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  • USACE Chicago District announces minimum water releases at JE Roush, Salamonie, and Mississinewa Lakes

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Chicago District, is adjusting operations at JE Roush, Salamonie, and Mississinewa Lakes due to recent heavy rainfall during the preceding week. As reported by the Ohio River Forecasting Center, between 3 and 10 inches fell across the Upper Wabash, with larger amounts having fallen along the most downstream limits of the basin. Up to an additional inch of rainfall is anticipated over the weekend, with the potential for localized areas of heavier rainfall. Based on current forecasts, the water level of the Wabash River, as measured at the USGS streamgage located at Lafayette, is forecasted to crest just below moderate flood stage the afternoon of 16 August 2026.

  • Willamette Valley reservoirs face drought, Army Corps to discuss at public meetings

    Army water managers will hold two virtual information sessions on Tuesday, May 19, to discuss severe drought conditions and the summer forecast for the Willamette Valley’s 13 reservoirs.  According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, it is the sixth driest in terms of water year precipitation to-date since 1980 in the Willamette Valley. Low rainfall and snowpack have created widespread drought conditions across the region, impacting the efforts to refill the reservoirs and keep them full. 

  • Ice Cutting and Removal for Cold Weather Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) Crossings

    Frozen rivers provide an obstacle for any military force, as ice impedes the use of Improved Ribbon Bridges (IRBs) or other bridging vehicles. Finding an efficient way to cut and remove ice to allow for the emplacement of bridging assets is critical. The US Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory’s (CRREL) Cold Weather IRB team went to Camp Grafton, North Dakota, to collect data for the North Dakota National Guard who were conducting a frozen wet gap crossing in February of 2022. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected to evaluate strategies for ice cutting, removal, and IRB placement. After ice cutting and removal, an IRB bay was successfully placed in the frozen pond. Laboratory tests were conducted in March 2022 to examine different chainsaw chains for cutting an ice sheet grown in the Geophysical Research Facility (GRF) at CRREL. Chainsaws were determined to be an effective tool for cutting ice, and the speed and comfortability of different chains were documented. The data collected from this project will help to drive the North Dakota National Guard creation of a winter bridging course and will be used to update the Army’s Tactics Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) for cold weather bridging operations.

  • Ice Demolition Techniques—Rapid Improved Ribbon Bridge Placement and Enemy Forces Denial: Using Traditional Military Explosives Under Ice

    Abstract: As the United States military focuses on furthering their lethality across cold regions, developing new techniques for equipment usage is necessary. On 19 March 2025, the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center–Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (ERDC-CRREL) collaborated with the Army Engineers from the 50th Multi-Role Bridge Company (MRBC), 6th Brigade Engineer Battalion (BEB), and Sapper Leader Course (SLC) to determine whether explosives can be used for Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) placement in ice-laden environments. As the US Army adapts to meet the evolving threats from foreign adversaries, there is an increased tactical necessity for enhanced bridging capabilities in frozen terrain. Developing an expedient method of removing ice from these waterways and placing IRBs for easy crossing of heavy military equipment is essential. Through this experiment it was determined that the use of a 40 lb cratering charge primed with M152 boosters significantly fractures the ice cover expeditiously. However, the ice expulsion rate found in this experiment was insufficient for IRB deployment which requires 60% expulsion rate. Although the experiment fell short of IRB requirements, it proved to be an efficient and effective countermobility tool for units who use frozen water ways as avenues of approach.

  • Army Corps of Engineers waives fees and invites volunteers to participate in National Public Lands Day, Sept. 27

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will waive day use fees normally charged at

  • Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors to practice water safety

    As millions of Americans plan visits to lakes and rivers throughout the Cumberland River basin this summer, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District reminds visitors of the importance of practicing safety around open water.

  • Eagle Days 2025: Kansas and Missouri lakes play vital role in bald eagle resurgence and conservation

    As efforts to protect the majestic bald eagle continue to evolve, one unexpected ally has emerged in the fight for their survival: man-made lakes. These artificial bodies of water, often created for flood control, agricultural, and recreational purposes, have become vital habitats for bald eagles and other birds of prey, supporting their nesting, feeding and breeding needs. Historically, bald eagle populations in North America have faced serious threats due to habitat destruction, the detrimental effects of pesticides like DDT and other factors. While these stunning birds have made a significant recovery thanks to federal protections and conservation efforts, their future still depends on the availability of suitable habitats.

  • Army Corps of Engineers waives fees and invites volunteers to participate in National Public Lands Day, Sept. 28

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will waive day use fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at its recreation areas nationwide in recognition of National Public Lands Day (NPLD) on Saturday, Sept. 28. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. Other agencies and partners that manage recreation areas located on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to comply with this waiver of day use fees in the areas they manage.

  • Volunteers needed at Corps of Engineers lakes for National Public Lands Day

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is enlisting the support of volunteers at its lakes on the Cumberland River and its tributaries in support of the 23rd Annual National Public Lands Day, Sept. 28, 2024. Led by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) in collaboration with USACE and other federal agencies and volunteer organizations, National Public Lands Day highlights the importance of preserving open spaces for education, recreation, and well-being. It occurs every year on the fourth Saturday of September. This year’s theme is “National Public Lands Day: Together for Tomorrow.”

  • Corps of Engineers reminds visitors to practice water safety

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 20, 2024) – As millions of Americans plan visits to lakes and rivers throughout the Cumberland River Basin this summer, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District reminds visitors of the importance of practicing safety around open water.