Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

News Releases

MVM to christen $25.5M Grader 1 on May 2nd

4/28/2023

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...

Memphis District retires legacy grader, replaces with new, faster, more efficient model

4/13/2023

The Memphis District officially welcomed a new, $25.5 million Bank Grading Unit (BGU), April 11, 2023, when it docked at its new home port at Ensley Engineer Yard in Memphis, Tennessee.Constructed in...

Mississippi River Commission prepares for spring high-water inspection trip

3/20/2023

The Mississippi River Commission will conduct its annual spring high-water inspection trip on the Mississippi River, March 27- 31, 2023.The Commission will host public meetings in select towns along...

Corps begins Phase I floodfight activities on the White River near Georgetown, Des Arc

3/9/2023

The Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has begun Phase I floodfight activities along the White River in Arkansas due to high river stages. The area of current or possible flooding...

What We Do

Memphis District Featured Moments

The Memphis District's Motor Vessel Mississippi docked at Beale Street Landing, Memphis, Tennessee for the 2022 MRC Low Water Inspection Trip Public Hearing, Aug. 23, 2022. (USACE Photo by Public Affairs Specialist Jessica Haas)

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 those eight and a half months, the 36-person crew removed 14.5 million cubic yards of material, which is the most the Dredge Hurley has ever removed in a single season.

Photos are of the water trails located in Arkansas.

An image of the channel cleanout project area in Craighead, Arkansas. Locust Creek has been experiencing debris buildup, resulting in improper channel drainage. Once the project contract is awarded, crews will remove sedimentation buildup along approximately two miles of the creek to prevent any further accumulation. The project reached its “Ready to Advertise” milestone on April 30, 2021. (Courtesy photo)

IN THE PHOTOS, photos of the Memphis District’s Dredge Hurley on the Ensley Engineer Yard dry dock, getting repaired after much of the south, including Memphis, Tennessee, was hit hard with frigid temperatures in mid-February this year. From frozen pipes to no electricity, many people and structures were impacted by the icy weather, including the district’s Dredge Hurley. It took approximately one month and multiple Ensley Engineer Yard crews to thaw out and repair the dredge. Now that the Dredge Hurley is thawed and repaired, it’s ready to dredge the Mississippi River, which is scheduled to start within the next two weeks. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

IN THE PHOTO, a photo of the Memphis District’s Dredge Hurley on the Ensley Engineer Yard dry dock, getting repaired after much of the south, including Memphis, Tennessee, was hit hard with frigid temperatures in mid-February this year. From frozen pipes to no electricity, many people and structures were impacted by the icy weather, including the district’s Dredge Hurley. It took approximately one month and multiple Ensley Engineer Yard crews to thaw out and repair the dredge. Now that the Dredge Hurley is thawed and repaired, it’s ready to dredge the Mississippi River, which is scheduled to start within the next two weeks. (USACE photo by Jessica Haas)

IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District St. Francis Basin (SFB) Partners, Stakeholders and Project Management, members of the district's Hydrology and Hydraulics branch, and district Engineering and Construction managers traveled to the Fisher Delta Research Center in Portageville, Missouri for their annual partnering meeting on Mar. 30, 2021.

IN THE PHOTO, a photo of the Memphis District’s Ensley Engineer Yard after getting hit hard with frigid temperatures in mid-February this year. From frozen pipes to no electricity, many people and structures were impacted by the icy weather, including the district’s Dredge Hurley. It took approximately one month and multiple Ensley Engineer Yard crews to thaw out and repair the dredge. Now that the Dredge Hurley is thawed and repaired, it’s ready to dredge the Mississippi River, which is scheduled to start within the next two weeks.

