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  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) at the Wallisville Lake Project: A Review of Applicable Literature and Management Considerations

    Abstract: Changing hydropatterns within the Wallisville Lake Project, near the mouth of the Trinity River in Chambers and Liberty Counties, Texas, have the potential to alter baldcypress forest resiliency. Increasing water levels support saltwater barrier operations while maintaining navigation and recreational access. However, potential impacts of increased water levels on the baldcypress forests are of particular concern because these ecosystems provide unique ecological value and wildlife habitat. The maintenance, succession, and resiliency of baldcypress under various flooding, salinity, and inundation regimes remain poorly defined and pose challenges to resource managers. This report reviews available literature pertaining to salinity and inundation impacts to baldcypress forests. Specific emphasis is placed on the ecological effects of water quality and quantity on the health and persistence of baldcypress. The information gathered in this report is intended to supplement material in the Wallisville Lake Project Water Control Manual to improve management of baldcypress forest conditions and avoid negative ecological impacts. Additionally, this report provides management considerations designed to maintain or enhance baldcypress forests within the Wallisville Lake Project.

  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Lower Columbia River Adaptive Hydraulics (AdH) Model: Development, Water Surface Elevation Validation, and Sea Level Rise Analysis

    Abstract: A numerical model of the Lower Columbia River, validated to water surface elevations, has been generated using the Adaptive Hydraulics (AdH) code. The model boundary conditions include an ocean tidal boundary and five inflows: the Lewis, Cowlitz, Willamette, and Sandy Rivers, and the Columbia River at Bonneville Lock and Dam. The model, which spans approximately 146 river miles, accurately reproduces water surface elevations measured in the field at several locations along the model domain. An examination of the AdH model’s Friction Library was also conducted. The Friction Library was used in this application to estimate the effects of pile dikes. Rather than model individual piles in the model mesh, the piles were modeled using the Friction Library’s submerged vegetation material type. Through testing of this application, it was determined that the Friction Library approach, which enhances model run time and efficiency, can accurately reproduce the global effects of pile dike fields. Additionally, the validated model was used to analyze three sea level rise (SLR) scenarios, which correspond to predicted SLR at Astoria, OR, at 50, 75, and 100 years from the present (0.5 meter [m], 1.0 m, and 1.5 m, respectively).

  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment Life-Cycle Structure Response Modeling

    Abstract: Dauphin Island, a barrier island off the coast of Alabama, plays an important role in the protection of the state’s coastal natural resources. In 2011, the State of Alabama constructed a rubble mound berm across a 2 km breach in the western end of the barrier island to prevent oil from the Deep Water Horizon oil spill from migrating into the Mississippi Sound. The breach, referred to as the Katrina Cut, was caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Geological Survey (USGS) performed the Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment study to assess the current and future function of Dauphin Island and evaluate potential restoration measures. A Monte Carlo life-cycle structure response assessment of the Katrina Cut rubble mound structure was performed as part of this study by the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory. Damage, wave transmission, and reliability were computed within the context of the decadal barrier evolution analysis performed by the USGS for various storminess and relative sea level change scenarios. The presence of a beach in front of the structure plays an important role in its protection. The breaching potential for measures was evaluated.

  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Feasibility Investigation of Inductive Heating of Asphalt Repair Materials

    Abstract: Airfield pavement repairs conducted as part of rapid airfield damage recovery (RADR) activities must utilize suitable materials to reduce the need for subsequent repairs in order to maintain an operable pavement surface. For asphalt concrete pavements, hot mix asphalt (HMA) is typically used, but this requires a fairly large operation and is less practical for small repairs (e.g., small munitions damage, potholes). Instead, cold mix asphalt (CMA) is typically used for small repairs; however, its performance under aircraft loads is generally unacceptable.  The objective of this project was to investigate the feasibility of rapidly heating small-repair quantities (e.g., 5 gal buckets) of asphalt mix to hot mix temperatures in a matter of minutes. This objective was met using 15% steel aggregate by volume to produce an inductive HMA (iHMA) that could be heated from ambient to 320°F in approximately 5 min. This technology was demonstrated at full scale with a prototype field induction heater; iHMA patch repairs were subjected to simulated F-15E traffic and exhibited comparable rutting resistance to conventional HMA, which was considerably improved relative to CMA. Overall, iHMA was found to be a feasible repair material and should be considered for additional refinement and eventual implementation.

  • 20-020 Corps applies new restrictions at Lucky Peak Dam and Lake

    Boise, Idaho. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District is applying the following restrictions at Lucky Peak Dam and Lake, effective immediately:

  • Army Corps New York and New Jersey Harbor Anchorages Study takes crucial step

    A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study aimed at improving navigation and generating transportation-cost savings for deep-draft ships using New York and New Jersey Harbor terminals reached a key milestone Thursday.

  • NR 20-009: Fishing Creek Recreation Area closing for roadway repair

    SOMERSET, Ky. (April 28, 2020) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District announces Fishing Creek Recreation Area at Lake Cumberland is closing May 1 due to roadway repairs. Officials estimate the area will reopen May 20. During this time the boat ramp, day-use area, and campground will be unavailable.

  • Army awards Harris with Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt

    Harris is the 163rd member to be awarded Master Black Belt in the Army and currently one of six Corps of Engineers’ MBBs since the Army Lean Six Sigma deployment began in 2005.

  • PUBLICATION NOTIFICATION: Evaluation of Rapid-Setting Cementitious Materials and Testing Protocol for Airfield Spall Repair

    Abstract: The rapid-setting cementitious material certification program is part of a research effort to assist the U.S. Air Force Civil Engineering Center in the execution of independent testing on select commercially available proprietary products to repair partial-depth spalls in airfield concrete pavements. The purpose of this research was to determine whether the existing requirements for evaluating rapid-repair products for spall repairs were sufficient or further refinement and modifications were needed. This protocol is intended to aid airfield managers and repair teams in the selection of optimal spall repair materials by maintaining a database of approved tested products. This report presents the test methods and results of 26 cementitious rapid-setting repair products tested at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, MS, during 2013 to 2017. An evaluation of these test methods and results, along with the historic database of products tested, led to the development of an updated testing protocol for assessing a material’s suitability for airfield spall repairs. Based on the revised criteria, 10 products were identified as most compatible for partial-depth airfield pavement concrete spall repairs.

  • Sewage & Water Board to temporarily shut off water line between Florida Ave. and N. Dorgenois St. between Louisa St. and Congress St.

    The Sewage & Water Board of New Orleans will shut off the water line between Florida Ave. and N. Dorgenois St. between Louisa St. and Congress St. on Thursday, April 30, 2020 from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. while new water line tie-ins are installed. This work is related to the construction of a new drainage canal as part of the Southeast Louisiana Urban Flood Control project.