19 Jan 2022

Army Civil Works Studies, Projects and Programs to Be Accomplished with Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding

The U.S. Army announced today the Civil Works studies, projects and programs that the Corps would implement in Fiscal Year 2022 with the $22.81 billion in supplemental funding provided in two recently enacted laws — the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; and the 2022 Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.

1 Dec 2021

Measuring Great Lakes flows helps forecast water levels

DETROIT- Monitoring the amount of water moving through the Great Lakes system is important to help forecast Great Lakes water levels and support international monitoring efforts. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials physically measure discharge, or flow, in the connecting channels using acoustic technology. Monthly flow in the connecting channels is the largest contributing factor to the level of each Great Lake and is a critical piece in forecasting Great Lakes water levels. Detroit District Hydraulic Engineer, Matt McClerren demonstrates flow measurement on the Detroit River and how the Corps of Engineers estimates monthly flows the fifth ‘On the Level’ video, available on the district’s website at https://go.usa.gov/xFEWx.

13 Oct 2021

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District completes significant repair of Buffalo North Breakwater

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Buffalo District and its contractor, Michigan-based Ryba Marine Construction Co., have completed repairs to the section of the Buffalo North Breakwater breached by a severe storm in October 2019. The storm caused extensive damage to the approximately 2,200-foot breakwater structure, including the 300-foot breach in the north end. Fixing its crest and slopes using a rubble mound armor stone overlay, the breach was repaired in less than two months.

13 Sep 2021

Corps of Engineers video explains monthly water level bulletin

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases its second ‘On the Level,’ Great Lakes water level and forecast video today. Great Lakes Watershed Hydrology Chief Keith Kompoltowicz talks through interpreting the Detroit District’s most popular product, the Great Lakes water levels monthly bulletin. Property owners, boaters, industries and many others use the bulletin as a source for water level information. “Each lake’s water level is portrayed in a hydrograph, or a plot of water surface elevation over time,” according to Kompoltowicz. “The District is happy to offer this edition of ‘On the Level’ to help anyone better understand the information the Corps of Engineers regularly provides.”

12 Aug 2021

Corps of Engineers debuts video series

DETROIT- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases a new Great Lakes water level video series today. ‘On the Level’ will provide monthly information and updates about the Great Lakes’ water levels and forecasts from Detroit District Hydraulics and Hydrology experts. “Our team is always looking for new ways to share information about the Great Lakes water levels and we are really looking forward to adding the ‘On the Level’ video series to our repertoire,” said district Great Lakes Watershed Hydrology Chief Keith Kompoltowicz. “We plan to share a wide variety of material and we hope folks will look forward to them every month.”

10 Aug 2021

Great Lakes water levels below recent years record high levels

DETROIT- Even with a return to wetter conditions in late June and July, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers officials expect Great Lakes water levels to remain below 2019 and 2020 levels - when many record highs were set across the lakes. Late spring and summer are typically when the lakes reach seasonal peaks before beginning seasonal declines in the late summer or early fall. This year, seasonal rises leading up to peak levels were less than average on all the lakes. This is especially true for Lake Michigan-Huron, which experienced its peak monthly mean level for the year in January. This has only occurred three other times (1931, 1958 and 1987) in the coordinated water level period of record (1918-2020).

22 Jun 2021

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes Rochester Harbor east pier repairs

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, and its contractor, Dean Marine & Excavating, Inc., completed the $3.4 million, 600 feet of repair of the Rochester Harbor east pier, located in Rochester, New York, June 16, 2021 The section repaired is in the middle of previously repaired sections, and was close to the original construction, where the concrete cap was in poor condition and structurally degraded. Repair of the remaining approximately 400 feet of degraded reach of the east pier would be dependent upon receiving additional funding.

22 Jun 2021

Construction begins on the Vermilion Harbor east pier

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, and its contractor, Kovilic Construction Company Inc., began repairs of the Vermilion Harbor east pier, located in Vermilion, Ohio, on 11 June 2021. The current $1.825 million contract was awarded on September 30, 2020. The Corps of Engineers is using available funds to repair 216 feet of the most degraded section of the Vermilion Harbor east pier. Repair of the remaining degraded reach of the east pier is dependent upon receiving additional funding.

28 May 2021

President’s FY 22 budget includes $595 million for USACE Detroit District

DETROIT - The President’s Budget for fiscal year 2022 includes $6.793 billion in discretionary funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works program, which is the highest annual budget ever proposed for the Army Corps. This includes approximately $595 million set aside for Detroit District projects, including $480 million for the New Lock at the Soo Locks facility in Sault St. Marie, Mich. The Civil Works budget funds the operations and maintenance program, including Great Lakes federal shipping channels and navigation structures within the Detroit District’s area of responsibility across Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This includes funding for the Soo Locks, in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., which is a critical infrastructure project for the nation. “The Detroit Districts budget reflects a strong commitment to the Great Lakes and our region,” said Detroit District Commander Lt. Col. Scott Katalenich. “We stand ready to deliver the program and continue improving the region's infrastructure. Detroit’s robust mission promotes economic growth, quality of life, environmental health and national security.”

25 May 2021

Entry period open for Detroit District annual photo contest

DETROIT- The Detroit District invites photographers to enter its 6th annual photo contest featuring U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites across the Great Lakes. The top 12 photographs highlighting Detroit District Great Lakes projects such as the Soo Locks, Duluth Ship Canal, piers, breakwaters or federal channels and harbors will earn a spot in the 2022 downloadable calendar. The entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. June 6, with winners determined by social media vote. The Soo Locks Visitors Center Association will award the top three photographers a plaque featuring their photo “The Detroit District team is looking forward to seeing the photographs submitted this year,” said District Commander Lt. Col. Scott Katalenich. “In addition to capturing the Great Lakes region’s beauty, participants always show us fascinating views of projects and waterways the Corps of Engineers build and maintain.”