Great Lakes and Ohio River Division News Releases

Corps of Engineers to begin dredging at outer Grand Haven Harbor

Press Operations — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 20:24:18 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District will begin maintenance dredging operations at outer Grand Haven Harbor as early as July 17, 2026, to remove shoaling from the federal navigation channel at the entrance of the Grand River. The King Co., Inc., based in Holland, Michigan, was previously awarded the contract to perform the hydraulic dredging for $546,000. The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of August.

Buffalo Harbor Dredging Starting; Supports Safe Navigation, the Economy and Future Great Lakes Coastal Wetland

Press Operations — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:24:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, will begin dredging operations in Buffalo Harbor to maintain safe and navigable waterways for Great Lakes commercial vessels, cruise ships, recreational boaters and other harbor users on Lake Erie. The Buffalo District awarded a $2.3 million contract in April 2026 to Michigan-based Ryba Marine Construction Co. to complete the work. Dredging operations are expected to start as early as July 18 and will contribute to the creation of a new Great Lakes wetland in Buffalo’s outer harbor.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes new commander to Detroit District

Press Operations — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 23:48:12 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District transitioned leadership in a Change of Command ceremony Thursday, July 16, 2026, at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. Lt. Col. Donald K. Lew assumed command from Lt. Col. Wallace W. Bandeff in front of about 200 regional leaders and guests. Brig. Gen. Daniel J. Herlihy, USACE Great Lakes and Ohio River Division commander, presided over the ceremony.

Ongoing USACE improvements to Keweenaw Waterway Breakwater continue through summer

Press Operations — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 10:35:37 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Detroit District, is requesting beach traffic park at a nearby pavilion during its $1.8 million critical infrastructure modifications to the breakwater at the Keweenaw Waterway Upper Entrance near Houghton, Michigan. Ongoing construction began in late June and is expected to be complete by Oct. 1.

Pittsburgh District, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission to host open house meetings for initial Chartiers Creek watershed study proposals

Press Operations — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:50:00 GMT

The U.S. Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District (USACE) and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) will co-host multiple open house-style meetings for the public to learn about the progress and early considerations of the Chartiers Creek feasibility study. Representatives from USACE and SPC will be available at stations to answer questions about the study, discuss proposed risk-reduction measures, and collect community feedback on the study’s direction.

Corps of Engineers Continues Critical Repairs to Bird Island Pier

Press Operations — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 18:35:00 GMT

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District has awarded Great Lakes Dock and Marine and Ryba Marine Construction Co. for repairs to the Bird Island Pier along the Niagara River, totaling $15.52 million, ensuring safe navigation, a strong regional economy, and protection of the City of Buffalo’s main drinking water source.

Corps of Engineers to conduct armor stone placement at Grand Haven south pierhead

Press Operations — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 17:25:41 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be conducting structural stabilization work at the Grand Haven south pierhead between July 9-13. This project will require temporary closures to pedestrian traffic near the lighthouse to ensure public safety.

Corps of Engineers seeks office lease proposals in Nashville area

Press Operations — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:02:18 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 2, 2026) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District invites real estate professionals and property owners to submit potential office space solutions in the Nashville area.

Corps of Engineers begins dredging and research operations in St. Joseph Harbor

Press Operations — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:03:24 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, will commence maintenance dredging in the outer harbor of St. Joseph, Michigan, in early July. Viking Marine Construction, LLC., of Holland, Michigan, will dredge approximately 83,000 cubic yards of sediment from the federal navigation channel in the harbor. The hydraulic dredging will use a submerged pipeline to move sediment a half mile south of the harbor. The project is scheduled to be completed at the end of August.

