1 Oct 2020

Comparison of Antifungal Efficiencies of Photocatalytic and Antimicrobial-Infused Coatings: Evaluation of Five Antimicrobial Coatings Using Standard Test Methods

Abstract: New buildings are being constructed and existing buildings retrofitted to be more energy efficient to meet increasingly stringent Department of Defense (DoD) energy standards. Although these standards save energy and lower operational costs, they also limit fresh air within a structure and can cause a buildup of harmful substances in indoor environments. Of particular concern are molds, which can put building occupants at risk and damage infrastructure. One possible solution to this increasing Army problem is to coat building materials with photocatalytic paints, which have the ability to both destroy microorganisms as well as the toxic byproducts they produce. This work compared two next-generation photocatalytic coatings against three more traditional antimicrobial-infused coatings for their ability to resist fungal contamination using three accelerated test conditions. Under each test condition the photocatalytic coatings were found to perform poorly compared to the antimicrobial-infused coatings. Moreover, the control coating, which contained no active antimicrobial (standard latex paint), performed as well as or better than all the antimicrobial coatings tested. This suggested that there may be little benefit to using antimicrobial coatings to inhibit fungal colonization over a standard latex paint; however, further testing is required to confirm this perception.

1 Oct 2020

Evaluation of Unmanned Aircraft System Coastal Data Collection and Horizontal Accuracy: A Case Study at Garden City Beach, South Carolina

Abstract: The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) aims to evaluate unmanned aircraft system (UAS) technology to support flood risk management applications, examining data collection and processing methods and exploring potential for coastal capabilities. Foundational evaluation of the technology is critical for understanding data application and determining best practices for data collection and processing. This study demonstrated UAS Multispectral (MS) and Red Green Blue (RGB) image efficacy for coastal monitoring using Garden City Beach, South Carolina, as a case study. Relative impacts to horizontal accuracy were evaluated under varying field scenarios (flying altitude, viewing angle, and use of onboard Real-Time Kinematic–Global Positioning System), level of commercial off-the-shelf software processing precision (default optimal versus high or low levels) and processing time, and number of ground control points applied during postprocessing (default number versus additional points). Many data sets met the minimum horizontal accuracy requirements designated by USACE Engineering Manual 2015. Data collection and processing methods highlight procedures resulting in high resolution UAS MS and RGB imagery that meets a variety of USACE project monitoring needs for site plans, beach renourishment and hurricane protection projects, project conditions, planning and feasibility studies, floodplain mapping, water quality analysis, flood control studies, emergency management, and ecosystem restoration.

30 Sep 2020

Green Peter Dam less risky after extensive studies, rehab and assessment

After years of extensive studies, a risk assessment and recent rehabilitation of spillway gates, officials re-classify Green Peter Dam, near Sweet Home, Ore., as a Low Risk dam. Recent rehabilitation of the spillway tainter gates for trunnion friction and overall reliability have improved the risk characterization. These efforts along with a detailed review of the dam’s hazards, performance and consequences, helped decrease risks from the last assessment, which rated Green Peter as a High Risk dam.

30 Sep 2020

Northwest Tennessee Regional Port Authority and Corps to sign new Project Cooperation Agreement

WHAT: The Northwest Tennessee Regional Port Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District will hold a Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) Signing Ceremony. The new PCA removes both the Northwest Tennessee Harbor Project federal limit on financial obligations and the 50-year limitation. The PCA signing is the culmination of a successful joint effort to both improve the PCA and make the great partnership between the two agencies even greater. WHEN: Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. WHERE: Northwest Tennessee Regional Port Authority, 4480 Cates Landing Road, Tiptonville, TN 38079

30 Sep 2020

Army Corps of Engineers seeks public comments on proposal to renew and revise nationwide permits

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today it is seeking comments on its proposal to renew and revise 52 nationwide permits for work in wetlands and other waters that are regulated by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. In addition, USACE is proposing to issue five new nationwide permits that pertain to authorizing seaweed mariculture activities, finfish mariculture activities, electric utility line and telecommunications activities, utility line activities for water and other substances, and water reclamation and reuse facilities.

30 Sep 2020

USACE Buffalo District awards contract for Great Sodus Bay seawall repair

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District awarded a $3.86 million contract to Michigan-based Great Lakes Dock & Materials, L.L.C, on August 21 for repairs to the east breakwater in the Great Sodus Harbor, located in Sodus Bay, Village of Sodus Point, Wayne County, NY.

30 Sep 2020

Kansas City District awards contracts totaling $17 million for repair of pump stations

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District, awarded two contracts totaling $17M to Supplied Industrial Solutions of Granite City, Illinois to complete repairs and modifications to ten pump stations along the Armourdale and Central Industrial District Levee Units. Due to diligent work by all team members, these contracts were awarded early, thus meeting a USACE goal to start and finish projects faster.

30 Sep 2020

Corps of Engineers awards $8.8 million McGregor Lake contract

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, awarded an $8.8 million contract to Dubuque Barge & Fleeting Service Company doing business as Newt Marine Service, of Dubuque, Iowa, Sept. 28, to begin constructing a habitat restoration project in the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge located near Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

29 Sep 2020

One lane of the Highway 165 bridge across Table Rock Dam to temporarily close

One lane of the Highway 165 bridge across Table Rock Dam and auxiliary spillway will be closed for a routine bridge inspection from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Oct. 8.

29 Sep 2020

Corps breaks ground on Tule River Spillway Enlargement Project

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District, along with local and federal partners, have broken ground on the Tule River Spillway Enlargement Project at Success Lake near Porterville, California. The project is a cooperative effort between USACE, the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, the California Department of Water Resources, and the Lower Tule River Irrigation District to raise the gross pool elevation of Success Lake, reducing the downstream risk of flooding while also increasing the water supply capability of the reservoir.