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  • Analysis of Vegetation as Terrain: The “How” and “Why” of US Army Doctrine

    Abstract: There is a significant knowledge gap for Army doctrine concerning civilian research scientists. A relatively small number of soldiers make the transition from warfighter to research and development at the basic and applied levels. That number is even less when considering former warfighters that have applied Army doctrine in an operational or advanced Army schooling environment. This special report is intended to focus solely on the Army’s current capabilities and doctrinally defined processes to analyze vegetation as an essential component of the natural terrain. The objective of this report is to review current Army doctrine related to analysis of the vegetated terrain; to explore currently leveraged tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs); and identify valuable geospatial resources as they apply to military planning. For ease to readers unfamiliar with US Army doctrine, much of the referenced material is directly presented herein as tables and figures throughout the document and appendices (e.g., data sources, product examples, and glossary).

  • Waterway Engineering Applications of Automatic Identification System Data along the Mississippi River and at Lock Structures

    Abstract: The USACE, St. Louis District, is responsible for maintaining navigation channels along with multiple lock and dam structures on the Mississippi River, a vital inland waterway that carries millions of tons of commodities every year. Understanding commercial vessel traffic patterns is fundamental to informing decisions about construction projects and to efforts to improve communication to mariners. Automatic Identification System (AIS) data provides time-stamped and geo-referenced vessel position reports for most commercial vessels operating in the District’s area of interest. This paper describes how AIS data has been successfully used by St. Louis District waterway managers to (1) prevent conflicts with the navigation industry by revealing active fleeting areas that were under consideration for the construction of river training structures; and (2) identify changes in vessel approaches to a lock structure under different river flow conditions, providing operational information that could be used in future navigation alerts to mariners. This paper concludes with a list of suggested best practices for waterways managers who want to start, or expand, their use of AIS data.

  • Hurdles to Beneficial Use of Dredged Material: Root Cause Analysis

    Purpose: This technical note (TN) summarizes high points of an internal review of US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dredging and dredged material management practices, specifically beneficial use of dredged material (BUDM), that USACE manages from various navigation channels and ports around the nation.

  • Wallisville Lake Project staff clean up abandoned crab traps

    Each year, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division (TPWD) closes crab fishing with wire mesh crab traps for ten days to give volunteers the opportunity to round up lost and abandoned traps. The closure is traditionally in late February or early March. Unattended traps “ghost fish” and kill blue crabs and other species unnecessarily and can also create a navigation hazard for boaters. According to a press release from TPWD, since the “Crab Trap Roundup” began 22 years ago, volunteers have removed 42,500 derelict traps, saving an estimated 700,000 blue crabs, a valuable natural resource. Each year at the Wallisville Lake Project, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG) personnel join the Crab Trap Roundup, while they patrol.

  • Portion of Neal Smith Trail to close for resurfacing at Saylorville Lake

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces a portion of the Neal Smith Trail at Saylorville Lake will temporarily close for resurfacing starting March 4th.

  • Girl Scouts spruce up Old Hickory Lake’s Environmental Study Area

    HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 29, 2024) – Girl Scout Troop 296 joined other community volunteers and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park rangers Saturday to spruce up and make minor improvements to the Environmental Study Area on the shoreline of Old Hickory Lake.

  • Corps of Engineers to reopen four locks and dams after winter maintenance

    ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, will reopen several locks and dams in March that were closed for winter maintenance.

  • Average Garrison Dam releases declining to address downstream ice

    **Updated to note continued decline in releases toward 16,000 cfs ahead of the forecast schedule.** Fluctuations in temperatures in the Bismarck area have resulted in ice formation on the Missouri River and an ice jam just south of Bismarck. To reduce the threat of flooding, releases from Garrison Dam will be decreased today to an average of 22,000 cfs and tomorrow to 19,000 cfs. Releases may be adjusted as needed over the next several days based on the most up-to-date information.

  • Memphis District hosts first-ever two-day Industry Day, deemed successful, more informative

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Memphis District (MVM) hosted their first ever two-day lndustry Day business event on Feb. 20 and 21 at the Memphis, Tennessee, Renasant Convention Center.  Industry Day is a Department of Defense (DoD) Program Management Office (PMO) event providing federal contractors the opportunity to network with each other and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers professionals.

  • Ecological Model to Evaluate Borrow Areas in the Lower Mississippi River

    Abstract: An aquatic analysis of constructing borrow areas adjacent to the main line levees in the Lower Mississippi River was conducted as part of an Environmental Impact Statement for upgrading the levee system. A Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) regression model based on field collections was developed to predict fish species richness as a function of the morphometry and water quality of borrow areas. The HSI score was multiplied by acres of borrow areas created during construction to obtain habitat units (HUs) for each alternative indicating a substantial gain of fishery habitat in the floodplain. Environmental features identified by the model to increase fish species richness and overall habitat heterogeneity include the shape of the pit (e.g., bowl-shaped with deep water rather than long rectangular with shallower water), the availability of littoral areas for fish spawning and rearing, using best management practices such as tree screens and bank stabilization to lower turbidity, adding islands, and creating sinuous shorelines. The project results in an overall gain in aquatic habitat by creating permanent or semi-permanent water bodies on the floodplain that our research indicates may be occupied by at least 75 species of fish contributing to the overall biodiversity of the lower Mississippi River.