and that could be a reality for us,” said Stan Ballard, district emergency management services chief. Ballard gathered leadership for Continuity of Operations meeting, or COOP, to anticipate needs, abilities and work-arounds for the more than 300 Norfolk District employees in such a scenario.

  • Worst-case scenario forecasting helps district plan for hurricane season

    Six feet of murky river water swirls around desks, seeps through walls and begins corroding wires. It’s a scenario that would put Norfolk District out for six months and cause $10 million or more in damage.

  • May

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold its 2015 FNOD quarterly restoration advisory board meeting March 25, 6-8 p.m., at the Courtyard Marriott, located at 8060 Harbour View Boulevard, Suffolk, Virginia.

    FNOD Restoration Advisory Board meets June 5

    Community members can learn more about the Formerly Used Defense Site here and latest clean-up progress during the project’s quarterly Restoration Advisory Board meeting on Thursday, June 5, from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m.
  • Historic Fort Norfolk, Va.

    Historic Fort Norfolk reopens ahead of schedule

    Fort Norfolk reopened to the public today, four weeks ahead of schedule, after contractors replaced the roof on the circa-1855 magazine building here.
  • SOUTH MILLS, NORTH CAROLINA -- Paddlers come from as far away as California to participate in the annual Paddle for the Border event. This year 340 people met at the South Mills, N.C. welcome center and paddled 11 miles - and across the Virginia state line - to a picnic area for lunch.

    350 participate in 11th annual Paddle for the Border

    Paddlers came from as far away as California to participate in this year's Paddle for the Border event May 3, 2014. More than 340 people met at the South Mills, N.C. welcome center and paddled 11 miles - and across the Virginia state line - to a picnic area for lunch.

  • 350 participate in 11th annual Paddle for the Border

    As the first light of day tried to peek through gray clouds, hundreds of cars and trucks arrived and began to unload kayaks and canoes onto the banks of the historical Dismal Swamp Canal for the 11th Annual Paddle for the Border May 3.

  • District team recognized as USACE 2013 PDT of the year

    The task: build a state-of-the-art, world-class medical facility in five years. The result: the $1 billion Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, a model of modern military medical facilities that now stands where a golf course once existed on post.

  • April

    Corps studies accessibility for Cemetery

    A team from the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is traveling around and taking notes at Arlington National Cemetery to assess the accessibility of certain sections of the 150-year-old facility for its disabled visitors.

  • March

    Permit proffered for Henry County's Commonwealth Crossing Business Center

    Regulators with the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers here forwarded an initial proffered permit to Henry County Industrial Development Authority officials today, crossing an important milestone in the federal permitting process for the proposed Commonwealth Crossing Business Center in Henry County, Va.
  • On Feb. 27, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources closed the Great Dismal Swamp Canal pedestrian bridge, which crosses onto the Dismal Swamp Canal between North Carolina and Virginia, to allow their maintenance crew to repair cylinders in a hydraulic arm weld, which had broken from the bridge’s bascule.

    Great Dismal Swamp Canal pedestrian bridge reopens

    SOUTH MILLS, N.C. – The Great Dismal Swamp Canal pedestrian bridge reopened at 5 p.m., March 19, after a two-week closure to repair cylinders in a hydraulic arm weld, which had broken from the bridge’s bascule.

  • February

    Historic Fort Norfolk, Va.

    Historic Fort Norfolk to close for building repairs Feb. 24

    Fort Norfolk will close to visitors from Feb. 24 to June 6 as contractors replace the roof on a circa 1855 magazine building.
  • The Great Bridge Lock on the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal reopened today after a two-day closure to vessel traffic. Contractors, overseen by the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, removed and replaced a 72-ton set of aging lock gates as part of a service plan to increase the lifespan of the locks.

    Great Bridge Lock reopens to vessel traffic

    The Great Bridge Lock on the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal reopened this afternoon after a two-day closure to vessel traffic to replace lock gates.

  • January

    Cutter-head dredge Wilko was used to maintenance dredge the Lynnhaven Inlet Federal Navigation Channel, Virginia Beach, Va.

    Corps completes Lynnhaven Inlet dredging; shoaling removed, community beaches renourished

    The Lynnhaven Inlet Federal Navigation Channel is fully navigable, after a $2 million maintenance dredging project removed critical shoaling conditions exacerbated by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

  • Norfolk District is open for normal operations Thursday, Jan. 30. Liberal leave and telework are authorized.

    NORFOLK, Va -- The Norfolk District will be open for normal operations Thursday, Jan. 30. Liberal leave and telework are authorized. Telework should be coordinated and approved by your supervisor.

  • Norfolk District shines for Elizabeth River restoration

    A 623-square-foot sanctuary oyster reef in the Elizabeth River captured recognition for the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ environmental work yesterday.

  • October

    ARLINGTON, Va. -- Secretary of the Army John McHugh transfers the JFK Eternal Flame back to its permanent location on Oct. 29, 2013, after repair work to the site was completed. The flame underwent a full replacement of gas and airlines, received new digital controls and sensors, as well as a new burner assembly.

    Temporary Flame transferred to permanent Eternal Flame at President John F. Kennedy's gravesite

    The temporary flame that has been operating at the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy and his family since this spring was transferred to the permanent Eternal Flame in a ceremony on Oct. 29, 2013.
  • Col. Paul Brooks, Fort Lee garrison commander, presents the 2012 Directorate of Public Works Installation Support Program of the Year Award to Col. Paul B. Olsen, district commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, as Greg Williams, DPW director, looks on. (U.S. Army photo)

    Norfolk District snags installation support award

    U.S. Army Installation Management Command awarded the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with the 2012 Director of Public Works Installation Support Program of the Year. The nomination noted Norfolk District’s “team approach in delighting the ultimate customer – the soldier.”
  • Jennifer Armstrong (right), a Norfolk District project manager, shows Jo-Ellen Darcy, the assistant secretary of the Army for civil works, fossilized oyster shell stored at the district's Craney Island Dredge Material Management Area in Portsmouth, Va. The shell is destined to be used in Corps sanctuary oyster reefs in the Elizabeth River as part of the Craney Island Eastward Expansion project environmental mitigation plan. The mountainous piles of shell were obtained from the Commonwealth of Virginia through an agreement between the Norfolk District and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. (U.S. Army photo/Patrick Bloodgood)

    Going big: district tackles oysters, Lynnhaven

    Contractors for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are moving mountains of fossil oyster shell from Craney Island in Portsmouth, Va., to build 16 acres of sanctuary reefs in Elizabeth River and some of its tributaries, while the work to bring environmental restoration on the Lynnhaven River is ongoing.

  • Great Bridge Locks reopen as tidal waters recede

    The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has reopened the great bridge lock in Chesapeake, Va.