Great Lakes and Ohio River Division News

Rebuilding History: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Completes Crucial Repairs to Vermilion Harbor Pier

Andre' M. Hampton — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has officially completed repairs to the east pier in Vermilion, Ohio. By finishing the project faster than originally planned, the repair avoided impacting the city’s crucial summer beach and tourism season. This revitalized infrastructure restores essential protection for beachgoers, boaters, and local property, securing the long-term economic viability of the city’s harbor.

Telle navigates infrastructure modernization strategy with TVA at Wilson Lock

Lee Roberts — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:39:47 GMT

FLORENCE, Ala. (July 27, 2026) – Aimed at strengthening the Tennessee River's vital commercial corridor, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam R. Telle toured Wilson Lock last week to review navigation operations and discuss collaborative infrastructure modernization strategies with the Tennessee Valley Authority.

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.

In feat of engineering precision, massive concrete beams placed at Chickamauga Lock as Upstream Approach Wall Contract reaches major milestone

Noe Gonzalez — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 20:45:24 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District, in partnership with contractor CJ Mahan Construction Co. and McKinney Salvage LLC, has reached a major milestone on the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project under the active Upstream Approach Wall contract by successfully placing the first eight massive, 420-ton precast concrete beams using a dual-derrick barge crane system on the Tennessee River. This current phase of the Upstream Approach Wall contract is on track for completion by early August 2026.

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.

Understanding the life-saving power of your hard hat

Lee Roberts — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 16:56:00 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 11, 2026) – In the high-stakes environments of hydropower plants and active construction sites, safety is not optional. By donning hard hats and securing chin straps, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees actively mitigate risk, maintaining a culture where protection is part of the mission.

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.

USACE and partners make a splash with a successful Fishing Rodeo

Ashley Webster — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:43:48 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers partnered with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Friends of Cordell Hull Lake, and local volunteers to host a successful fishing derby at Roaring River Park. In celebration of Tennessee's Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day, the event expanded beyond its traditional youth-only focus to welcome adult and family participants. To ensure a great experience, TWRA provided catfish for the event, while FOCHL sponsored adult fishing licenses to remove barriers to entry. Ultimately, the community-backed derby successfully promoted outdoor recreation, conservation education, and family engagement at Cordell Hull Lake.

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.

What National Dam Safety Day means for the Cumberland Basin

Lee Roberts — Fri, 29 May 2026 14:12:58 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 29, 2026) – This Sunday marks National Dam Safety Awareness Day, an annual observance dedicated to educating the public about the 10 dams in the Cumberland River Basin, local flood risks, and the vital importance of preparedness for potential dam emergencies.

Corps of Engineers begins multi-phased improvements to Lexington Harbor

Brandon Hubbard — Wed, 27 May 2026 20:39:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Detroit District, will begin a multi-phase project in Lexington Harbor, Michigan with the first phase involving dredging and breakwater revitalization work set to start as early as May 28, weather permitting. Phase One will focus on hydraulic dredging of the outer harbor. The contractor will then mechanically dredge to address shoaling impacting harbor access and the inner federal channel and to re-establish recreational boating access to the inner harbor.

USACE Dredging Supports Safe Navigation and Recreation at Rocky River Harbor

Kaylee Wendt — Wed, 27 May 2026 20:19:01 GMT

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, has begun maintenance

USACE Chicago Crews Conduct Electrofishing Survey on Lake Calumet During 2026 Seasonal Intensive Monitoring; No Invasive Carp Found

Chicago IL — Wed, 27 May 2026 15:02:00 GMT

As part of the 2026 Spring Seasonal Intensive Monitoring (SIM) effort, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) crews conducted specialized electrofishing operations on Lake Calumet during the week of May 11th. Following intensive sampling at 10 locations chosen to maximize detection within high-probability habitats across the lake, crews reported that no bighead or silver carp were captured or observed during the mission.

Behind the Response: Inside USACE Chicago District Emergency Management

Pentagon News — Tue, 26 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

A crucial part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) mission involves responding to emergencies. USACE Emergency Management teams respond during times of need not only within their immediate areas, but also by supporting other districts—sometimes on a global scale. They provide engineering, construction, and water resources expertise to mitigate property damage and loss of life during disasters. Authorized to fulfill direct requests for assistance from states, USACE provides technical support for public facilities, infrastructure, and residential and commercial developments when disaster needs exceed local and state capabilities.

Old locks, new parts: Medium Capacity Fleet performs repairs at C.W. Bill Young Lock and Dam

Andrew Byrne — Tue, 26 May 2026 16:55:47 GMT

The phrase “if you take care of things, they last” is true for a lot of things: antique cars, home appliances and even relationships. It’s also true for inland navigation infrastructure built before World War II.

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.

Stay alert on Corps lakes and rivers this summer

Christopher Grissett — Thu, 21 May 2026 20:23:00 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 21, 2026) – As summer recreation kicks off over the Memorial Day weekend across the Cumberland River Basin, officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District are urging visitors to wear life jackets and stay safe recreating on the region’s lakes and rivers.