• Automated Change Detection in Ground-Penetrating Radar using Machine Learning in R

    Abstract: Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a useful technique for subsurface change detection but is limited by the need for a subject matter expert to process and interpret coincident profiles. Use of a machine learning model can automate this process to reduce the need for subject matter expert processing and interpretation. Several machine learning models were investigated for the purpose of comparing coincident GPR profiles. Based on our literature review, a Siamese Twin model using a twinned convolutional network was identified as the optimum choice. Two neural networks were tested for the internal twinned model, ResNet50 and MobileNetV2, with the former historically having higher accuracy and the latter historically having faster processing time. When trained and tested on experimentally obtained GPR profiles with synthetically added changes, ResNet50 had a higher accuracy. Thanks to this higher accuracy, less computational processing was needed, leading to ResNet50 needing only 107 s to make a prediction compared to MobileNetV2 needing 223 s. Results imply that twinned models with higher historical accuracies should be investigated further. It is also recommended to test Siamese Twin models further with experimentally produced changes to verify the changed detection model’s accuracy is not merely specific to synthetically produced changes.
  • Volunteers help improve Albuquerque District lakes on National Public Lands Day

    More than 85 volunteers participated in events at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Albuquerque District lakes in observance of National Public Lands Day, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.
  • Kentucky Lock Addition Project reaches first monolith top-out milestone

    On Oct. 12, 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District, in partnership with contractor Thalle Construction, marked a major milestone in the Kentucky Lock Addition Project with the first monolith top-out of the project’s Downstream Lock Monolith contract. This accomplishment reflects significant progress in constructing the new lock, which aims to enhance navigation efficiency on the Tennessee River.
  • Blue Roof Installations for Hurricane Milton Underway in Florida

    Just one week after Hurricane Milton made landfall on the west coast of Florida and two days after the program was announced, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District has started installing temporary roofing tarps known as Blue Roofs on homes in Florida that sustained roof damage during the storm.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provides update on Cleveland, TN flood risk management project

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is pleased to announce significant progress on the flood risk management project for the city of Cleveland, Tennessee, aimed at reducing flooding risks in the South Mouse and Fillauer Branch watersheds.
  • Lower Monumental Dam closes public dam crossing October 28 through November 7

    KAHLOTUS, Wash. – Officials at Lower Monumental Lock and Dam will be closing public dam crossings October 28 through November 7 for crane removal and maintenance.
  • Corps of Engineers hosting Lake Traverse, Mud Lake water control plan update

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is hosting public meetings to discuss its draft Lake Traverse and Mud Lake water control plan update during two meetings in Wheaton, Minnesota, and Wahpeton, North Dakota, Nov. 18-19.
  • Corps of Engineers to temporarily close dam crest access road at Woodcock Creek Lake

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District will temporarily close the dam crest-access road at Woodcock Creek Lake for maintenance and improvement work.
  • USACE ‘Blue Roof’ installs begin in Sarasota at record pace

    SARASOTA, Fla. (Oct. 17, 2024) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Operation Blue Roof Program contractors install first blue roof at a record-setting pace, one-week post-storm and one day after the issuance of the notice to proceed, in the wake of the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
  • Emergency Permitting Procedures in Effect for Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District received approval to implement emergency permitting procedures for Hurricanes Helene and Milton which recently impacted the state of Florida.