News from Around the Northwestern Division

Army water regulators await torrent of winter moisture set to blast the Pacific Northwest

By Tom Conning Northwestern Division Published Dec. 1, 2023
A stream of atmospheric rivers will be flowing through parts the Pacific Northwest at the beginning of December, drastically changing the region’s most recent crisp, dry autumn – a seemingly strange occurrence. The National Weather Service’s (NWS) Portland office is predicting that up to three atmospheric rivers will pummel the region, bringing a very active weather pattern that will dump plenty of rain at lower elevations and snow to the Cascades.
Jack of all trades—cartographer, archivist and pilot all in one

By Abigail Voegeli, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Nov. 30, 2023
When asked to describe his job, long-time Kansas City District employee John Atkinson has a humorous response. “Jack of all trades, I guess,” he says. Officially, Atkinson serves as the district’s archivist and a cartographer in the Survey and Geospatial Data section. However, Atkinson’s diverse background and skillset, as well as his openness to trying new things, have combined to turn his career into something he never imagined. From deployments to piloting a drone to working with century-old photography, Atkinson’s work with the Kansas City District has been full of surprises.
Omaha District, partners successfully complete temporary power mission in San Juan

By Samuel Weldin USACE Omaha District Published Nov. 22, 2023
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District proudly announced the successful completion of a temporary power mission project in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This Federal Emergency Management Agency led initiative aimed at restoring and improving electrical infrastructure in the region. This marks a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to enhance the local power grid’s resilience and reliability in the wake of Hurricanes Maria in 2017 and Fiona in 2022. Fiona left thousands of residents without power for weeks and Maria resulted in not only the biggest, but the longest blackout in U.S. history, with hundreds of thousands of residents without power for more than 100 days total.
Mill Creek restoration an example of interagency collaboration and innovation

By Christine E. Paul, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Nov. 17, 2023
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on the evening of December 7, 2022, a pressure drop in the Keystone Pipeline system was reported by TC Energy Corporation. Not long after the reported pressure drop, a rupture was detected, and 588,000 gallons of oil spilled into Mill Creek. Located just a few miles northeast of the city of Washington, Kansas, the oil spill in Mill Creek was the largest in the history of the Keystone Pipeline and the largest onshore oil spill since 2014. This is a story that highlights the quick action of local emergency management, the vital cooperation between federal, state, local and Tribal partners, and the use of innovative bioengineering techniques resulting in a comprehensive restoration project. This is a story that also demonstrates how partners working toward a shared goal can accomplish the seemingly impossible.
Wilson Lake park ranger provides extraordinary skillset

By Jessica Schaeffer, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Nov. 2, 2023
Park rangers are valuable teammates of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District, as they are at the front lines working at our lake projects to ensure the public can utilize and enjoy the projects year-round. One park ranger who has spent the last 22 years of dedicated service with the Kansas City District is Matt Beckman.
Shaping the future of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant

By Abigail Voegeli, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Oct. 25, 2023
Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, located in Independence, Missouri, is the largest producer of small-arms munitions within the Department of Defense, turning out over a billion rounds of ammunition per year. This plant is a vital part of the past, present and future of the U.S. military. Production at the plant started in 1941, during World War II. Currently, it provides the majority of small-caliber ammunition for the U.S. military. It also performs ammunition development for the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapons program. LCAAP is doing important work, and its partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District is a key part of this success.
The 249th Engineer Battalion participates in the 2023 International Lineman's Rodeo

By A. Guzman Kansas City District Published Oct. 25, 2023
On an overcast October morning, the 249th Engineer Battalion, Prime Power, came together with linemen from across the globe at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kansas, to showcase their unique skill set in the 39th Annual International Lineman's Rodeo. The event brought the U.S. Army’s power generation specialists to the forefront, emphasizing how their expertise goes far beyond the battlefield, proving essential to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A gathering of elite linemen from the United States, Brazil and Canada, this rodeo provided an excellent opportunity for the U.S. Army’s 249th Engineer Battalion to demonstrate its capabilities in full-spectrum operations.
Dwindling capacity at Tuttle Creek Reservoir calls for an urgent and innovative solution

