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  • Youth deer hunt announced for Millwood Lake

    ASHDOWN, Ark. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office, is accepting applications for a youth deer hunt at Millwood Lake on Nov. 2-3, 2024.

  • USACE announces major construction work at Panther Bay and Lakeview Park

    MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District will start major roadwork at Panther Bay and Lakeview Park recreation areas on Sept. 16, 2024. The project involves significant repaving and will continue through November, causing several full and partial closures because of heavy equipment and the scope of work.

  • Terrestrial Vision-Based Localization Using Synthetic Horizons

    Abstract: Vision-based localization could improve navigation and routing solutions in GPS-denied environments. In this study, data from a Carnegie Robotics MultiSense S7 stereo camera were matched to a synthetic horizon derived from foundation sources using novel two-dimensional correlation techniques. Testing was conducted at multiple observation locations over known ground control points (GCPs) at the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Geospatial Research Laboratory (GRL), Corbin Research Facility. Testing was conducted at several different observational azimuths for these locations to account for the many possible viewing angles in a scene. Multiple observational azimuths were also tested together to see how the amount of viewing angles affected results. These initial tests were conducted to help future efforts testing the S7 camera under more realistic conditions, in different environments, and while expanding the collection and processing methodologies to additional sensor systems.

  • Modifications to an Amphibious Unoccupied Ground Vehicle (AUGV) for Survey Operations

    Abstract: Developing unoccupied systems capable of collecting data in the very shallow water (<10 m) and surfzone (typically <3 m) is a challenging task for many reasons including waves, sediment, bubbles, and turbulent velocities. This document focuses on describing some of the additions, enhancements, and refinements to a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) system, the SeaOx, available from Bayonet Ocean Vehicles (previously C2i). In addition, practical experience in using this platform to collect data in the surfzone is documented.

  • Bathymetric Inversion from Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Video on Inland Waters, Port Huron, Michigan

    Abstract: This Coastal and Hydraulics Engineering Technical Note (CHETN) presents a proof of concept for the use of the cBathy algorithm to estimate bathymetry in an inland water environment. The document summarizes the methods used in collecting and analyzing stationary UAS (unmanned aircraft system) video taken at the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse Park in Port Huron, Michigan, a shoreline overseen by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Detroit District (LRE). The results presented in this report show that the cBathy algorithm has the potential to measure bathymetry in areas of inland water with sufficient fetch to generate wind swell, similar to how cBathy has been used in open-coast nearshore environments.

  • Evaluating Topographic Reconstruction Accuracy of Planet Lab’s Stereo Satellite Imagery

    Abstract: The goal of this Coastal and Hydraulics Engineering Technical Note (CHETN) is to document initial results to derive topography on the beachface in the northern Outer Banks, North Carolina, utilizing Planet Labs’ SkySat stereo panchromatic imagery processed in Agisoft Metashape. This technical note will provide an initial evaluation into whether Planet Lab’s SkySat imagery is a suitable image source for satellite Structure from Motion (SfM) algorithms as well as whether these data should be explored as a federal beach project monitoring tool. Depending on required accuracy, these data have the potential to aid coastal scientists, managers, and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) engineers in understanding the now-state of their coastlines and employ cost-effective adaptive management techniques.

  • 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.