4 Aug 2020

Great Lakes water levels reaching peaks for the year

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces each of the Great Lakes, except Lake Superior, have likely reached their peak water levels for the year and are predicted to decline. Lakes Michigan-Huron set another new monthly mean record high water level in July, however the water level is expected to slowly drop the rest of the year. Water levels on Lakes St. Clair, Erie and Ontario all continued to decline last month, with no new records set on those lakes in July. The water level of Lake Superior is expected to peak next month before entering its period of typical seasonal decline. “While we expect water levels to decline across most of the Great Lakes, levels still remain extremely high,” said John Allis, chief of the Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office, Detroit District.

27 Jul 2020

Wisconsin company to dredge Duluth-Superior Harbor

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, awarded a contract for dredging at Duluth-Superior Harbor in western Lake Superior on the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. The more than $2 million contract was awarded to Roen Salvage Co., from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The contract (award number W911XK20C0014) is to dredge approximately 120,000 cubic yards of material from the harbor. Approximately 52,000 cubic yards of the mostly sandy material will be placed along North Minnesota Point shoreline and approximately 68,000 cubic yards of material will be placed at Interstate Island. Dredging will begin in August and will be complete by mid-November.

27 Jul 2020

Wisconsin company to dredge Duluth-Superior Harbor

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, awarded a contract for dredging at Duluth-Superior Harbor in western Lake Superior on the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. The more than $2 million contract was awarded to Roen Salvage Co., from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The contract (award number W911XK20C0014) is to dredge approximately 120,000 cubic yards of material from the harbor. Approximately 52,000 cubic yards of the mostly sandy material will be placed along North Minnesota Point shoreline and approximately 68,000 cubic yards of material will be placed at Interstate Island. Dredging will begin in August and will be complete by mid-November.

24 Jul 2020

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Detroit welcomes new commander

Lt. Col. Scott Katalenich assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, today, Friday, July 24, in a Change of Command ceremony rich with symbolism and heritage. Katalenich comes to Detroit after receiving a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil & Environmental Engineering – Atmosphere/Energy from Stanford University under the Army’s Advanced Civil Schooling Program. Katalenich’s photo and full biography are available on the Detroit District website at: www.lre.usace.army.mil.

23 Jul 2020

Corps’ Detroit office awards dredging contract for Holland Harbor

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, recently awarded a contract for dredging in western Michigan, on Lake Michigan. The Corps awarded a maintenance dredging contract for Holland (Outer) Harbor in June to Luedtke Engineering Company from Frankfort, Michigan. The contract (award number W911 XK20C0012) was for more than $455,000 to dredge almost 49,000 cubic yards of material from Holland (Outer) Harbor. Material from the site will be placed near the shoreline in the most landward eight foot depth starting north of the breakwater. “This important work will keep the shipping channel open as part of the Great Lakes Navigation System as an economically and environmentally viable means of transporting commodities,” said Bob Jarema, project manager.

18 Jun 2020

Multiple river dredging contracts awarded

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, recently awarded contracts for maintenance dredging of the Detroit River, Saginaw River and St. Clair River all in Michigan. The contracts were separately awarded to Morrish-Wallace Construction Inc., of Cheboygan, Michigan, (d.b.a.) Ryba Marine Construction. These dredging projects help maintain the Great Lakes navigational channel to keep cargo moving – products like iron ore, limestone, coal and cement.

12 Jun 2020

Great Lakes water levels still setting records

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces that Lakes Michigan, Huron, St. Clair and Erie set new monthly mean water level records for May 2020. These water level records were previously set in 1986 on Lakes Michigan and Huron and just last year in 2019 on Lakes St. Clair and Erie. As we enter the summer months, all of the lakes are either in their period of seasonal rise or are reaching their peak, except Lake Ontario, which will likely begin its seasonal decline this month. Although most of the month was dry, the middle of May brought heavy rainfall to some areas of the basin, resulting in a wetter than average month for the Michigan-Huron and Erie basins. In the coming months, water levels are projected to continue to be near or above record high water levels on all of the lakes, except Lake Ontario. Significant erosion and flooding continues in many locations as water levels remain extremely high. “The water level of Lakes Michigan and Huron has now risen above the peak level that was reached last year,” said John Allis, chief of the Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office, Detroit District.

26 May 2020

Shutterbugs invited to submit photos from Great Lakes sites

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, invites the public to participate in their annual photo contest. Entries are now being accepted through 11:59 p.m. June 7 and should feature Great Lakes’ sites such as the Soo Locks, Duluth Ship Canal, piers, breakwaters or federal harbors on the Great Lakes. The top 12 photographers will have their photo included in a 2021 downloadable calendar and the top three photographers, determined by social media vote, will receive a plaque with their winning photo, provided by the Soo Locks Visitors Center Association.

22 May 2020

Detroit District set to assist state assessments of dam failures and flooding impacts

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, has assembled and deployed teams to mid-Michigan tasked with completing site assessments and evaluating dams impacted by severe weather. After a request by the State of Michigan, the Detroit District is performing technical assistance for Midland and Gladwin Counties. Coordination is ongoing with state and local leadership to identify opportunities to provide technical expertise in assessing the conditions of the dams on the Tittabawassee River and to reduce further risk of failure.

12 May 2020

Record water levels set, watching spring

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces that Lakes Michigan, Huron, St. Clair and Erie set new monthly mean water level records for April 2020, which were previously set in 1985 or 1986. All of the lakes are either in their period of seasonal rise or are reaching their peak, as we continue into the late spring and summer. Although the end of April brought heavy rainfall to some areas of the basin, the month as a whole was quite dry for the Great Lakes region. During the spring, water levels typically rise on the Great Lakes due to increased rainfall and runoff. In the coming months, water levels are projected to continue to be near or above record high water levels on all of the lakes, except Lake Ontario. Significant erosion and flooding continues in many locations as water levels remain extremely high.