• Evaluation of the Version 1 Advanced Tactical Awareness Kit–Expeditionary Radar (ATAK-ER V1) for Accuracy and Reliability in Surf-Zone Characterization in a Range of Environmental Conditions

    Abstract: This Coastal and Hydraulics Engineering Technical Note (CHETN) presents the evaluation of a rapidly deployable radar and associated software for characterizing surf-zone waves, currents, and bathymetries at the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL), Field Research Facility (FRF), in Duck, North Carolina. This project was conducted at the request of the US Marine Corps (USMC) Warfighting Laboratory. The Version 1 Advanced Tactical Awareness Kit–Radar Expeditionary (ATAK-ER V1) system was deployed 15 times between July and August 2023 to observe a range of wave, water level, and wind conditions that could each affect radar processing. Products from the system were then compared to the FRF’s continuously operating in situ instruments and monthly bathymetric surveys to quantify the accuracy and reliability of the output. A number of issues with the unit are identified, including potential error sources contributing to inaccuracies, but the black-box nature of the commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) unit prevents a confident understanding of why wave heights are underpredicted (by 65% on average), why bathymetries consistently have root-mean-square errors (RMSE) over 1 m with progressively greater errors with distance offshore, or why some collections are unable to generate all of the advertised products. This Version 1 COTS unit is not recommended for operational use at this time.
  • Preserving History: ERDC research aims to revive Nation's oldest West Coast Naval cemetery

    For many, cemeteries are a place of remembrance, honor and peace. On top of that, for a group of researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), cemeteries also hold a significant amount of respect and history.
  • Huntsville Center awards $2.35 billion multiple award task order contract supporting Defense Health Agency

    Contract supports Defense Health Agency (DHA) medical facilities and campuses throughout the United States and its territories as well as numerous DHA facilities in foreign locations worldwide.
  • Army Corps shares update on Francis E. Walter Dam water release schedule

    The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Philadelphia District updated the 2024 Francis E. Walter Dam recreation plan. The Army Corps updated the plan, which states whitewater and fisheries releases will be scheduled if enough water storage is accumulated in the reservoir. Currently, there is enough water storage to schedule the third increment of the plan.
  • Leading the charge against the June 2024 Missouri River floods

    When the Missouri River and its tributaries rose above flood stage in late June, the damaging flood waters required an aggressive response and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District led the charge of that response.
  • Jacksonville District, City of Daytona Beach to host workshops to discuss flood risk management feasibility study

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, invites the public to attend either or both of two presentation and discussion workshops for the City of Daytona Beach Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study.
  • Gathright Dam pulse release set for Wednesday

    NORFOLK – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District will conduct a pulse release at Gathright Dam, near Covington, Va., Wednesday, July 17 beginning at approximately 6 a.m.
  • Connor Foster is continuing his journey and career where it all began

    After spending a summer as a student intern with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District in 2023, Connor Foster was hooked and decided to take his career further and join the Buffalo District as a full-time employee. Connor, a recent graduate from Cleveland State University, spoke more about his experience as an intern and why he decided to come back and join the USACE team.
  • Davenport, Iowa, resident earns national Corps of Engineers award

    ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters in Washington, D.C., selected Mark Cornish of Davenport, Iowa, as the recipient of its 2023 Civil Works Planning Excellence Award for his work on the Lock and Dam 22 Fish Passage project.
  • Walla Walla District Welcomes New Commander

    The Walla Walla District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) held a change of command ceremony where Lt. Col. ShaiLin KingSlack relinquished command to Lt. Col. Katie Werback at the Marcus Whitman Hotel in Walla Walla, July 12.