By By Carol C. Coleman, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center Published Oct. 20, 2023
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is no stranger to sediment build-up issues. The organization is responsible for maintaining and managing thousands of miles of inland and intracoastal waterways, channels, ports and harbors with a dredging budget of more than $1.7 billion in fiscal year 2023 alone. Presently, USACE researchers are taking on a slightly different challenge and investigating new methods to diminish the accumulation of sediment in lakes and reservoirs caused by dams.
Garrison Project hosts industry day for largest dam safety modification project in USACE history

By Delanie Stafford USACE OMAHA DISTRICT Published Oct. 19, 2023
Contractors from 10 construction and engineering firms attended an industry day Oct. 11 at the Garrison Dam located between Riverdale and Pick City, North Dakota. The industry day was part of early planning efforts for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers multi-year project considered to be the largest dam safety modification project in USACE history.
Peaks and valleys: Northwestern Division leverages regional project sharing to complete the mission

By Christine E. Paul, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Oct. 17, 2023
Comprised of nearly 37,000 employees, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is tasked with engineering solutions for the nation’s toughest challenges. Across the enterprise, many divisions and districts have seen a surge in workload over the last few years. While USACE has seen similar surges in the past, this increase in workload is larger than many can remember in recent history. The source of the current surge in workload is twofold. According to Col. Travis Rayfield, Kansas City District commander and district engineer, there has been an increase in funding from Congress through various infrastructure bills, which has resulted in more work across the enterprise. Additionally, The Economy Act allows federal agencies to enter into agreements to obtain supplies or services from another agency. This increase in funding for projects, coupled with an increase in resource sharing among agencies, has resulted in the surge in workload the enterprise is experiencing across the nation.
Omaha District Real Estate completes 783 compliance inspections in FY23

By Sarah Rich USACE Omaha District Published Oct. 16, 2023
OMAHA, Neb.— On a cool September morning, two realty specialists from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District’s Real Estate Military Branch ventured out from the district headquarters to conduct compliance inspections. For Connor Gann and Jake Moran, a road trip to a stretch of road in Sioux City and a hay field in South Dakota is just another day at work.
Proud to be Americano: Andy Guzman celebrates his Hispanic heritage

By Christine E. Paul, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City Distrit Published Oct. 10, 2023
In Spanish, America refers to the land that is both North and South America, not just the United States. In English, to say you are American means you are from the United States. But in Spanish, to say you are Americano means you could be from any of the 21 countries that span both continents. This distinction is important to Hispanic Americans, especially during National Hispanic Heritage Month. One of this year’s themes is “Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One,” which gets at the heart of the matter — Hispanic heritage is diverse but united. For Andy Guzman, public affairs specialist at the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate all Hispanic cultures and the language that unites them.
Lyle Wold: 50 years of public service, would he ever retire?

By Amber Tilton PORTLAND DISTRICT Published Oct. 5, 2023
Army veteran and civil servant Lyle Wold is retiring and explains his commitment to the nation after over 50 years of combined federal service.
Project Snowpack, innovating future floodplain weather prediction

By Makenzie Leonard USACE Omaha District Published Sept. 29, 2023
Historic flooding of the Upper Missouri River Basin in 2011 prompted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District to explore additional solutions in improving flood prediction. This led to the implementation of Project Snowpack, a multi-state and federal agency program that will revolutionize floodplain management throughout the region.
Paddling the distance

By Jessica Schaeffer, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Sept. 29, 2023
Each year, hundreds of adventurous paddlers brave 340 miles of the Lower Missouri River within a matter of 3 1/2 days as part of the annual Missouri American Water MR340 race hosted by Missouri River Relief. As the world’s longest non-stop river race, MR340 is a test of endurance. It is also an opportunity for people around the nation and world to learn more about the Missouri River and how the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the lower Missouri River Basin. Within the training all paddlers must do before the race, a warning is given to keep an eye out for the structures along the Missouri River including dikes, chutes and revetments. These structures are placed and maintained by the Kansas City District, so the Missouri River is able to self-maintain a navigation channel.
Kansas City District, Missouri Silver Jackets host extreme-flood response tabletop exercise

