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  • Managing the Cumberland River: How the Corps works to reduce flood risk

    When heavy rain falls across Tennessee and Kentucky, many people wonder: What is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers doing to manage the water? The answer is a complex, coordinated effort involving monitoring, real-time decision-making, and strategic dam operations designed to reduce flood risks along the Cumberland River system. While flood control is one of the Corps’ primary missions, the reality is that nature does not always cooperate. The USACE Nashville District’s highly trained engineers, dam operators, and other water management professionals carefully balance the flow of water through the system—holding back water when possible and releasing it in a controlled manner to minimize damage downstream.

  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issues scoping letter for Shingle Creek Feasibility Study

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 31, 2025) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District is beginning preparation of a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document for the Shingle Creek and Kissimmee River Flood Resiliency Study, referred to hereafter as the Shingle Creek Feasibility Study, in partnership with our non-Federal sponsor, Osceola County, Florida. The project was authorized by section 201(a)(5) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, Public Law 116-260, for flood risk management and section 8201(b)(2) of the Water resources Development Act of 2022, Public Law 117-263

  • Effects of Thermal Modification on the Flexure Properties, Fracture Energy, and Hardness of Western Hemlock

    Abstract: This study investigates the effect of thermal modification on the flexural properties, transverse fracture energy, and hardness of western hemlock. Flexure tests on specimens featuring longitudinal and transverse grains showed that thermal modification at 167 °C leads to less statistical variability compared to unmodified samples. Additionally, thermal modification leads to a decrease in the transverse flexural strength. On the other hand, the fracture and Janka hardness tests revealed a more pronounced brittleness of the thermally modified samples. The total mode I fracture energy of modified single-edge notch bending samples was about 47% lower for radial–longitudinal systems and 60% lower for tangential–longitudinal systems. Similarly, the average Janka hardness in the tangential and transverse planes was 8.5% and 9.4% lower in the modified specimens, respectively. The results presented in this work show that thermal modification can have a significant effect on the fracturing behavior of west-ern hemlock and its energy dissipation capabilities. For design, this must be taken into serious consideration as these properties significantly influence the damage tolerance of this wood in the presence of stress concentrations such as those induced in bolted joints and cut outs. Fracture energy and hardness are also strongly correlated to ballistic performance.

  • USACE Relief Wells for Dams and Levees: History and Current Practice

    Abstract: The purpose of this study was to review relief well practices within the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). A literature review was performed on the history and use of relief wells relief and the state of practice within the USACE. As part of this study, a survey about relief well use and maintenance practice was prepared and distributed to selected Districts containing a large number of relief wells to determine their standard operating procedures for using those wells and to learn the history of their use. Responses obtained from these Districts were tabulated and classified according to the subject categories requested. Research needs and tools were requested as part of the survey, and a large portion of the responses indicated that there is an important need for research into biofouling prevention and remediation. Finally, a laboratory experiment was performed on several commercial-off-the-shelf sensors to measure effluent flow remotely. The results of the experiment showed that remote sensing of relief well flow is viable. It was found that pore pressures could be used to measure the relief well flows over a wide range of flow rates and with an error of 10 percent or less on average. Ultrasonic sensors also performed well during testing, with an average error of 10 percent or less.

  • ERDC leads demonstration of hydrogen fueled equipment at National Guard site in Illinois

    The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC) Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) is advancing energy resiliency and reliability by using hydrogen as a sustainable, renewable energy source. ERDC-CERL is spearheading research and development efforts to integrate hydrogen energy solutions into military operations, aiming to provide clean backup energy systems that enhance the energy independence of Department of Defense (DoD) installations.

  • Army Corps of Engineers with GLRI funding building critical fish passage in Niagara River

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, in a cross-agency partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is continuing to build on the success of a project to help one of the Niagara River and Lake Erie’s most important fish thrive despite decades of manmade impacts to the ecosystem. With funding from the EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, USACE is beginning work to build a 700-foot-long fish passage at the City of Buffalo’s Freedom Park to help emerald shiners overcome the velocity of the Niagara River and move upstream after spawning, providing a critical food source for larger fish and wildlife, offering sustenance for the local community, and contributing to goals for delisting the Niagara River as a Great Lakes Area of Concern (AOC).

  • USACE continues wildfire debris removal efforts in Altadena, Pacific Palisades

    On Jan. 7, two large wildfires swept through Altadena and Pacific Palisades, burning more than 50,000 acres and destroying more than 16,000 structures — becoming one of the most destructive wildfires in California history.

  • New England District Construction Team travels overseas to aid Sister District

    When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District (NAU), put out a call for assistance to administrate construction projects due to an employee shortage last fall, five members of the New England District’s (NAE) Construction Division volunteered to assist. The deployments resulted in much needed manpower for NAU and numerous benefits for NAE’s construction team members. Some of these benefits included the unique experience international travel in direct support of the warfighter and NATO, as well as working closely with foreign counterparts throughout Europe. This deployment served as a great learning and networking experience that will stay with them for the rest of their careers.

  • Army senior leader tours Whittier Narrows, Prado dams

    An Army senior leader joined a group of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leaders and subject-matter experts to tour two dams March 4 in USACE Los Angeles District’s area of operations.

  • Army Civil Works senior leader gets updates on LA River Ecosystem Restoration Project

    Robyn Colosimo, senior official performing the duties of the assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, visited three reaches of the Los Angeles River Feb. 27 to receive a close-up look at the LA River Ecosystem Restoration Project.