Great Lakes and Ohio River Division News Releases

USACE Nashville District seeks public input on Pigeon River Flood Study

Press Operations — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:21:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District, invites the public to a meeting on Wednesday, May 6, at Waynesville Town Hall to share ideas for the Pigeon River Flood Risk Management Study. This multi-year study, conducted in partnership with the towns of Canton, Clyde, and Waynesville, as well as Haywood County and the Southwestern Commission, seeks to identify effective solutions to reduce flood risk and improve community resilience. All community members are encouraged to attend and share their firsthand accounts of flooding to help find the best way to protect homes, businesses, and public safety in the watershed.

Corps of Engineers Awards Contract to Dredge Cleveland Harbor in 2026

Press Operations — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:34:57 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District awarded an $11.7 million contract to New York-based DMYLES, Inc. on April 9 to conduct dredging of the federal navigation channel in Cleveland Harbor twice this year. Dredging of harbors like Cleveland’s ensures accessible depths for large vessels, the continued flow of commodities across the Great Lakes, and nearly $789 million in business revenue and labor income for the region.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Begins Excavation at Shallow Land Disposal Area

Press Operations — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:28:50 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announces the start of physical remediation (excavation) at the Shallow Land Disposal Area (SLDA), marking a major milestone in efforts to safely address legacy radiological waste and protect nearby communities and the environment.

2026 Operations Schedule for Black Rock Lock

Press Operations — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:41:36 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Buffalo District is announcing the Black Rock Lock operations schedule for the 2026 navigation season. The Black Rock Lock is one of three lock systems operated and maintained by USACE on the U.S. side of the Great Lakes and saw more than 1,002 vessels and 80.2 tons of commerce pass through its gates in 2025.

USACE awards second contract for Brandon Road Interbasin Project

Press Operations — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:28:46 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) awarded the second contract for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project on April 11. The $113.8 million contract will complete the remainder of the project’s Increment I. The Brandon Road Interbasin Project is a complex ecosystem restoration project with innovative technological deterrents, designed to prevent invasive carp and other aquatic nuisance species from moving upstream into the Great Lakes while minimizing impacts to Illinois Waterway users. The project will be largely implemented within the downstream approach channel to the Brandon Road Lock & Dam in Joliet, Ill.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Opens Upgraded Chicago Harbor Lock for 2026 Season

Press Operations — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 18:30:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Chicago District will re-open the Chicago Harbor Lock on April 15 after completing off-season repairs. This event kicks off the summer boating season at one of the most active locks in the nation.

Soo Locks to host Engineers Day 2026

Press Operations — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:02:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District in conjunction with the City of Sault Ste. Marie, the Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Lake Superior State University Center for Freshwater Research and Education, Hospice of the Eastern Upper Peninsula, and Superior Health Systems are hosting open house events for the 2026 Soo Locks Engineers Day on June 26. “Visitors will not be able to cross the locks this year due to increased construction activity and evolving security protocols,” said LeighAnn Ryckeghem, Soo Project Office Operations Manager. “There will be a variety of unique exhibits in the park for visitors to learn about the Soo Locks as well as several stakeholder and partner missions.”

USACE seeks proposals for Challenge Cost-Sharing Cooperative Management Agreement for Barren River Lake’s Tailwater Campground Recreation Area

Press Operations — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:45:50 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District is seeking proposals from Non-Federal Public Entities to enter a Challenge Cost-Sharing Cooperative Management Agreement (CCSCMA) for the purpose of co-managing recreational sites with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The recreational site under consideration is located at Barren River Lake and includes the Tailwater Campground in Allen County, Kentucky.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District Connects with Industry Professionals at Annual Business Opportunity Open House

Press Operations — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:35:14 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Chicago District, hosted its highly anticipated Business Opportunity Open House today, welcoming 127 representatives from 95 contracting, architectural, and engineering firms across the region. The event provided a vital forum for industry professionals to connect with District leadership and learn about dozens of upcoming projects detailed in the District’s 2026 acquisition forecast.

Lockport Lock Scheduled Closure for Critical Repair

Press Operations — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 06:30:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will conduct critical repairs to Lockport Lock and Dam requiring a scheduled closure of the lock chamber from March 31 through May 19, 2026.

Corps of Engineers Delivering Critical Repairs to Great Sodus Bay Breakwater

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:59:00 GMT

Final work is getting underway this week on critical repairs to the Great Sodus Bay East Breakwater. The 100% federally funded project is part of a two-year, $6.7 million project, ensuring the harbor’s viability and its contributions to the local and national economy, as well as protection of some of the area’s best waterfront opportunities.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeks public comments on potential future changes to the nationwide permits

Press Operations — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:02:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced on March 16 that it is seeking input from all interested parties on ways to increase the efficiency of the nationwide permit program. Nationwide permits authorize activities that are similar in nature and cause no more than minimal adverse environmental impacts to jurisdictional aquatic resources separately or on a cumulative basis. Activities range from work associated with aids to navigation and utility lines to residential developments and maintenance activities.

USACE announces temporary closure of public access to McAlpine Locks and Dam Training Center and overlook area

Press Operations — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:33:00 GMT

Due to increased force protection conditions, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is temporarily closing all public access to the McAlpine Locks and Dam Training Center and Shippingport Island, effective immediately.

Soo Locks to open for 2026 shipping season

Press Operations — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:20:52 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District will open the Poe Lock, part of the Soo Locks, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to all marine traffic at 12:01 a.m. EST on March 25, marking the start of the 2026 Great Lakes shipping season. Federal regulation (33 CFR 207.440) establishes the operating season based on the feasibility of vessels operating during typical Great Lakes ice conditions.

J. Percy Priest Dam requires daily road closures March 9-13

Press Operations — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:00:34 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 25, 2026) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District announces Bell Road across J. Percy Priest Dam will temporarily close 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday from March 9-13, 2026.

Pittsburgh District and Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission to kick off Chartiers Creek Feasibility Study

Press Operations — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:34:18 GMT

Col. Nicholas Melin, commander of the Pittsburgh District, will sign a cost-share agreement with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission to conduct a flood risk-management feasibility study of the Chartiers Creek watershed in Allegheny and Washington counties.

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works announces ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ initiative for the Army’s Civil Works program

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:59:00 GMT

On Feb. 23, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam R. Telle announced a major initiative, “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” for the Army’s Civil Works program. The Pittsburgh District is advancing the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works’ directive to modernize business processes, leverage data-driven intelligence and actively reduce red tape across its core missions through the initiative.

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works announces ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ initiative for the Army’s Civil Works program

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:52:00 GMT

Today, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam R. Telle announced a major initiative, “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” for the Army’s Civil Works program.

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works announces ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ initiative for the Army’s Civil Works program

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:33:00 GMT

Today, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam R. Telle announced a major initiative, “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” for the Army’s Civil Works program. “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” will provide greater focus on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) core Civil Works missions, while minimizing non-core programs, direct funding to priority water resources projects that will provide the greatest benefits to the nation, shorten permitting timelines, and reduce or eliminate extraneous regulations and paperwork that slow USACE’s delivery of Civil Works projects and programs.

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works announces ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ initiative for the Army’s Civil Works program

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:01:00 GMT

DETROIT – Today, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam R. Telle announced a major initiative, “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” for the Army’s Civil Works program. “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” will provide greater focus on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) core Civil Works missions, while minimizing non-core programs, direct funding to priority water resources projects that will provide the greatest benefits to the nation, shorten permitting timelines, and reduce or eliminate extraneous regulations and paperwork that slow USACE’s delivery of Civil Works projects and programs.