IN THE PHOTOS, photos of three Memphis District Administrative Professionals. From left to right, Operations Division Administrative Assistant Cherrie Smith, Hydraulics and Hydrology Branch Secretary Kai Alimayu, and Executive Office Administrative Assistant Brenda Barber. Thank you to all our Memphis District Administrative Assistants and Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

The location of the recently awarded task order to restore existing revetment and repair over-steepened banks. The future project will take place along the Mississippi River in Coahoma County, Mississippi, and Phillips County, Arkansas. Approximately 48,000 tons of graded C-Stone will be placed on the river training structures of the Mississippi River to protect from erosion and scouring.

IN THE PHOTOS, photos of the Memphis District’s Ensley Engineer Yard after getting hit hard with frigid temperatures in mid-February this year. From frozen pipes to no electricity, many people and structures were impacted by the icy weather, including the district’s Dredge Hurley. It took approximately one month and multiple Ensley Engineer Yard crews to thaw out and repair the dredge. Now that the Dredge Hurley is thawed and repaired, it’s ready to dredge the Mississippi River, which is scheduled to start within the next two weeks.

IN THE PHOTOS, this month, we are highlighting Carla Wells. She is a government purchase card business manager for the Contracting/Oversight Branch. Here are a few photos of her during her time as a government purchase card business manager.

IN THE PHOTOS, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations, Maj. Gen. William (Butch) Graham and the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Army (Civil Works), Vance Stewart, visited the Memphis District last week. While there, they had the opportunity to welcome home and congratulate the Revetment Team after completing one of the district's longest seasons in history. Here, the units gather for a ‘welcome home’ brief. Additionally, representatives of each unit are coined for a job well done. (USACE photos by Vance Harris)

IN THE PHOTOS, a team of mechanics, electricians, carpenters, pipefitters, HVAC technicians, and revetment workers all got together to completely renovate the Tractor Shop’s breakroom, literally from the ground up. These are the before photos.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Division Deputies were recently in Memphis, Tennessee, for a Deputies Summit and tour of the area. As part of their tour, the group traveled to the Memphis District’s Ensley Engineer Yard to learn about the Mississippi River and Tributaries Regional Channel Improvement Program. Following their briefing, the deputies toured the Motor Vessel Mississippi, spoke with Dredge Hurley Master Adrian Pirani about the previous dredging season, visited with emergency operations staff, and then ended the tour by observing day-to-day operations at the Metals Shop, which is where much of the maintenance and repairing of our Revetment fleet and machinery take place. (USACE photo by Jessica Haas)

Derrick Smith has been appointed the new Memphis District Project Management Branch Chief.

Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller signs the first SPOT Report using the new Smart Project Updates Dashboard.

Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic Leader Robert Woods (center) and crew prepares for a safety meeting preceding the undocking of Revetment Mooring Barge 7401. (USACE photo by Brenda Beasley)

IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller and other district leaders hosted the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Army (Civil Works), Mr. Vance Stewart, and USACE's Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations, Maj. Gen. William (Butch) H. Graham, on March 11, 2021. During his tour, Graham stopped by the Grand Prairie Project to learn more about conserving groundwater resources throughout the region and is briefed by subject matter experts on the project and what is needed to complete the project, preserve groundwater, and save life, land and agriculture for many more years to come. (USACE Photo by Vance Harris)

IN THE PHOTO, A Rock Construction works to resurface the levee crown near Phillips County, Arkansas. 2019 flood damage supplemental funds funded the project.

IN THE PHOTO, the location where the St. Francis Floodway Blockage Project will take place. Due to the remote location, personnel will have to boat in and out each day. The material will have to be floated out and excavated to a designated area nearby.

IN THE PHOTOS, before and after photos of the West Basin Scour Repairs Phase 3 Construction Project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District successfully completed a construction project in partnership with the Little River Drainage District in Bollinger County, Missouri. Construction started on July 15, 2020, and was completed six months ahead of schedule on Jan. 7, 2021.

IN THE PHOTOS, Supervisory Budget Analyst Marcia Newton retired late last year after serving almost 33 years of federal service. Congratulations and many thanks for your dedicated service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mission and this great nation.

