23 Jan 2024

District engineer wins national career achievement award

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Memphis District proudly announces the Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) STEM Conference has selected Operations Division Chief Andrea L. Williams to receive a 2024 Career Achievement Award in recognition of her significant achievements as an engineer for a U.S. Government organization. Williams is the first woman in district history to serve in the operations division chief role. Her oversight of several district assets, including the Dredge Hurley, the Motor Vessel Mississippi, three pumping plants, and several revetment units, demonstrates her exceptional leadership and dedication to the USACE mission.

31 May 2023

USACE Memphis christens replacement, $25.5M bank grading unit "Grader 1"

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District officially launched its new, $25.5 million Bank Grading Unit (BGU), “Grader 1”, with a christening ceremony held on the afternoon of May 2 at a boat ramp located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Event attendees included Mississippi Valley Division Commander Maj. Gen. Diana Holland, Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser, Grader 1's project delivery team and project partners, and several members from the Memphis District Employee and Retiree Communities. Vessel christenings are widely considered an important part of nautical culture with many associated customs practiced for centuries now. While variations do exist, the overall purpose is to request protection for the vessel and crew while navigating the waterways of the world.

11 May 2023

A look back: Berry's 33 years of federal service

Knowledgeable. Caring. An asset. Kindhearted. Selfless. Friend. Guru. A bright light. Trustworthy. These are words chosen to describe colleague, friend, and recently retired Program Assistant, Mr. Jeff Berry. Even with solid attempts made at convincing him to stay, Berry celebrated his retirement of 33 years of federal service in a ceremony surrounded by friends, family, and colleagues.

28 Apr 2023

USACE Memphis to christen $25.5M bank grading unit May 2nd

The Memphis District is holding a Christening Ceremony, May 2 at 1:30 PM CT, to celebrate and welcome its new Bank Grading Unit, Grader 1, a $25.5 million Seatrax model constructed to replace the districts legacy model, a 1949 vintage Bucyrus-Erie barge-mounted dragline. Grader 1 is also the first and newest addition to the Regional Channel Improvement Fleet.

2 Mar 2023

Memphis District's Dredge Hurley returns home ending most productive, longest season on record

The Memphis District's Dredge Hurley returned to its home port, Ensley Engineer Yard, in Memphis Harbor, on Jan. 13, 2023, after finishing a record-breaking 273-day season, which began Apr. 26, 2022. In eight and a half months, the 36-person crew dredged 14.5 million cubic yards of sediment, which is the most the Dredge Hurley has ever removed in a single season.

24 Feb 2023

Mississippi River Commission schedules high-water inspection trip

The Mississippi River Commission will conduct its annual high-water inspection trip on the Mississippi River, Mar. 27 - 31, 2023.

23 Jan 2023

Memphis District employee helps rescue mother, three daughters

Mr. Shaun Bass, a Construction Control Inspector from the Memphis District's Caruthersville Area Office, witnessed a horrific car accident occur right in front of him while travelling for work in July of 2022. The accident involved a mother and her three children driving head on into a bridge embankment. He was able to call 911 and tend to the mother before the first ambulance arrived. Once the first ambulance was onsite, he directed traffic around the accident while assisting paramedics with the children as needed. Amazingly, the mother and three children survived, yet arguably, if it were not for Bass and the ambulance personnel, this story may have had a much more tragic conclusion. This is his recollection of that day's events.

23 Jan 2023

$5.3M BIL-funded revetment project complete ahead of schedule

A Memphis District Project Delivery Team recently completed a $5.3M Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)-funded revetment project in Bauxippi-Wyanoke, Arkansas. Work began in November last year when historic low water conditions and tow restrictions delayed much of the river industry’s transportation of goods. Despite these less-than-stellar conditions, the team completed construction ahead of schedule, finishing all work on Dec. 16, 2022.

6 Jan 2023

Congratulations, Thank You, Mr. Jeff Berry!

The holidays weren’t the only reason the district celebrated the end of 2022. Additionally, Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser recognized, thanked, and presented a Commander’s Coin and a Length of Service Certificate to our Program Assistant Jeff Berry for his incredible 30+ years of federal service. Please help us say congratulations and thank you to Mr. Jeff Berry! We value and appreciate all you’ve done and continue to do for the District, the Mississippi Valley Division, and this great Nation! People like you are why the Memphis District Team is the best team there is, and we are lucky to have you!

5 Jan 2023

LDP grads on program: Making connections, overcoming obstacles, coming out stronger

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District invests in employees and develops their leadership skills by utilizing the Leadership Development Program (LDP). LDP graduates are said to benefit from an expanded network of mentors, elevated promotion potential, and a greater understanding of the enterprise and district (to name a few). Having more mentors and a better chance at promotion is nice, but according to the class of 2022, these perks are barely a fraction of what participants can get out of this yearlong program.