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  • Coastal Hazards System–South Atlantic (CHS-SA)

    Abstract: The US Army Corps of Engineers completed the South Atlantic Coastal Study (SACS) to quantify storm surge and wave hazards, allowing for the expansion of the Coastal Hazards System (CHS) to the South Atlantic Division (SAD) domain. The goal of CHS-SACS was to quantify storm hazards for present conditions and future sea level rise scenarios to reduce flooding risk and increase resiliency in coastal environments. CHS-SACS was completed for three regions within the SAD domain, and this report focuses on the South Atlantic (CHS-SA). This study applied the CHS’ Probabilistic Framework with Joint Probability Method Augmented by Metamodeling Prediction (JPM-AMP) to perform a probabilistic coastal hazard analysis (PCHA) of tropical cyclone (TC) and extratropical cyclone (XC) responses, leveraging new atmospheric and hydrodynamic numerical model simulations of synthetic TCs and historical XCs. This report documents the CHS probabilistic framework to perform the PCHA for CHS-SA by executing the JPM-AMP, including storm climate characterization, storm sampling, storm recurrence rate estimation, marginal distributions, correlation and dependence structures of TC atmospheric-forcing parameters, development of augmented storm suites, and assignment of discrete storm weights to the synthetic TCs. Coastal hazards were estimated for annual exceedance frequencies over the range of 10 yr−1 to 10−4 yr−1.

  • New Metrics for Managing Waterways: Vessel Encroachment Volume for Selected South Atlantic Division Ports

    Abstract: The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) uses two metrics to evaluate maintenance for coastal navigation projects: cargo tonnage at the associated port and the controlling depth in the channel relative to the authorized channel depth. These are calculated through normal business practices and describe the relative importance (tonnage) of the port and the operating condition (controlling depth) of the channel. They are incorporated into a risk-based decision framework that directs funds to locations where channel conditions have deteriorated. Using Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel-position data, USACE is pioneering the computation of metrics related to the space between the hull of transiting vessels and the waterway bed for channels, the underkeel clearance. This and related metrics describe how waterway users take advantage of the service provided directly by USACE (maintained channel depth). This study compares the underkeel clearance metrics among 13 ports in the South Atlantic Division over a span of 3 years by combining marine vessel AIS data, tidal predictions, channel bathymetric surveys, and vessel sailing draft. Comparing these values across ports allows these metrics to be integrated into the decision framework that drives dredge funding allocations.v

  • Helical Anchor Installation with the High Mobility Engineer Excavator: Proof-of-Concept Testing

    Abstract: Proof-of-concept testing was conducted to determine the viability of helical anchor installation using the US Army’s High Mobility Engineer Excavator (HMEE). To facilitate the proof-of-concept test, a new hydraulic hose kit was designed that connects the Bridge Supplemental Set (BSS) drive motor to the HMEE’s auxiliary hydraulic system. Additionally, a steel mount was fabricated that provided means to attach the BSS drive motor to the boom of the HMEE. Testing indicated the HMEE can successfully install the BSS anchors with the required hardware, but the vehicle’s large footprint will likely increase the installation time compared to previous methods. Several improvements to the hydraulic hose kit design were identified through the experiment, and guidance was created to facilitate efficient HMEE usage in the future. Once a permanent solution is developed to mount the BSS drive motor to the HMEE, the capabilities of the BSS will be greatly expanded by allowing each Multi-Role Bridge Company to install anchors using multiple vehicle types.

  • Mobile District Drawdown at West Point Lake and Road Traffic Restricted

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mobile District, will conduct maintenance and painting of spillway gates 5 and 6 at West Point Dam. Starting Monday, September 16, 2024, the road atop West Point Dam will be closed to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. This closure is necessary to ensure public safety and the safety of contractors working on the spillway gates.

  • Walla Walla District’s Dr. Christopher Peery selected for ERDC University

    Dr. Christopher Peery, a Senior Fish Biologist with the USACE Walla Walla District, has been chosen as a participant for the 2024 session of the Engineer Research and Development Center University (ERDC-U).

  • Evaluation of the Bridge Supplement Set overhead cable system with uneven bank heights

    Abstract: A numerical model was developed to analyze the effects of environmental conditions and construction layout on the structural capacity of the modernized Bridge Supplemental Set (BSS). Environmental variables included even and uneven bank heights, soil strength, river width, and river flow rate conditions. Construction variables included tower placement, tower guy line orientation, and catenary length. Loading conditions, the drag force of the bridge due to river current, were conservatively applied with the assumption of uniform flow rate across the entire river width to account for the wide range of operating environments in which the BSS may potentially be used. Analysis of system performance informed several BSS construction optimizations to maximize system capabilities over the wide range of conditions considered. Catenary length was found to have the greatest influence on system performance, indicating that a small increase in catenary length would greatly reduce the loading on the critical components of the BSS, thus increasing the capacity and safety of the system. A stand-alone computer program was developed to quickly provide BSS construction guidance for a large variety of operating conditions, as the number of charts and figures required to account for most scenarios numbers in the thousands.

  • Public Input Sought on Forestry Rehabilitation Project in Mississippi River Pool 18

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program partners are in the early stages of planning for a habitat rehabilitation project on the Mississippi River in Pool 18 and are seeking public input through Oct. 9.

  • New mental health initiative launches at William H. Harsha Lake

    A new mental health initiative designed to provide critical resources to visitors launched at U.S.

  • Corps of Engineers celebrates the completion of its Drayton Dam project

    ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, will celebrate the completion of its Drayton Dam Fish Passage Mitigation Project with a dedication ceremony at 1 p.m., Sept. 25, at the site of the dam near Drayton, North Dakota.

  • Army Corps announces fall drawdown elevation targets for Lake Pend Oreille

    USACE announces Lake Pend Oreille elevation targets for the upcoming fall 2024 drawdown, and plans to host a public meeting Oct. 7, 2024, to discuss include dam operations and the latest status of the Albeni Falls Dam Spillway Gate repair and replacement project.