Great Lakes and Ohio River Division News

Light Capacity Fleet Supports Critical Repairs at Cannelton Lock and Dam

Marti Allen — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:41:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Light Capacity Fleet plays an important role in maintaining critical navigation infrastructure across the Tennessee, Cumberland, and Ohio rivers. Based out of Old Hickory, Tennessee, at the Cumberland River Operations Center, the regional fleet supports locks and dams by completing repairs on culvert valves, miter gates, roller gates, and other essential components that help keep river traffic moving.

USACE Louisville District breaks ground on $11.6M substation to secure Rock Island Arsenal manufacturing

Charles Delano — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:31:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District partnered with leaders from the Rock Island Arsenal and the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center to break ground on an $11.6 million electrical infrastructure upgrade. The construction replaces a legacy 1975 primary electrical substation with a modernized system designed to support the installation's projected energy demands.

Modernized visiting quarters project breaks ground at Wright-Patterson AFB

Charles Delano — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:18:00 GMT

A groundbreaking ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base recently marked the start of construction on a modernized, five-story visiting quarters and four temporary lodging facilities.

USACE river infrastructure paves the way for ODOT’s Brent Spence Bridge project

Charles Delano — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:25:00 GMT

According to the Ohio Department of Transportation phrase "I'll believe it when I see it" has been used for more than 20 years to describe. the long-awaited Brent Spence Bridge corridor project being managed by the state agency Now, residents finally see progress. The arrival of the tugboat Elizabeth Ann and its heavy-lift crane barge has signaled the official start of construction for the $4.05 billion companion bridge project connecting Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky. A project the Louisville District helped support in an unexpected way.

Prime Power Soldiers maintain inland waterways infrastructure America relies on

Kelsie Hall — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:11:00 GMT

Locks and dams are critical components of the nation’s inland waterway system, but it is the electrical infrastructure behind them that keeps operations running safely and efficiently around the clock. Without reliable electrical systems, the millions of tons of commodities that move along the Ohio River system each year could face significant disruptions, jeopardizing America’s economy and critical supply chains.

Pollinators play important role in nature and society

Michael Maddox — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:51:00 GMT

Pollinators like butterflies are not only beautiful to look at but they play an important role in the ecosystem. As the flowers start to bloom every spring, thousands of insects, and some mammals, also appear to not only find nectar, but also help with spreading pollen to other flowers.

Safety First: Rough River project team prioritizes safety ahead of blasting operations

Michael Maddox — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:46:00 GMT

Team members on the Rough River Dam Safety Modification project recently took part in a Rock Blasting Quality Assurance for Construction Personnel training to learn more about blasting operations on construction projects. The training, held May 18-22 in Louisville, Kentucky, provided an orientation to USACE Louisville District construction personnel on how to perform essential checks on the plans and field work during blasting operations. Surface and underwater rock blasting is part of the work on Phase II of the Rough River Dam Safety Modification project in Falls of Rough, Kentucky.

Spring drought contributes to lower lake levels across Kentucky

Abby Korfhage — Fri, 22 May 2026 15:56:00 GMT

Visitors to several lakes managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District may notice lower-than-normal water levels heading into the summer recreation season as ongoing spring drought conditions continue impacting much of Kentucky. Lakes within the Green River and Upper Kentucky River basins, including Rough River Lake, Barren River Lake, Nolin River Lake, and others across the region, are experiencing below-average pool levels due to significantly reduced spring rainfall.

LittCarr Campground reopens at Carr Creek Lake after historic flooding

Abby Korfhage — Thu, 21 May 2026 14:56:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District has reopened Littcarr Campground at Carr Creek Lake in Sassafras, Kentucky. The campground welcomed its first campers back last month following an extended closure caused by historic flooding that severely damaged recreation facilities. For the team at USACE, reopening Littcarr represents far more than completing a construction project — it marks a major milestone in the recovery of a place generations of families have enjoyed for years.