IN THE PHOTOS, Wildlife Biologist and Project Manager Randy Clark retired from the Memphis District after serving 37 years of federal service. Congratulations and many thanks for your dedicated service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mission and this great nation. (Courtesy photos)

IN THE PHOTO, Wildlife Biologist and Project Manager Randy Clark retired from the Memphis District after serving 37 years of federal service. Congratulations and many thanks for your dedicated service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mission and this great nation. (Courtesy photo)

IN THE PHOTO, the Mississippi Valley, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the Mississippi Valley Division, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) all met for an event known as the Mississippi Valley Construction Roundtable, which was held in downtown Memphis, Tennessee this year on Feb. 18 and 19. This annual meeting afforded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Associated General Contractors of America an opportunity to recognize contractors and engineering staff that have exhibited outstanding safety practices in delivering USACE projects. One of these awards are pictured above. (USACE photo by Vance Harris)

IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller and other district members held a ribbon-cutting ceremony symbolizing the victory and celebration of completing yet another significant project. (USACE photo by Jessica Haas)

IN THE PHOTO, Project Manager Marsalis Roddy briefed Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller and other district members on the construction project that was successfully completed, Jan. 15, 2021. Afterwards, the district leadership and project delivery team held a ribbon-cutting ceremony symbolizing the victory and celebration of completing yet another significant project. (USACE photo by Jessica Haas)

IN THE PHOTOS, photos taken during the Graham Burke engine construction project. (USACE photos by Project Manager Marsalis Roddy)

IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller, District Partners, and other district leadership were briefed on the details of the St. Francis bridge (CR736) project at the exact site where the construction took place. Afterward, the group held a ribbon-cutting ceremony (in the photo), symbolizing the victory and celebration of completing yet another significant project. (USACE photo by Jessica Haas)

IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller and other district leadership were briefed on the details of the St. Francis bridge (CR736) project at the exact site where the construction took place. Afterward, the group held a ribbon-cutting ceremony (in the photo), symbolizing the victory and celebration of completing yet another significant project. (USACE photo by Vance Harris)

IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller and other district leadership are briefed on the details of the St. Francis bridge (CR736) project at the exact site where the construction took place. Afterward, the group held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the victory and celebration of completing yet another significant project. (USACE photo by Jessica Haas)

IN THE PHOTOS, Project Manager Mark Mazzone briefs Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller and other district leadership on the details of the Hopefield project at the exact site where the armoring took place. Afterward, the group walked down to the riverbank to cut the ribbon, symbolizing the victory and celebration of completing yet another significant project. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

The 55th Chief of Engineers, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, and the 14th Command Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major Patrickson Toussaint, visited the Memphis District last week to better understand some of the ways the district is supporting the USACE Civil Works mission. (USACE photos by Vance Harris)

IN THE PHOTO, dry dock 5801 after it was serviced in Morgan City, Louisiana and back at Ensley Engineer Yard in Memphis, Tennessee. The dry dock was shipped to the Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana for repairs and maintenance in June 2019. The dock has been operating since 1958. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

IN THE PHOTO, one of the locations where service contracts are scheduled to be executed. These service contracts directly support this critical mission and largely contribute to maintaining the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project. Congratulations to each team for successfully executing each service contract and playing a pivotal role in our nation's thriving commerce.

IN THE PHOTO, a crane removes barrels off the Dredge Hurley, which is now docked at Ensley Engineer Yard for some much-needed repairs after another long but successful season of dredging the Mississippi River. Adrian Pirani, Dredge Hurley master, said the crew successfully removed a little more than 8 million cubic yards of sediment this season. The season was shorter than last year due to the Hurley needing maintenance done, which required the Hurley be placed on a larger dry dock down south for a few months earlier this year. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

