• Corps of Engineers performs Charlevoix Superfund Site demolitions

    Excavation and demolition work at the Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site in Charlevoix, Michigan is underway to deconstruct structures at three sites and remove contaminated soil from 13 areas, under project management by the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Detroit District.
  • Savannah District Secures Emergency Funds for Hurricane Helene Cleanup at Thurmond Lake

    SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Savannah District, was informed by the Federal Highway Administration that the requested allocation of Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) has been approved and distribution of funds will be provided to support critical transportation infrastructure repairs and debris removal efforts at J. Strom Thurmond Lake for damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
  • User Guidelines on Catchment Post-Wildfire Hydrological Modeling

    Abstract: Wildfires significantly alter watershed hydrology by increasing runoff due to reduced infiltration from soil-water repellency. To predict long-term wildfire impacts, a coupled framework was developed to simulate postfire changes in soil hydraulic properties, infiltration, and hydrological response. This framework integrates Wildfire-Induced Soil Hydraulic (WISH) Factors with a Soil-Moisture Threshold (SMT) formulation in the Green and Ampt infiltration model, representing reduced infiltration due to water repellency. Postfire inputs, including burn severity, soil type, and land use, are formatted for the Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA) model to ensure realistic hydrological simulations. The approach was applied to the 41.7 km² Upper Arroyo Seco watershed in northeast Los Angeles County, where 95% of the area was burned during the August 2009 Station Fire. Hydrological simulations effectively captured increased water repellency and excess runoff following postfire rainfall, demonstrating the model’s ability to represent wildfire-induced watershed changes and improve postfire hydrological assessments.
  • Enhanced Route Reconnaissance—Generation 1

    Abstract: The movement of soldiers and materiel across battlespace is critical to a successful military operation. Knowledge of the road network condition ensures safe and successful vehicle maneuver. This research focused on remote assessment of poor-quality paved road networks for vehicle maneuver using data products derived from three-dimensional point clouds. Point clouds were generated from lidar sensors deployed from ground and airborne platforms to enable engineering analysis of the pavement surface. A series of algorithms developed to extract roughness, grade, radius of curvature, and width along the road network ensured storage of information for graphical display. A vehicle speed lookup table was calculated by conducting computer simulations using the NATO Reference Mobility Model over a range of road parameters. The lookup table enabled determination of the maximum allowable speed for a given vehicle type associated with the extracted road parameters. A graphical interface, developed for displaying the percentage speed reduction as either red, amber, or green squares along the road network, provided visual assessments of road condition. This report summarizes developing a software suite to calculate and visualize speed reduction over a road network as a function of route geometry, condition, and vehicle type. The interface developed can aid in critical logistical decisions that influence the success of military maneuver operations.
  • Inside the Mission of the Buffalo District Regulatory Branch

    From Lake Erie to the wetlands of upstate New York, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District’s Regulatory Branch is playing a crucial role in preserving the nation’s aquatic resources — all while balancing the needs of progress and development. At its core, the Regulatory Branch’s mission is about balance, “We aim to serve the public by balancing the protection and reasonable use of aquatic resources for the nation,” said Shaina Souder, a biologist with the Buffalo District’s Regulatory Branch.
  • A Legacy that Floats: Savannah District Dedicates New Survey Vessels Honoring Fallen Georgia Soldiers

    SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District officially welcomed three new hydrographic survey vessels to its fleet, during a dedication ceremony, June 12, 2025, at the District’s Engineers Depot in Savannah, Georgia.
  • A Legacy that Floats: Savannah District Dedicates New Survey Vessels Honoring Fallen Georgia Soldiers

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District officially welcomed three new hydrographic survey vessels to its fleet, during a dedication ceremony, June 12, 2025, at the District’s Engineers Depot in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Register for Thurmond Lake Youth Fishing Day

    SAVANNAH, Ga. – Registration is now open for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “Take Kids Fishing Day” that takes place Saturday, June 21, 2025, on J. Storm Thurmond Lake at Modoc Boat Ramp located Gilchrist Ferry Road, Modoc, South Carolina.
  • Evaluation of Commercial Cementitious Rapid-Setting Materials and Testing Protocol for Repairing Airfield Spalls: Material Testing Results for 2023 and 2024

    Abstract: The Pavement Repair Material Certification Program assists the US Air Force Civil Engineer Center by executing independent testing on select proprietary commercial cementitious products used to repair partial-depth spalls in airfield concrete pavements. Selecting cementitious rapid-setting repair products can be difficult for military personnel because of the high number of commercially available products. Too often, product manufacturers highlight product strengths while masking undesirable properties. The purpose of this research was to evaluate selected commercially manufactured cementitious products through a series of laboratory testing protocols. These protocols were established to aid airfield managers and repair teams in selecting optimal airfield pavement spall repair materials by maintaining a database of permitted products. Under the program, approximately four to six repair products are tested annually. This report presents the laboratory test methods and results for cementitious rapid-setting repair products tested at the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center in 2023 and 2024. These test methods and results were evaluated for their ability to assess a material’s suitability for airfield spall repairs. No products were identified as compatible with partial-depth airfield pavement concrete spall repairs.
  • MKARNS Nav Notice No. SWL 25-44 Lock 5 Tow Haulage Out of Service

    The tow haulage equipment at Colonel Charles D. Maynard Lock (No. 5) NM 86.3 is currently out of service. Double cut tows will have to be locked the conventional way (without the use of tow haulage). A follow up notice will be distributed when the tow haulage equipment is back in service.