Rising waters, rising to the challenge: USACE Louisville District hosts 2026 levee safety meeting

Kelsie Hall — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:21:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District hosted its 2026 Levee Safety Meeting, bringing together more than 100 attendees to strengthen regional flood risk management and levee safety efforts at the University of Louisville’s ShelbyHurst Campus, Feb. 24. The event, which began in 2008 and typically occurs biennially, included levee sponsors, as well as their partners, like maintenance staff and Architect/Engineer firms they routinely work with, and vendors who can assist with operations and maintenance.

One mission. One team. One build.

Charles Delano — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:40:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District completed construction and turned over the newly built Joint Operations and Mission Planning Center to mission partners at Scott Air Force Base, March 9, 2026. The $111.3 million, 171,804-square-foot facility will be used to plan and execute strategic operations for the Air Force Rapid Global Mobility mission.

Students build more than a fence at Patoka Lake

Pentagon News — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:40:00 GMT

The overlook at Patoka Lake has long provided visitors with a clear, unobstructed view of the water and surrounding landscape. But as time took its toll on the aging wooden railing surrounding the viewing area, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers needed a solution to maintain the popular spot.

Generators will ensure continuous care at Louisville VA Medical Center

Michael Maddox — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:46:00 GMT

Hospitals and medical centers need the ability to provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, no matter the status of utilities in the surrounding area. The new Louisville VA Medical Center is being built with this in mind. That is why the Central Utility Plant on the hospital property is essential in ensuring veterans will be able to continue to receive care in the event of any local emergency situations that may disrupt power to the medical center. Along with boilers and chillers, the Central Utility Plant will house several generators that can be used if local power is not available.

USACE prescribes ‘good fire’ to spark landscape renewal

Charles Delano — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:58:00 GMT

Late winter and early spring mark a strategic time for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District. During this dormant season, crews take advantage of narrow weather windows to ignite prescribed burns across district lake projects to manage fuel loads and support native ecosystems.

140 years of Building Strong: Louisville District’s legacy of engineering and public service

Abby Korfhage — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:42:00 GMT

This year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District celebrates a 140-year legacy of engineering excellence and public service, built on innovation, resilience and an unwavering commitment to serving the nation. The district’s story begins long before its official establishment, born from the challenges of navigating the treacherous Falls of the Ohio. During the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the importance of navigating the Ohio River highlighted the need for river improvements. As commerce and settlement expanded westward, reliable river navigation became critical to the nation’s growth.

Mission Uninterrupted: How the Louisville District weathered the freeze

Pentagon News — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:35:00 GMT

Last month, a widespread winter storm wreaked havoc across the region, bringing hazardous conditions, heavy ice and prolonged freezing temperatures to the Ohio River Basin. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District personnel worked around the clock to maintain safe and reliable operations despite the severe winter weather.

Louisville District holds public meeting on Phase 2 of the Rough River Dam Safety Modification project

Michael Maddox — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:24:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District hosted an informational public meeting to provide an update on Phase 2 of the Rough River Dam Safety Modification project at Rough River Lake in Falls of Rough, Kentucky Feb. 24, 2026.

New Fort Campbell child development center modernizes care for Army families

Charles Delano — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:25:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, recently completed a comprehensive renovation of the Child Development Center at Fort Campbell. This facility, known as “CDC 3071,” with a contract cost of $13.6 million, provides a modernized, safe and state-of-the-art environment for the youngest members of the Fort Campbell community.

Modernizing the mission: New hygiene facility at Fort Knox supports Army readiness

Charles Delano — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 13:48:00 GMT

For the thousands of U.S. Army ROTC cadets who converge on Fort Knox every summer, the "CST” or Cadet Summer Training experience is a rite of passage. According to the U.S. Army Cadet Command, the event is the Army’s largest annual training event, serving as the final crucible before the students commission as officers. While the training is designed to be rigorous and often primitive, the infrastructure supporting it is undergoing modernization to ensure health, morale and mission readiness.

Louisville District hosts annual Open House for industry partners

Abby Korfhage — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:54:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District hosted its annual Open House Feb. 4 in Louisville, Kentucky, bringing together industry partners and key district leaders to discuss the district's mission, upcoming business opportunities, and efforts to work more effectively with industry in delivering our diverse program.