• The Use of US Army Corps of Engineers Reservoirs as Stopover Sites for the Aransas–Wood Buffalo Population of Whooping Crane

    Abstract: This technical report summarizes the use of US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) reservoirs as spring and fall migration stopover sites for the endangered Aransas–Wood Buffalo population of whooping cranes (WHCR), which proved much greater than previously known. We assessed stopover use within the migration flyway with satellite transmitter data on 68 WHCR during 2009–2018 from a study by the US Geological Survey (USGS) and collaborators, resulting in over 165,000 location records, supplemented by incidental observations from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the USGS Biodiversity Information Serving Our Nation (BISON) databases. Significant stopover use was observed during both spring and fall migration, and one reservoir served as a wintering location in multiple years. Future efforts should include (a) continued monitoring for WHCR at USACE reservoirs within the flyway; (b) reservoir-specific management plans at all projects with significant WHCR stopover; (c) a USACE-specific and range-wide Endangered Species Act Section 7(a)(1) conservation plan that specifies proactive conservation actions; (d) habitat management plans that include potential pool-level modifications during spring and fall to optimize stopover habitat conditions; and (e) continued evaluation of habitat conditions at USACE reservoirs.
  • Pittsburgh District commander reflects on first year in command

    Col. Adam Czekanski has been in command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District for a little over a year.
  • New patrol boat enhances Lake Cumberland visitor assistance

    LAKE CUMBERLAND, Ky. – (Aug. 8, 2022) – Park rangers at Lake Cumberland are better equipped to assist and educate visitors and enforce regulations with the purchase of a new patrol boat with enhanced capabilities.
  • JED Engineers participate in bilateral boat race on Lake Miyagase

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan District personnel accompanied Advanced Individual Training recruits from the Japan Ground Self Defense Force 4th Engineer Group to Lake Miyagase for a training exercise on August 5th.
  • LA District promotes security programs during Antiterrorism Awareness Month

    PHOENIX – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Security Team describes the purpose of organizational security programs during an inspection of federally leased property Aug. 3 near the Phoenix Area Office.
  • Forged Under Fire: Near-death experience galvanizes leadership principles for ERDC’s Vargas

    During Lt. Col. Rico Vargas’ first deployment to Iraq in 2006, he was injured when the Stryker he was riding in struck a buried improvised explosive device.
  • Commerce flows normally after Army engineers repair John Day Lock

    Commerce is now moving normally along the Columbia River and through John Day Lock after Army engineers completed repairs to damaged guide wheels by 12:30 p.m., August 5. Technicians originally discovered damage to a lower guide wheel on July 25, which initially closed the lock, and then slowed traffic at that point in the river.
  • Fort Worth District Hosts Rep. Burgess for Lewisville Dam Safety Modification Update

    U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., Representative serving Texas' 26th Congressional District, and staff, met with Col. Jon Stover, commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, and staff, at Lewisville Lake Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022.
  • Gathright Dam pulse release set for August 10

    The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will conduct a pulse release at Gathright Dam, near Covington, Va., on Wednesday, August 10, beginning at approximately 6 a.m.
  • USACE staff conducts dam safety emergency exercises

    Members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, and Clemson University participated in dam safety tabletop exercises at Hartwell and Clemson Diversion Dams July 27-28. The exercises help foster dialogue between the Corps and stakeholders and prepares them to respond more effectively and efficiently to an emergency with the dam.