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  • USACE Norfolk District, City of Portsmouth reschedule adulticide aerial mosquito spraying for Oct 6

    The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, will conduct joint aerial adulticide mosquito spraying on Monday, Oct. 6, over federal property on Craney Island, adjacent city property, and the Churchland area of Portsmouth.

  • Modeling Thermocouple Placement in a CUBI Test Fixture

    Abstract: This report describes an effort to model the response of temperature thermocouples mounted on a multisurface CUBI test fixture as a means to document potential thermocouple error sources. (CUBI is a euphemistic term that describes an assembly of contiguous cubic or rectangular solids.) The thermal solver within the commercially available Multi-Service Electro-Optical Signature (MuSES) Infrared (IR) was employed for modeling and analysis. Modeling was divided between the development of models to study individual temperature sensors and the incorporation of many such sensors into a full-up CUBI apparatus. The MuSES model of the simple plate in replicating analytic results to a high degree of accuracy, thus validating the MuSES solver. Additionally, MuSES modeled a CUBI fixture as a 2D shell in an outdoor environment. This model was run with and without attached sensors. The difference in temperature of a particular sensor and of the underlying CUBI surface with the sensor absent provided a prediction of the measurement artifact introduced by that sensor.

  • Innovative Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx) Assessment Training Tools

    Abstract: In an effort to develop active and engaging online training experiences that effectively simulate hands-on lessons and provide an experience equivalent to on-site visits, researchers at the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) developed a series of immersive web-based training tools that support virtual learning. This report discusses the role of active learning, the need for advanced training tools, and describes the CERL effort to develop training tools. It also provides feedback on the experiences and effectiveness of various platforms that were used to develop these tools.

  • Caribbean District awards construction contract for Caño Martín Peña

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Caribbean District awarded a $57.4 million contract to Novel Construction LLC for the dredging of the first portion of the Caño Martín Peña Ecosystem Restoration Project, from the San Jose Lagoon to Barbosa Bridge. At its completion, the Caño Martín Peña Ecosystem Restoration Project will re-establish the tidal connection between the San Jose Lagoon and the San Juan Bay with the goal to improve overall conditions for benthic habitat, mangrove communities and open water habitat.

  • USACE continues mission-essential operations during lapse in appropriations

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District is announcing that all essential services will continue during the lapse in Fiscal Year 2026 funding and all navigation facility operations will follow their existing schedules.

  • Field Study of Nontraditional Airfield Pavements

    Abstract: Airfield pavements in contingency environments might not meet current design standards or might have deteriorated significantly. This study developed performance models for operating C-17 and C-130 aircraft on austere pavements, termed nontraditional airfield pavements. Field evaluations were conducted at six exemplar pavement sections to determine their structural capacity and remaining service life. The structural capacity of these pavement sections was first evaluated using nondestructive and semi-destructive test methods. The evaluations were performed using a single-wheel aircraft-loading simulator operated at two tire inflation pressures while maintaining total aircraft load. Field performance data included sur-face pavement deformation and structural deterioration. Forensic test pits were excavated to document the pavement structural design, material characteristics, and potential failure mechanism. This study found that an expedient contingency operation (100 passes or fewer) of a C-17 could be satisfactorily accomplished, and the service life could be potentially greater for a C-130. Reducing the tire inflation pressure did not always influence the pavements’ performance. The lightweight deflectometer showed potential as a portable pavement-monitoring tool. ERDC developed an improved performance-prediction technique for nontraditional airfield pavements and now propose further implementation to predict service life of other air-field pavement types.

  • Public comment sought on draft Smoky Hill River ecosystem restoration feasibility study

    The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has prepared a draft Public Notice, along with a draft Feasibility Report and a draft Finding of No Significant Impact for the Smoky Hill River Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study and Integrated Environmental Assessment and is seeking public input on these documents. The Smoky Hill River is an integral part of the City of Salina's history - from power, navigation, local commerce, recreation and travel, the river has had a major impact on the city. However, due to a growing population and increased infrastructure development, the river has been impacted.

  • UPDATE: USACE Seattle District critical infrastructures open during government shutdown

    Critical activities, including maintaining flood control infrastructure, operating hydroelectric dams, and ensuring safe vessel navigation, will continue without interruption. All dams and locks will operate normally, ensuring these vital systems remain safe and stable.

  • Regulatory Transformation Workshop postponed

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District Regulatory Division will postpone the Regulatory Transformation workshop, initially scheduled for October 16, 2025.

  • US Army Water Reuse: 2023 Survey of Wastewater Reuse at US Army Installations

    Abstract: The US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USACE ERDC-CERL), partnered with the US Army Material Command (HQAMC G4) to collect information on water use and wastewater to understand water re-use at the installation level by distributing a water reuse questionnaire. From May to September 2023, ERDC-CERL compiled the 98 responses received from all Army installations and established the following baseline data for water reuse: the US Army produces 35.9 million gallons per day (MGD) of effluent, 30.4 MGD of which receives a minimum of secondary treatment making it potentially eligible for reuse, however the US Army currently only reuses 4.51 MGD. Current reuse practices save the Army up-wards of $751,849 every month in potable water cost offsets; however, the Army could potentially save approximately $4.3 million every month if they expanded their water reuse to its current full capacity (including re-use of effluent receiving secondary or tertiary treatment). This project will be foundational for continual studies of water reuse in the Army. It will aid in creating installation energy and water plans (IEWPs), in developing a proposed geospatial dashboard tool, and in further water reuse projects with other Department of Defense departments.