By Abigail Voegeli, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Sept. 29, 2023
Be prepared—it’s the best way to handle an emergency when one occurs. The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers knows this, and that’s why they partnered with the Missouri Silver Jackets team to host a tabletop exercise simulating an extreme flood event in the Kansas City metropolitan area. This exercise, the first of its kind in a decade, included participants from multiple levee and drainage districts, fire departments, public works, emergency management specialties, local, municipal, county and federal entities who support the levees during flood emergencies.
Kansas City District continues legacy of dedicated work on the Lewis and Clark Center at Fort Leavenworth

By Abigail Voegeli, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Sept. 27, 2023
The Lewis and Clark Center at Fort Leavenworth is a state-of-the-art building, boasting three floors full of custom stained-glass windows and military artifacts from many different countries and centuries. The building houses the Command and General Staff College, a joint, interagency, intergovernmental and multinational college and the U.S. military’s premier school of tactics. It is also one of the Kansas City District’s many projects at Fort Leavenworth from over the years. The district has a long and proud history of partnership with Fort Leavenworth. The Lewis and Clark Center is one of the largest projects the district has done for the installation. Completed in 2007, the building has since required repairs on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. Now, the Kansas City District is continuing its commitment to this building and taking the lead on the repairs.
Ready, willing and able: Kansas City District’s Debris Planning and Response Team ready to respond when disaster strikes

By Christine E. Paul, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Sept. 12, 2023
September is National Preparedness month, which is intended to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies across the country. Although the month of September is dedicated to this important observance, at the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Debris Planning and Response Team stands ready every day in case disaster strikes. When a disaster occurs, whether natural or manmade, and the state in which it occurred is not equipped to handle the response and cleanup afterwards, the governor may declare a State of Emergency, which is needed prior to a request for federal assistance. The president then may declare a federal disaster, which allows for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to access federal funding for the cleanup. FEMA contracts with USACE Planning and Response Teams to execute the cleanup mission after a disaster.
The intern experience— Omaha District hosts 23 engineering students

By Sarah Rich USACE Omaha District Published Sept. 11, 2023
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District Engineering Division welcomed engineering students from nine different state universities to its summer Student Intern Program. The goal of the program is to provide engineering students with the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom with real-world work experience.
More than mandatory – Omaha District trains new employees to encourage a growth mindset

By Sarah Rich USACE Omaha District Published Sept. 7, 2023
The staff at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District is growing. With a budget increasing year-over-year, taking on new projects, and a commitment to delivering engineering solutions effectively, hiring initiatives are taking place across the district’s offices and divisions.

Latest News Releases

Gavins Point Dam releases to be reduced to winter release rate

11/6/2023

Gavins Point Dam releases will be reduced in late November as flow support to navigation ends. Releases are currently 32,000 cubic feet per second. “We will continue to make releases from Gavins Point...

Army Corps of Engineers waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Veterans Day

11/2/2023 UPDATED

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced today that it will waive day use fees at its more than 2,850 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in observance of Veterans Day,...

Reminder for Missouri River Basin fall public meetings

10/31/2023

This is a reminder that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host its fall public meeting series for the Missouri River Basin November 7-9, 2023. These public meetings are held each spring and fall...

September runoff near average; Drought conditions continue in Missouri River Basin

10/6/2023

The month of September brought mixed results for precipitation across the Missouri River Basin. Portions of Montana, North and South Dakota, and Nebraska received above average rainfall, while the...

Pacific lamprey returns eclipsing other years

9/25/2023 UPDATED

*Our initial news release referenced adult Pacific Lamprey returns were 170 percent higher than the 10-year-average and then referenced the 10-year-average being 41,414 which is actually closer to 154...

Now Available: Draft Missouri River Operating Plan; Possible Fort Peck test flow; Fall public meeting schedule

9/25/2023

Ahead of fall public meetings, the Draft Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System Annual Operating Plan for the 2023-2024 runoff season is now available for public comment. The public comment period...