IN THE PHOTO, anchors used to keep the Dredge Hurley in place, now not needed as the Hurley is now docked at Ensley Engineer Yard after another long but successful season of dredging the Mississippi River. Adrian Pirani, Dredge Hurley master, said the crew successfully removed a little more than 8 million cubic yards of sediment this season. The season was shorter than last year due to the Hurley needing maintenance done, which required the Hurley be placed on a larger dry dock down south for a few months earlier this year. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

IN THE PHOTO, the Dredge Hurley is now docked at Ensley Engineer Yard after another long but successful season of dredging the Mississippi River. Adrian Pirani, Dredge Hurley master, said the crew successfully removed a little more than 8 million cubic yards of sediment this season. The season was shorter than last year due to the Hurley needing maintenance done, which required the Hurley be placed on a larger dry dock down south for a few months earlier this year. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

IN THE PHOTOS, Memphis District employees gather for a memorial earlier today at the Clifford-Davis Odell Horton Federal Building to honor and remember seven teammates, who to many of us were family, that we unfortunately lost over the last year. All seven have been and will be dearly missed. The District Commander, Corps Chaplain, Physical Support Branch Chief Lawrence “LT” Thomas, and Operations Division Chief Russell Davis III spoke words of solace and encouragement during this time where we are all experiencing a rollercoaster ride of emotions. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors in Lake Charles, Louisiana, installed reinforced plastic sheeting today, Sept. 5, for the first home to benefit from Operation Blue Roof since Hurricane Laura. The program, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency, reduces further damage to property until permanent repairs can be made. This is a free service to homeowners. Parties affected by Hurricane Laura are encouraged to submit a Right-of-Entry application. To learn more about Operation Blue Roof and to apply, visit: https://www.usace.army.mil/BlueRoof/ (USACE Photos by Jessica Haas)

IN THE PHOTO, is a sample of the erosion the project will address.

IN THE PHOTO, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors install a generator at one of several facilities requesting temporary power after Hurricane Laura damaged their installation. The temporary power mission is one of the Corps' primary missions in supporting Louisiana's recovery from Hurricane Laura. (Courtesy photo)

IN THE PHOTOS, Dredge Hurley Ship Keeper Curtis Williams a.k.a. “Lil Wolf” as a child all the way up to his time working on the dredges Burgess and Hurley.

Common Links

Did You Know?

The Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has served the citizens of the Mid-South region since 1882. The annual mission of its employees is to minimize flood risk, keep America’s most vital inland navigation highway – the Mississippi River – open for navigation and to preserve our environment for future generations.

Most Requested

Go ...

Memphis District News

Congrats to February Employee of the Month, Joey Cabay!

5/30/2023

Congratulations to Metals Unit Welder/Fitter Leaderman, Mr. Joey Cabay, on his Employee of the Month recognition for the month of February!On top of the responsibilities handled by a Welder, Metal...

Deputy Forum meets to develop forward-moving strategies for USACE

5/18/2023

Programs and Project Management Deputy District Engineers (DPM) from across the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, gathered in Charleston, South Carolina, for a two-day Deputy Forum on April 26.Twice a...

Ratliff named Memphis District January Employee of the Month

5/15/2023

Congratulations to Mr. Jack Ratliff on his recent selection as January 2023 Employee of the Month.Nominated by three separate district employees/offices, Ratliff is ultimately commended for embracing...

A look back: Berry's 33 years of service

5/11/2023

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...

Who We Are

Highlights

$The Memphis District's Revetment Branch and Metals Units recently finalized a flapgate repair on what’s called the “Fritz Landing Culvert” in Lake County, Tennessee, in August 2022. “In 2021, the flapgate on the river side end of one of the culverts became loose, fractured, and fell off,” Project Manager Mark Mazzone said. “The flapgates ensure that flood water cannot back up through the culverts. They also provide the actual protection against flooding through culvert openings in the levee.” To repair the flapgates, construction involved building temporary cofferdams, pumping standing water to access the end of the culvert, fabrication and installation of temporary structures, and fabrication/installation of a replacement collar and supporting structure. (Courtesy photos)$