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  • The Use of Rhodamine Water Tracer (RWT) Dye to Improve Submersed Herbicide Applications

    Abstract: The inert fluorescent dye rhodamine water tracer (RWT) has been widely used in freshwater aquatic systems for many years to quantify bulk water exchange patterns and as a tracer for submersed herbicide movement. The dye is well-suited for tracer work due to its high solubility and detectability in water (<0.01 μg/L). Federal guidelines limit the aqueous concentration 0f RWT to <10 μg/L at drinking water intakes. The dye has proven to be harmless to aquatic organisms and humans in low concentrations and is relatively inexpensive. Since 1991, RWT has been used by Engineer Re-search and Development Center (ERDC) researchers to simulate aqueous herbicide applications in large, hydrodynamic systems in over 12 states. Such simulations have improved the effectiveness of herbicide treatments by linking in situ water exchange processes with appropriate herbicide selection and application rates. Understanding these parameters can be critical for mitigating herbicide exposure in environmentally sensitive settings and around potable water and irrigation intakes. A data-based estimate of water exchange patterns usually results in successful submersed herbicide applications—both with target-plant efficacy and limited injury to nontarget vegetation. Using RWT dye to simulate submersed herbicide applications is an important predictive and real-time tool in both experimental and operational settings.

  • NSWC Crane and USACE breaks ground on Missile Technology Evaluation Facility and Strategic Systems Engineering Facility

    Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, U.S. Navy Research, Development, Testing and Engineering office and the construction contractor participated in the ceremonial breaking of ground for an $8.38 million Missile Technology Evaluation Facility, March 21, 2024 in Crane, Indiana.

  • Improving quality of life at Whiteman Air Force Base

    Everyone knows home is where the heart is. The Whiteman Air Force Base Resident Office with the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers understands this. That’s why they put their heart into making sure the Airmen at Whiteman Air Force Base have the best home possible. Recently, the team finished work on Discovery Hall, now the most updated dorm on base. This dorm was a team effort between USACE and the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base.

  • Lower Monumental Dam closes public dam crossing April 16 through 18

    KAHLOTUS, Wash. – Officials at Lower Monumental Lock and Dam will be closing public dam crossings April 16 through 18 to perform maintenance.

  • USACE, Chicago Harbor Lock Reopens for the 2024 Season After Winter Construction

    The Chicago Harbor Lock, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), is open for vessel traffic as of April 15, marking the end of this phase of construction. The reinforced lock floor was completed last week and included replacing tile from the lock floor using reinforced concrete with micropiles along with dredging excess material. This was done by using dive teams and maintaining a 24/7 construction operation schedule.

  • Road NF-1993 across Cougar Dam closed this summer for construction

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will close both lanes of Road NF-1993 across Cougar Dam, Apr. 15 to Sept. 30.

  • Development and Testing of the Sediment Distribution Pipe (SDP): A Pragmatic Tool for Wetland Nourishment

    Abstract: Standard dredging operations during thin layer placement (TLP) projects are labor intensive as crews are necessary to periodically move the outfall location, which can have lasting adverse effects on the marsh surface. In an effort to increase efficiency during TLP, a novel Sediment Distribution Pipe (SDP) system was investigated. This system offers multiple discharge points along the pipeline to increase the sediment distribution while reducing pipeline movements. An SDP Modeling Application (SDPMA) was developed to assist in the design of SDP field applications by quickly assessing the pressure and velocity inside the discharge pipe and approximating the slurry throw distances. An SDP field proof of concept was performed during a two-phase TLP on Sturgeon Island, New Jersey, in 2020. The SDPMA was shown to be an accurate method of predicting performance of the SDP. The SDP was successful at distributing dredge material across the placement site; however, further research is warranted to better quantify performance metrics.

  • Uncrewed Survey-Vessel Conversion

    Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the uses of an uncrewed survey vessel to maintain mission readiness of all federal navigation channels and ports. Developing an uncrewed survey vessel capable of collecting data in a riverine environment may increase the efficiency and resiliency of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) missions and USACE districts to conduct surveys during post natural disasters and pandemics. This document describes the installation, enhancement, and modification of the commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) system, the Sea Machines SM300, on a US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) survey vessel to create a semiautonomous survey capability.

  • MKARNS Nav Notice No. SWL 24-40 Lock 6 Intermittent Delays

    Mariners may experience intermittent delays at David D. Terry Lock (No. 6) NM 108.1 beginning April 16 through April 20, 2024, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. daily.

  • USACE’s underwater response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse

    In the Key Bridge Response, USACE is working in a joint effort with the U.S. Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV) to oversee the commercial dive companies performing the work underwater.