8 Sep 2025

Survey of Trees at Old Fort Niagara Helps Shape Future Shoreline Protection

BUFFALO, N.Y. – A recent survey of trees at Old Fort Niagara in Porter, NY, completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, is helping guide the future of shoreline protection along Lake Ontario, where natural preservation is combined with historic preservation. The district conducted a comprehensive tree survey within the project area for the Old Fort Niagara Emergency Shoreline Stabilization project, which is focused on mitigating wave action that threatens the fort's 18th and 19th-century structures, including the French Castle. The survey was coordinated in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which manages the site.

4 Sep 2025

Keeping the Harbors Strong: The Breakwater Assessment Team Protects Great Lakes Infrastructure

The Great Lakes are more than scenic, they are vital to the U.S. and Canadian economies. Together, the ports, harbors and channels that make up the Great Lakes Navigation System support nearly 238,000 jobs and generate more than $28 billion in business revenue each year. From raw materials fueling manufacturing plants to the flow of goods and tourism that sustain local communities, this system touches nearly every part of daily life in the region.

13 Aug 2025

USACE Buffalo District Embraces Building Information Modeling to Modernize Facilities Across Their Life Cycle

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District has implemented Building Information Modeling across its design and construction projects, marking a significant shift in how infrastructure is delivered and maintained throughout its operational life. BIM is a process that integrates 3D modeling with digital data management to improve the efficiency, accuracy and sustainability of construction projects. Originally emerging in the architecture and construction industries in the early 1990s, BIM was developed to consolidate all graphical and non-graphical aspects of a building into a single, intelligent model.

8 Jul 2025

Engineering a Future: Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

(BUFFALO, N.Y.) July 8, 2025 – Liam Dimick, a student trainee with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, has taken a significant step toward his goal of becoming a licensed professional engineer by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. The 6-hour, 110 question exam has been administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying since 1965.

13 Jun 2025

Inside the Mission of the Buffalo District Regulatory Branch

From Lake Erie to the wetlands of upstate New York, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District’s Regulatory Branch is playing a crucial role in preserving the nation’s aquatic resources — all while balancing the needs of progress and development. At its core, the Regulatory Branch’s mission is about balance, “We aim to serve the public by balancing the protection and reasonable use of aquatic resources for the nation,” said Shaina Souder, a biologist with the Buffalo District’s Regulatory Branch.

3 Jun 2025

Buffalo District Engineer Recognized as Hard Hat of the Year for Great Lakes and Ohio River Division

(BUFFALO, N.Y.) June 3, 2025 – Each year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers honors excellence in engineering and construction through its prestigious Engineering and Construction Awards Program. Among the various categories recognizing leadership, performance, professional development and community support, the Hard Hat of the Year award celebrates outstanding achievement in construction contract administration management and oversight.

14 May 2025

New Technology Coming to Black Rock Lock: Fiber Reinforced Polymer Bulkheads

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, and the Inland Navigation Design Center are introducing new technology to the Black Rock Lock, Buffalo, New York, with the proposed use of fiber reinforced polymer in the construction of new bulkheads. At a lock, bulkheads are stackable structures used to dewater the chamber for maintenance. Cranes lower the bulkheads into place, and once all seals are verified, the lock can be pumped dry.

7 Mar 2025

Mount Morris Dam Continues History of Flood Risk Prevention

(MOUNT MORRIS, N.Y.) March 7, 2025 – The Mount Morris Dam, built and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, continues to serve as a critical safeguard against flooding in western New York, preventing an estimated $170 million in flood damages in 2024. Located on the Genesee River, at the northern end of Letchworth State Park and just south of Rochester, the dam plays a vital role in flood risk management for communities downstream, protecting over 160,000 residents in the Genesee River 100-Year Flood Plain and more than 200,000 in Rochester. By controlling water flow, the dam helps reduce the risk of severe flooding events that could cause extensive damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure.

10 Feb 2025

Protecting Buffalo’s Harbor: The Vital Role of Breakwaters and Piers

(BUFFALO, N.Y.) Feb. 10, 2025 – Buffalo Harbor, situated on the shores of Lake Erie, is a key piece of commerce, transportation, and recreation in Western New York. At the heart of the harbor’s resilience are its vital infrastructure components, including breakwaters and piers built and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District. Over the last 10 years, more than $74 million has been invested into these structures to protect the harbor, ensuring navigable waterways for economic and community vitality.

14 Jan 2025

That's a Wrap – Black Rock Lock Looks Back on 2024

(BUFALO, N.Y.) Jan. 17, 2025 – The Black Rock Lock has wrapped up an eventful year, bringing a mix of challenges and achievements for a lock which is over 100 years old. Maintained and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, the Black Rock Lock provides the only means for deep draft commercial vessels to reach delivery ports on the upper Niagara River. It also provides safe navigation by allowing vessels to bypass the rapids on the Niagara River at the outlet of Lake Erie.