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  • Framework Development for Rapid Assessment and Economic Valuation of Feral Swine Damage to Wetland Terrain: A Pilot Study at US Army Corps of Engineers–Somerville Lake, Texas

    Abstract: The increased spread and presence of feral swine on sensitive natural resources landscapes like wetlands has become a considerable concern on lands managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. In August 2021 a pilot study was carried out at Somerville Lake, Texas, as the first step in a three-year research plan to develop an ecological-economic framework for feral swine damage assessments (FSDA) and valuation. The study sought to quantify and value soil disturbance caused by feral swine trampling, rooting, and wallowing on wetland soils. The primary objective—to develop and test a rapid FSDA prototype—was achieved and represents an important first step to creating a quick and user-friendly damage-assessment framework that also estimates the economic value of the damage observed. With continued testing and development, this rapid FSDA protocol will be of use to all who manage feral swine impacts on landscapes with wetland ecosystems, and findings from this information will be of use for scientifically informed cost-benefit analysis and management decision-making.

  • Considerations for Integrating Ecological and Hydrogeomorphic Models: Developing a Comprehensive Marsh Vegetation Model

    PURPOSE: Predictive models for salt marsh management require a systems perspective that recognizes the dynamic interactions between physical and ecological processes. It is critical to link physical process and landscape evolution models to quantify hydro-eco-geomorphic feedbacks in marsh environments. A framework that explicitly defines how to integrate these disparate models is a necessary step towards developing a comprehensive marsh model. This technical note (TN) proposes an approach to integrate existing hydrodynamic and geomorphic models with a mechanistic vegetation model into a coupled framework to better simulate salt marsh evolution.

  • Amphibious Uncrewed Ground Vehicle for Coastal Surfzone Survey

    Abstract: The capability of a commercial off-the-shelf amphibious bottom crawling robot is explored for surveying seamless topography and bathymetry across the beachface, surfzone, and very nearshore. A real-time-kinematic (RTK) antenna on a mast was added to the robotic platform, a Bayonet-350 (previously the C2i SeaOx). Data collected from the robot were compared with those collected by the Coastal Research Amphibious Buggy (CRAB) and the Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo (LARC), unique amphibious vessels capable of collecting seamless topography and bathymetry in use for decades at the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Field Research Facility (FRF). Data were compared on five different days in a range of wave conditions (Hs < 1 m in 8-m depth) resulting in a root-mean square difference of 8.7 cm and bias of 2 cm for 24 different cross-shore profile comparisons. Additionally, a repeatability test was performed to assess measurement uncertainty. The repeatability test indicated a total vertical uncertainty (TVU) of 5.8 cm, with the highest spatial error at the shoreline.

  • Jacksonville District to lead Key Biscayne CSRM Feasibility Study public presentations

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, will conduct two public meetings to present and discuss its Key Biscayne Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Feasibility Study for residents and interested parties.

  • Brookville Lake turns 50, announces celebratory event in 2025

    Brookville Lake, located in Franklin and Union counties in Brookville, Indiana celebrates its 50th Anniversary this month. The dam was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District for the primary purpose of flood risk management and became operational in January 1974.

  • ERDC program aims to geospatially map complex, rapidly changing cold regions terrain

    The U.S. Army Engineer and Research Development Center’s (ERDC) Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) recently hosted a defense resiliency program meeting in Hanover, New Hampshire, as part of a project designed to help the Army operate in the complex terrain often found in cold regions.

  • Mobile District Engineer John Bass awarded Young Engineer of the Year

    John Bass, Senior Engineering Technical lead for Civil Works at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, has been named the 2024 MACE Young Engineer of the Year, marking a significant achievement in his distinguished career.

  • Seeking Program Analyst in Alexandria, VA – Apply by 29 Jan 2024

    We are looking for a motivated team player to join our phenomenal team as a GS 9/11 target GS-12 Program Analyst (0343 series), supporting the Institute for Water Resources (IWR) Water Resources Center (WRC) in Alexandria, Virginia. This is NOT your average Program Analyst position, it is a diverse role in a unique Civil-focused organization within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that welcomes your talents, initiative, and desire to grow and learn.

  • Army Corps shares update on Indian River Inlet repairs

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District awarded a contract to Agate Construction Co., Inc. of Egg Harbor Township, N.J. for $5.3 million to repair a portion of bulkhead and to sand-tighten a portion of the south jetty at Indian River Inlet in Sussex County, DE. Work is anticipated to begin in Spring 2024.

  • Demopolis Lock Closure update

    The Demopolis Lock is closed to traffic for maintenance and repairs. A breach occurred Jan. 16, which was caused by a concrete sill failure.