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...

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Memphis District Featured Moments

In line with USACE’s top priority, public safety, the Memphis District is part of a huge undertaking to design, procure, and construct hurricane and storm risk reduction features and ensure the Mississippi River remains viable from New Orleans to Venice, Louisiana.

The purpose of the New Orleans to Venice (NOV) project is much bigger than what Memphis is doing for this project. Overall, the NOV project will achieve storm risk reduction for Plaquemines Parish by repairing and restoring the original federal project levees, replacing, or modifying certain Non-Federal Levees (NFL), accelerating the completion of unconstructed portions of the authorized project and armoring critical elements of the authorized project along the Mississippi River, from Oakville to Venice on the West Bank, and Phoenix to Bohemia on the East Bank. While not inside Memphis District footprint, the project is a key component in showcasing the capability of the Memphis District.

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 Worker, and Fitter, Cabay regularly takes on much more than what is asked of him.

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.

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.

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, 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 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, 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, 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.

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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.

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Memphis District News

Dike restoration project minimizes excessive dredging, supports river

6/16/2023

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Memphis District maintains a safe and dependable navigation channel for 355 miles of the Mississippi River. It delivers on this charge by constructing dikes...

New Orleans to Venice by way of Memphis

5/31/2023

In line with USACE’s top priority, public safety, the Memphis District is part of a huge undertaking to design, procure, and construct hurricane and storm risk reduction features and ensure the...

Corps of Engineers officially launched new bank grader, retires 75-year-old legacy

5/31/2023 UPDATED

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...

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...

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Highlights

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