• 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.
  • District presents 2023 annual report at Pecos River Commission meeting

    The Albuquerque District presented the Pecos River Basin report for 2023 at the annual meeting of the Pecos River Commission, April 9, 2024.
  • Memphis District adds third dry dock to river maintenance fleet, christens in honor of former employee, U.S. Army veteran

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Memphis District gathered at Ensley Engineer Yard (EEY) April 2 to christen its newest dry dock in honor of Billy Manley, a former employee who served as yards and docks chief for five years until his passing in 2020. Ensley Engineer Yard professionals use dry dock structures approximately 310 days a year to repair and maintain marine vessels belonging to the Memphis District, its sister districts, and partner agencies.
  • ERDC takes award-winning robotics teams to the FIRST World Championships

    VICKSBURG, Miss. – Over two decades ago, the U.S. Army Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) created a robotics team that was formed with a mission to provide educational experiences for young people by promoting hands-on learning in the community. Today, Team 456 Siege Robotics is a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team that is made up of about eighteen students from across central Mississippi.
  • Col. Robert Newbauer: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin Fort Peck Flow Test

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct a flow test at Fort Peck starting no sooner than April 26, 2024, with a scheduled completion date of no later than September 1, 2024.