Repair Work Continues on Dunkirk Breakwater

Press Operations — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 11:41:03 GMT

The Dunkirk outer breakwater rehabilitation project continues this summer as the first phase of repairs nears completion. The breakwater is critical to safe navigation in Dunkirk Harbor and has sustained damage from years of wave and ice exposure. The first phase of repairs fixed approximately 1,850 feet of the structure, with a second phase ongoing now through November 2026 to repair the remaining 450 feet.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District Welcomes New Commander

Press Operations — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:06:43 GMT

Lt. Col. Aaron Anderson, a Muskegon, Michigan native and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District on June 26. Anderson will lead the district's more than 300 team members, responsible for projects in 35 commercial and recreational Great Lakes harbors, environmental remediation of sites contaminated by the Manhattan Project, operation of the Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area and the historic Black Rock Lock, as well as many other roles across more than 38,000 square miles.

USACE waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Army Corps of Engineers’ Birthday

Press Operations — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 20:31:48 GMT

In observance of its birthday on June 16, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is waiving day-use fees, specifically covering boat launch ramps and swimming beaches, at over 2,800 recreation areas nationwide. This waiver does not apply to camping, specialized facilities, or group events, and visitors are encouraged to confirm site availability before traveling. To locate available sites, including those within the Nashville District which manages 280 recreation sites and hosted over 22.5 million visitors in FY25, the public can utilize the USACE recreation website or Recreation.gov. The Nashville District maintains critical civil works and water resource operations across seven states, balancing flood risk, navigation, hydropower, and recreation.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Army Corps’ birthday

Press Operations — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:30:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District announces it will waive day-use fees at all district-operated recreation areas in observance of the Army Corps’ birthday, June 16.

Corps of Engineers, City of Buffalo, and Buffalo Sewer Authority Sign Agreement to Protect City’s Only Wastewater Treatment Facility

Press Operations — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:16:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, the City of Buffalo, and the Buffalo Sewer

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers re-opens the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center shoreline in Canal Park

Press Operations — Wed, 27 May 2026 18:04:06 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers re-opens the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center shoreline in Canal Park with a ceremony on June 4, 2026, from 11-11:30 a.m., CDT outside of the Visitor Center. The re-opening ceremony will celebrate the completion of a $3 million construction project to improve the shoreline.

USACE awards Brandon Road Interbasin Project design services

Press Operations — Thu, 21 May 2026 20:52:03 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a Single Award Task Order Contract (SATOC) to obtain critical design, engineering, and analytical services to advance the Brandon Road Interbasin Project (BRIP). Black & Veatch-Stantec BRIP JV, of Overland Park, Kansas, was awarded the contract on April 23, for architect-engineer services to support the project.

Soo Locks airspace restrictions remain active, violations subject to enforcement

Press Operations — Thu, 21 May 2026 16:02:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District reminds the public that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has designated the airspace over the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan as restricted airspace. Under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §99.7, unauthorized drone operations over the Soo Locks are prohibited due to national security, defense, and public safety concerns. The FAA issued a Special Security Instruction (SSI) to help protect the Soo Locks and surrounding critical infrastructure. See figure 1.

Center Hill Dam road closure scheduled for May 28

Press Operations — Wed, 20 May 2026 19:51:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is closing State Highway 141/96 at Center Hill Dam on Thursday, May 28, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to allow crews to safely move heavy equipment for spillway gate replacements. The closure facilitates the ongoing rehabilitation of spillway gates to upgrade flood risk and water management infrastructure within the Cumberland River Basin.

Dale Hollow Lake recertifies ‘Clean Marinas’

Press Operations — Wed, 20 May 2026 14:03:00 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May. 20, 2026) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District announces that officials recertified Willow Grove Resort & Marina and Sunset Marina and Resort as “Clean Marinas” last week at Dale Hollow Lake.

USACE Louisville District shares resources and encourages visitor safety ahead of Memorial Day weekend

Press Operations — Tue, 19 May 2026 18:55:00 GMT

As Memorial Day weekend approaches and visitors prepare to head to area lakes, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District is encouraging the public to stay informed about current lake conditions, water safety and drought impacts across the region.