• Approaches for Assessing Riverine Scour

    Abstract: Calculating scour potential in a stream or river is as much a geomorphological art as it is an exact science. The complexity of stream hydraulics and heterogeneity of river-bed materials makes scour predictions in natural channels uncertain. Uncertain scour depths near high-hazard flood-risk zones and flood-risk management structures lead to over-designed projects and difficult flood-risk management decisions. This Regional Sediment Management technical report presents an approach for estimating scour by providing a decision framework that future practitioners can use to compute scour potential within a riverine environment. This methodology was developed through a partnership with the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Hydrologic Engineering Center, and St. Paul District in support of the Lower American River Contract 3 project in Sacramento, CA.
  • Crest Road Closed Monday, May 24 for maintenance

    The road that crosses Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota, also known as Crest Road, will be closed Monday, May 24 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for maintenance. People are asked to take alternate routes during the closure.
  • Effect of Individual Differences in Predicting Engineering Students' Performance: A Case of Education for Sustainable Development

    Abstract: The academic performance of engineering students continues to receive attention in the literature. Despite that, there is a lack of studies in the literature investigating the simultaneous relationship between students' systems thinking (ST) skills, Five-Factor Model (FFM) personality traits, proactive personality scale, academic, demographic, family background factors, and their potential impact on academic performance. Three established instruments, namely, ST skills instrument with seven dimensions, FFM traits with five dimensions, and proactive personality with one dimension, along with a demographic survey, have been administrated for data collection. A cross-sectional web-based study applying Qualtrics has been developed to gather data from engineering students. To demonstrate the prediction power of the ST skills, FFM traits, proactive personality, academic, demographics, and family background factors on the academic performance of engineering students, two unsupervised learning algorithms applied. The study results identify that these unsupervised algorithms succeeded to cluster engineering students' performance regarding primary skills and characteristics. In other words, the variables used in this study are able to predict the academic performance of engineering students. This study also has provided significant implications and contributions to engineering education and education sustainable development bodies of knowledge. First, the study presents a better perception of engineering students' academic performance. The aim is to assist educators, teachers, mentors, college authorities, and other involved parties to discover students' individual differences for a more efficient education and guidance environment. Second, by a closer examination at the level of systemic thinking and its connection with FFM traits, proactive personality, academic, and demographic characteristics, understanding engineering students' skillset would be assisted better in the domain of sustainable education.
  • Field Survey to Prioritize Needs for Modernizing Dredged Material Evaluation Guidance

    Abstract: This technical note synthesizes and disseminates results of a 2020 survey of USACE dredging program and project managers to identify and prioritize needs related to the modernization and streamlining of the dredged material assessment decision guidance pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Section 103 of the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA). Priorities identified through the survey and subsequent follow-on interviews—together with advances in science and technology—will facilitate development of an electronic decision guidance tool to enable consistent, timely, and cost-effective dredged material management decisions. This tool will also facilitate a standardized database for ready access to historical data.
  • Corps seeks public comment on Kindred, North Dakota, sanitary sewer project

    ST. PAUL, Minn. –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is seeking public comments on a draft environmental assessment for the proposed sanitary sewer upgrade project in Kindred, North Dakota.
  • Corps of Engineers awards contract to repair Mississippi River habitat islands

    ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, recently awarded a $2.4 million contract to Water Works Dock & Boat Lifts, Inc. of Stoddard, Wisconsin, to repair a Mississippi River habitat restoration project approximately 40 miles south of La Crosse, Wisconsin, that was damaged by recent flooding events.
  • USACE monitors, treats groundwater at Nike CD-78 FUDS site

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has a diverse Environmental Program and mission that is dedicated
  • Zimmerman joins the ERDC’s Coastal, Hydraulics Laboratory

    Julia Zimmerman has joined the Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory’s River and Estuarine Engineering Branch at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC).
  • Cecil joins the ERDC’s Coastal, Hydraulics Laboratory

    Dr. Orie Cecil has joined the Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory’s Hydrologic Systems Branch at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC).
  • Auxiliary Lock at Lock 14 Opens May 28

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the opening of the auxiliary lock, located at Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, May 28 for recreational boating traffic.