Great Lakes and Ohio River Division News

Adventure awaits as camping season returns to Cumberland River Basin

Chris Grissett — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:49:24 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 13, 2026) – As spring warms the Southeast, the Cumberland River Basin is officially open for adventure. Known as one of the region’s premier outdoor destinations, the basin invites travelers to trade screen time for sunshine across a sprawling network of more than 20,000 miles of scenic rivers and streams.

One mission. One team. One build.

Charles Delano — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:40:16 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.

More Than Just Cost-Cutting: Finding the 'Hidden Value' in Federal Projects

Avery Schneider — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:38:00 GMT

When people think about engineering, fields like mechanical, civil, structural, and electrical often come to mind. Fewer, perhaps, would put the word “value” before it. Yet, for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, value engineering is a critical discipline focused on maximizing project function while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used as efficiently as possible. To shed light on this important process and its impact, the Buffalo District's new District Value Officer, Emma Crooks, sat down for an interview.

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.

Nashville District assistant district counsel earns national award

Noe Gonzalez — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:34:00 GMT

Kathryn Morris, assistant district counsel for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Nashville District, receives the prestigious E. Manning Seltzer Award, an honor recognizing her as one of the top attorneys in the enterprise. Morris earns the award for her successful defense of USACE in high-stakes federal litigation, her leadership in training regulatory specialists and her creation of the Nashville District’s legal externship program for law students. Her work on complex cases, such as the Tennessee Gas Pipeline challenge, and her commitment to mentoring set a new standard of excellence within the federal legal community.

Building Infrastructure Not Paperwork: Montgomery Locks and Dam batch plant lab gets certified

By Carol Vernon — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 19:06:21 GMT

Let’s start with some basics, concrete versus cement. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but they shouldn’t be – and they are definitely NOT the same thing. Cement is a powder made from limestone and clay, used as a binder. Concrete is a mixture of cement, water, sand, and aggregates such as gravel, forming a strong construction material. In short, cement is a key ingredient in concrete. Concrete is a key ingredient in the construction of a new lock chamber at Montgomery Locks and Dam on the Ohio River.

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.

Rangers complete readiness training, gear up for recreation season

Lee Roberts — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:15:42 GMT

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (March 17, 2026) – In preparation for the 2026 recreation season, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District hosted its annual Park Ranger Workshop March 10–12 at Chattanooga State Community College. More than 50 rangers representing 10 lakes headed to the Erlanger Health Science Center for critical instruction on wilderness first aid, visitor assistance, and encroachment management, ensuring they are fully equipped to handle the complexities of shoreline management, public engagement, and water safety this year.

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.

Nashville District employees receive Star of Life Awards

Lee Roberts — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 20:38:16 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 6, 2026) – In a ceremony marked by gratitude and somber reflection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District commander presented "Star of Life" awards yesterday to seven employees whose quick thinking and decisive actions saved lives at three Cumberland River dams in 2025.

Friday the Thirteenth Struck New Cumberland Locks and Dam - the Operators Fixed It Anyway

Andrew Byrne — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Friday, Feb. 13, was a day many people spent their evenings urgently buying last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts and pretending that was the plan all along. On the Ohio River, a navigation facility crew was dealing with a different urgent matter: one of New Cumberland Locks and Dam’s locks was not locking.

Mission Uninterrupted: How the Louisville District weathered the freeze

Pentagon News — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:35:27 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.

Newest licensed professionals celebrated for National Engineers Week

Lee Roberts — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 21:18:01 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 26, 2025) – As part of National Engineers Week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District recognized its newest licensed professionals yesterday by affixing nameplates onto the “Registered Professional Personnel” board as a record of achievement for all to see at the district headquarters.

Leaders recognize graduates at finish line of Supervisor Training Program

Supriti Jaya Ghosh — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 19:45:00 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 26, 2026) -- A dozen supervisors crossed the finish line of a rigorous nine-month journey yesterday. During a formal graduation ceremony, they received certificates of completion — well-earned recognition for their dedication to the Supervisor Training Program.

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

Michael Maddox — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:24:09 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.

Engineer performing surgical overhaul of Wilson auxiliary lock recounts career path

Lee Roberts — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:50:00 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 25, 2025) – When the Wilson Lock’s main chamber went offline last year, the Tennessee River’s heartbeat depended entirely on its aging auxiliary system. To keep barge traffic moving, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers crews worked around the clock to maintain the "double lift" lockage. Today, that marathon continues as Mechanical Engineer Peter McDonald and his team return to the auxiliary lock for a surgical overhaul. The mission: replacing critical hydraulic cylinders and the complex web of piping, pins, and A-frame assemblies that power the lock's massive filling and emptying valves.

Division commander’s visit highlights people, partnerships in mission delivery

Noe Gonzalez — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 22:57:21 GMT

Col. Daniel J. Herlihy, commander of the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, visited the Nashville District to gain an in-depth understanding of its complex infrastructure projects by speaking directly with the people managing them. His tour included a stop at Center Hill Dam, where a critical spillway gate replacement is underway in partnership with American Bridge Company to ensure public safety, and the Chickamauga Lock, where a new lock is being built to significantly increase navigation efficiency. Throughout the visit, Herlihy emphasized that the success of these modernizations depends on the quality of the people and strong partnerships, recognizing several employees for their excellence and stating his priorities are to "continue to deliver, and to take care of each other.

New Fort Campbell child development center modernizes care for Army families

Charles Delano — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:25:06 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.

USACE Pittsburgh District Receives National Award for Montgomery Lock Project Delivery

Andrew Byrne — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:44:41 GMT

Enduring infrastructure is not built in a day – nor is it built by one person. It is built by a team that shares purpose, expertise, and trust, all working together towards a higher ambition.