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  • Integrating NOAA’s National Water Model (NWM) into the Antecedent Precipitation Tool (APT) to Support Clean Water Act Decision-Making

    Abstract: This study examines the effectiveness of the National Water Model (NWM) in assessing streamflow normalcy under the Clean Water Act, compared to the commonly used Antecedent Precipitation Tool (APT). The APT, used by the Environmental Protection Agency, US Army Corps of Engineers, and environmental consultants, evaluates waterbody conditions based on precipitation data. However, it was found to be less accurate in predicting streamflow normalcy compared to USGS gage data. The NWM, on the other hand, showed promising results in preliminary analyses, outperforming the APT when compared to USGS gage records. This research expands on these initial findings, evaluating the NWM’s performance across the contiguous United States (CONUS) at gage locations indexed to the NHDPlus Version 2.1 stream network. The results suggest that the NWM provides adequate performance for assessing streamflow normalcy where USGS gages are not present, with accuracy ranging from 40% to 60% in the western half of CONUS and 60% to 80% in the eastern half.

  • Validation of Daily Snow Water Equivalent for a Watershed Statistics Tool

    Abstract: The Watershed Statistics tool is a tool currently being developed for the Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems Center of Expertise’s (RSGIS) Extreme Cold Weather web portal and will allow users to easily access and visualize snow water equivalent (SWE) data. The SWE data available on this tool are derived from passive microwave signals acquired by satellite through a technique known as enhanced passive microwave SWE. This analysis used available in situ SWE measurements from snow study sites in four watersheds across the United States and Canada to determine the accuracy of the data available on the tool at the watershed scale. In situ measurements of SWE were compared with the Watershed Statistics tool’s SWE data based on watershed, land cover, and elevation to determine causes if discrepancies between the satellite-based estimations on the tool and ground-based measurements. The extent to which the data available on the Watershed Statistics tool agreed with in situ measurements was highly variable. SWE data available on the Watershed Statistics tool agreed the least with ground-based measurements made at higher elevations and in areas with denser vegetation. The findings of this comparison are consistent with known limitations of the enhanced passive microwave SWE technique.

  • Temporary A1A closures, detours set for early Friday morning in Flagler Beach

    The USACE Jacksonville District Flagler County Coastal Storm Risk Management project in Flagler Beach will temporarily close and re-route traffic along and adjacent to SRS A1A beginning Friday, Aug. 30, at 6 a.m. to relocate heavy equipment from north to south of Flagler Beach Pier. Closures and detours are projected to be restored within 2-4 hours.

  • Generations on the Water

    Born in Cecil County, Baltimore District’s Jacob Tuer was destined for a life on the water. His neighborhood had a slip for the family boat, and he spent countless hours on jon boats cruising the Elk River with his father, Jeff, who operated survey vessels for the Baltimore District from 2014 to 2018. But when a container ship struck the Key Bridge, leading to its collapse and blocking a vital shipping channel, another member of this family of Maryland watermen, Jacob’s brother Matthew, found his path converging with his brother’s in an unexpected way.

  • USACE Public Affairs - Ensuring Trust & Transparency During the Key Bridge Response

    When the sun rose over the Patapsco River on March 26, it unmasked a shadow of tragedy and despair. The historic Francis Scott Key Bridge was destroyed, the M/V DALI sat immovable in the Fort McHenry Federal Channel, six lives were lost, thousands were out of work and the flow of commerce into and out of the Port of Baltimore was brought to a halt. Knowing the mission to come, it was that morning when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District Public Affairs Office would rally its extensive communications capabilities.

  • Kaskaskia River Barge Trip

    The 2024 Lower Kaskaskia Stakeholders Inc. (LKSI) will be hosting their barge trip on Friday, September 6, 2024, at the Jerry F. Costello Lock & Dam in Modoc, IL (4800 Lock and Dam Road). This trip is reserved only for LKSI members who have reserved a spot by invitation.

  • Coalshaft South Temporary Closure

    The Coalshaft South parking lot and boat ramp at Lake Shelbyville will be closed starting the evening of Monday, September 2, 2024, through approximately 5p.m. Thursday, September 5, 2024, for a fish habitat placement project. The closures apply to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. These closures are necessary to provide safety for workers and members of the public while work is being conducted.

  • Corps of Engineers hosts Lock and Dam 9 open house

    ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is hosting an open house at Lock and Dam 9 on the Mississippi River, near Lynxville, Wisconsin, on Sept. 28.

  • Army Corps shares update on Francis E. Walter Dam water release schedule

    The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Philadelphia District has 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.

  • Corps of Engineers hosts Lock and Dam 7 open house

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is hosting an open house at Lock and Dam 7 on the Mississippi River near La Crescent, Minnesota, Sept. 21.