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  • ERDC researchers use numerical modeling to assist with hurricane preparations

    As a tropical system approaches the coastline and the intensity and impact of the storm becomes evident, officials and first responders brace for landfall by staging equipment and readying personnel for the aftermath. To assist in these efforts, researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) are using numerical modeling systems to help U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) districts better prepare for storms.

  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Utilizing Stream Flows to Forecast Dredging Requirements

    Abstract: In recent years, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has spent an average of approximately a billion dollars annually for navigation channel maintenance dredging. To execute these funds effectively, USACE districts must determine which navigation channels are most in need of maintenance dredging each year. Traditionally, dredging volume estimates for Operations and Maintenance budget development are based on experiential knowledge and historic averages, with the effects of upstream, precipitation-driven streamflows considered via general-rule approximations. This study uses the Streamflow Prediction Tool, a hydrologic routing model driven by global weather forecast ensembles, and dredging records from the USACE Galveston District to explore relationships between precipitation-driven inland channel flow and subsequent dredged volumes in the downstream coastal channel reaches. Spatially based regression relationships are established between cumulative inland flows and dredged volumes. Results in the test cases of the Houston Ship Channel and the Sabine-Neches Waterway in Texas indicate useful correlations between the computed streamflow volumes and recorded dredged volumes. These relationships are stronger for channel reaches farther inland, upstream of the coastal processes that are not included in the precipitation-driven hydrologic model.

  • Lakeville resident selected for prestigious award

    ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters in Washington, D.C., recently selected Lakeville, Minnesota, resident and St. Paul District senior hydraulic engineer Ann Banitt as the recipient of its Hydrology, Hydraulics and Coastal Community of Practice Professional of the Year Award.

  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Spatial Analysis of Precipitation and Snow Water Equivalent Extremes for the Columbia River Basin

    Abstract: Recent advances in the spatial statistics of extremes and model calibration were applied to develop and deliver areal-exceedance estimates for precipitation (PREC), by season and duration, and snow water equivalent (SWE), by cool season month and for the water year, for 758 delineated sub-basins of the Columbia River Basin (CRB), which correspond to a new CRB hydrology model watershed delineation. Understanding that future US Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division, mission requirements may change, project execution also included the development and delivery of an application guidance document to credibly compute areal-exceedance estimates, including uncertainty, for PREC or SWE for any arbitrary area within the CRB. R, a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics (https://www.r-project.org/), and QGIS, a free and open source geographic information system (https://qgis.org/en/site/index.html), were the primary tools used for product development and delivery. The following R software packages were primarily used during project execution: evd, Glmnet, maps, raster, rgdal, SDMTools, sp, and SpatialExtremes.

  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Rapid Watershed Assessment Tools Based on High-Resolution Terrain Data

    Abstract: The goal of this project was to develop rapid watershed assessment methods to estimate channel stability and sediment transport potential using high resolution terrain data (Light Detection and Ranging-LiDAR) to support US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) watershed planning. This project developed a suite of tools based on advanced remote sensing technologies (LiDAR) that use off-the-shelf, high-resolution terrain data to rapidly assess watershed condition at the channel, floodplain, valley, and watershed scales. The widespread availability of high-resolution terrain data provides an opportunity to assess watershed conditions in great detail over large spatial extents. For this project, a channel assessment method was developed using a new LiDAR Hydraulic Geometry Relationships (HGR)-based approach for developing regional curves.

  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Analysis of Snow Water Equivalent Annual Maxima in the Upper Connecticut River Basin Using a Max-Stable Spatial Process Model

    Abstract: Recent advances from the science of spatial extremes and model regularization were applied to develop areal-based extremes of snow water equivalent (SWE) data for the upper Connecticut River Basin. Development of areal-based SWE exceedance probability estimates are of relevance for cool season probabilistic flood hazard analyses (PFHA). The approach profiled in this case study is applicable for other hydrometeor-ological variables of relevance to PFHA. The methodology conforms with Extreme Value Theory (EVT) for the analysis of spatial extremes; hence, there is a firm theoretical basis for extrapolation. Trend surface development is guided by EVT theory and recent advances for regularizing general linear models. R, a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics, and QGIS, a free and open-source geographic information system, were the primary tools used for product development and delivery. The following R software packages were primarily used during project execution: evd, Glmnet, maps, raster, rgdal, SDMTools, sp, and SpatialExtremes. R software packages exist in the public domain and support PFHA analyses of varying complexities. Their application herein is not an endorsement or recommendation. It is recommended that one would need to evaluate any particular R software package regarding its suitability for use for any specific application.

  • Corps to host “Waterways, Wetlands and You!” informational forums

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, will host an informational outreach event

  • Builders of Bulwark: Norfolk H&H engineer illustrates the heart, path of a problem-solver

    There are creative kids who want to produce art; there are athletic kids who seek sports; and maybe, there are the engineering kids who want to problem-solve. And if that’s the case, people like Leah Weaver would be their inspiration.

  • Retiree Bob Sneed receives Distinguished Civilian Employee Recognition Award

    RIDGETOP, Tenn. (June 8 2018) – The retired water manager best known for overseeing water releases during the May 2010 flood of the Cumberland River received the Distinguished Civilian Employee Recognition Award today during the Engineer Day Picnic at Smiley Hollow.

  • Albuquerque District’s Brown selected for ERDC University

    District Hydrologic Engineer Stephen Brown is one of the initial participants in the ERDC University pilot program. His work focuses on modeling applications of the Las Conchas wildfire burn scar in northern New Mexico and has widespread future application opportunities.