$7.5 billion federal credit program opens for dam safety projects

9/20/2023

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is accepting applications for a new $7.5 billion credit assistance program, the Corps Water Infrastructure Financing Program (CWIFP), for dam safety projects. By...

Feature Stories

Army water regulators await torrent of winter moisture set to blast the Pacific Northwest

12/1/2023

A stream of atmospheric rivers will be flowing through parts the Pacific Northwest at the beginning of December, drastically changing the region’s most recent crisp, dry autumn – a seemingly strange...

Jack of all trades—cartographer, archivist and pilot all in one

11/30/2023

When asked to describe his job, long-time Kansas City District employee John Atkinson has a humorous response. “Jack of all trades, I guess,” he says. Officially, Atkinson serves as the district’s...

Omaha District, partners successfully complete temporary power mission in San Juan

11/22/2023 UPDATED

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District proudly announced the successful completion of a temporary power mission project in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This Federal Emergency Management Agency led...

Mill Creek restoration an example of interagency collaboration and innovation

11/17/2023

At approximately 9:30 p.m. on the evening of December 7, 2022, a pressure drop in the Keystone Pipeline system was reported by TC Energy Corporation. Not long after the reported pressure drop, a...

Wilson Lake park ranger provides extraordinary skillset

11/2/2023

Park rangers are valuable teammates of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District, as they are at the front lines working at our lake projects to ensure the public can utilize and enjoy...

Shaping the future of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant

10/25/2023

Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, located in Independence, Missouri, is the largest producer of small-arms munitions within the Department of Defense, turning out over a billion rounds of ammunition...

The 249th Engineer Battalion participates in the 2023 International Lineman's Rodeo

10/25/2023

On an overcast October morning, the 249th Engineer Battalion, Prime Power, came together with linemen from across the globe at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs,...

News from Around the Northwestern Division

Army water regulators await torrent of winter moisture set to blast the Pacific Northwest

Jack of all trades—cartographer, archivist and pilot all in one

Omaha District, partners successfully complete temporary power mission in San Juan

Mill Creek restoration an example of interagency collaboration and innovation

Wilson Lake park ranger provides extraordinary skillset

Shaping the future of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant

The 249th Engineer Battalion participates in the 2023 International Lineman's Rodeo

Dwindling capacity at Tuttle Creek Reservoir calls for an urgent and innovative solution

Garrison Project hosts industry day for largest dam safety modification project in USACE history

Peaks and valleys: Northwestern Division leverages regional project sharing to complete the mission

Omaha District Real Estate completes 783 compliance inspections in FY23

Proud to be Americano: Andy Guzman celebrates his Hispanic heritage

Lyle Wold: 50 years of public service, would he ever retire?

Project Snowpack, innovating future floodplain weather prediction

Paddling the distance

Kansas City District, Missouri Silver Jackets host extreme-flood response tabletop exercise

Kansas City District continues legacy of dedicated work on the Lewis and Clark Center at Fort Leavenworth

Ready, willing and able: Kansas City District’s Debris Planning and Response Team ready to respond when disaster strikes

The intern experience— Omaha District hosts 23 engineering students

More than mandatory – Omaha District trains new employees to encourage a growth mindset

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Latest News Releases

Gavins Point Dam releases to be reduced to winter release rate

Army Corps of Engineers waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Veterans Day

Reminder for Missouri River Basin fall public meetings

September runoff near average; Drought conditions continue in Missouri River Basin

Pacific lamprey returns eclipsing other years

Now Available: Draft Missouri River Operating Plan; Possible Fort Peck test flow; Fall public meeting schedule

$7.5 billion federal credit program opens for dam safety projects

Feature Stories

Army water regulators await torrent of winter moisture set to blast the Pacific Northwest

Jack of all trades—cartographer, archivist and pilot all in one

Omaha District, partners successfully complete temporary power mission in San Juan

Mill Creek restoration an example of interagency collaboration and innovation

Wilson Lake park ranger provides extraordinary skillset

Shaping the future of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant

The 249th Engineer Battalion participates in the 2023 International Lineman's Rodeo