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  • March

    Channel Improvement Projects discussed during the Channel Improvement Team Meeting included Articulated Concrete Mattress operations, Mat Loading Unit operations, Bank Grading Unit Operations, and the Clearing and Snagging Unit operations, among other projects forecasted for the upcoming year.

    Memphis District’s annual Mississippi River Channel Improvement meeting a success

    Members of the Regional Channel Improvement (RCI) Team met in New Orleans, Louisiana, for their annual Mississippi River Channel Improvement meeting, Feb. 7 – 8, 2023 to discuss new channel improvement projects and other current channel improvement issues.

  • February

    The mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Mississippi Valley is to serve the region by providing vital public engineering services and stewardship of water resource infrastructure, partnering in peace and war, to strengthen our nation’s security, energize the economy and reduce risks from disasters. The mission is accomplished by two distinct, complementary organizations -- the Mississippi Valley Division and the Mississippi River Commission. For more information, visit us at: Mississippi Valley Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers We will be recruiting a variety of positions using direct hire authority for multiple disciplines and grade levels, from GS-03 to GS-12. Depending on position/location selected, promotion potential will be the GS-05, 07, 09, 11, or 12 levels. We are also recruiting for many Federal Wage System positions in Memphis, TN and New Orleans, LA.

    Mississippi Valley Division Virtual Recruitment Event

    WHO: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mississippi Valley Division WHAT: Mississippi Valley Division Virtual Recruitment Event WHEN: Pre-registration opens on 7 Feb 23 and closes on 27 Feb 23. Please see the ‘REQUIRED DOCUMENTS’ section below. Event dates are 7-8 March 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CT). We encourage interested candidates to register and submit resumes early. Interviews will be conducted and job offers will be extended during the event. WHY: The mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Mississippi Valley is to serve the region by providing vital public engineering services and stewardship of water resource infrastructure, partnering in peace and war, to strengthen our nation’s security, energize the economy and reduce risks from disasters. The mission is accomplished by two distinct, complementary organizations -- the Mississippi Valley Division and the Mississippi River Commission.
  • Engineer Week 2023

    2023 Engineer Week: Creating the Future

    Engineers Week is February 19 - 25, 2023 this year. Engineer Week is a celebration that takes place on the third week of February annually because it coincides with President George Washington’s birthday. This is significant, since Washington is considered our Nation’s first engineer, and he also appointed the first engineer officers to the U.S. Army on June 16, 1775.
  • The Memphis District’s Dredge Hurley returned to its home port, Ensley Engineer Yard in Memphis Harbor on Jan. 13, 2023, after finishing a record-breaking 273-day season, which began Apr. 26, 2022. In those eight and a half months, the 36-person crew removed 14.5 million cubic yards of material, which is the most the Dredge Hurley has ever removed in a single season.

    Memphis District's Dredge Hurley returns home ending most productive, longest season on record

    The Memphis District’s Dredge Hurley returned to its home port, Ensley Engineer Yard in Memphis Harbor on Jan. 13, 2023, after finishing a record-breaking 273-day season, which began Apr. 26, 2022. In those eight and a half months, the 36-person crew dredged 14.5 million cubic yards of material, which is the most the Dredge Hurley has ever removed in a single season.
  • The Hurley begins its 2022 season by dredging a Memphis harbor, May 1, 2022.

    Memphis District celebrates Kellinsky's retirement

    "The best part of my job here at the Memphis District was building things for people," Memphis District Carpenter Steve Kellinsky said. "I loved being a carpenter and I loved the Army, so I always looked at it like getting paid to play in a billion-dollar playground." After dedicating more than seven years of service to the Memphis District, 11 to the federal government, and six to the U.S. Army, Steve Kellinsky is celebrating his recent retirement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District as a carpenter.
  • Ashley Evans on her selection for a six-month detail as a Levee Safety Endowed Chair. The position is with the Headquarters Dam and Levee Safety Branch in Washington D.C. Her main job will be to help launch the National State Levee Safety Program, which aims to assist states in initiating or enhancing a state levee safety program.

    Evans selected as HQ Levee Safety Endowed Chair

    Congratulations to Ashley Evans on her selection for a six-month detail as a Levee Safety Endowed Chair. The position is with the Headquarters Dam and Levee Safety Branch in Washington D.C.
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District awarded Graylee Construction and Demolition from Ward, Arkansas, a contract to rehabilitate and repair the New Madrid City Front Boat Ramp located on the Mississippi River at approximate River Mile 889. The city of New Madrid, Missouri, and St. John's Levee and Drainage District are partners on this vital project. The $959,000 used to award the project work comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) passed in early 2022.

    Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds awarded for vital New Madrid boat ramp repairs

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District awarded Graylee Construction and Demolition from Ward, Arkansas, a contract to rehabilitate and repair the New Madrid City Front Boat Ramp located on the Mississippi River at approximate River Mile 889. The city of New Madrid, Missouri, and St. John's Levee and Drainage District are partners on this vital project.

  • January

    Earlier this week, the Memphis District hosted a Flood Risk Management exercise involving multiple federal organizations including the Mississippi Valley Division. Mississippi Valley Division Commander Maj. Gen. Diana Holland (far left) recognized (from left to right) Memphis District Emergency Manager Kandi Waller, Hydraulics & Hydrology Branch Chief Mike Clay, and Captain Sean Tedtaotao for their superb planning and execution of the exercise. Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser (far right) joined in to congratulate his team.

    Flood risk management star recognition

    Earlier this week, the Memphis District hosted a Flood Risk Management exercise involving multiple federal organizations including the Mississippi Valley Division. Mississippi Valley Division Commander Maj. Gen. Diana Holland (far left) recognized (from left to right) Memphis District Emergency Manager Kandi Waller, Hydraulics & Hydrology Branch Chief Mike Clay, and Captain Sean Tedtaotao for their superb planning and execution of the exercise. Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser (far right) joined in to congratulate his team.
  • A photo of Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser presenting Jessica Haas with the December 2022 Employee of the Month certificate. Haas is the principal writer in the Public Affairs Office. She writes about everything from the Memphis District reaching important project milestones to the Dredge Hurley crew out working during the cold Christmas Holidays. She is also our extraordinary website and social media manager who has the Memphis District positioned number one in MVD for the most followers. You would expect all that’s been mentioned about what Jessica does is hard work and it is. However, if you ask her about it, you’ll get a different perspective. "I'm the lucky one here," Haas explains. "When you love what you do, it isn’t work anymore. It’s an honor to be around and interact with such a talented team of professionals every day. If this is a dream, I never want to wake up."

    Haas named Memphis District Employee of the Month

    With December’s Employee of the Month selection, the script is sort of flipped with the “Recognizer-in-Chief” being recognized! Congratulations to Jessica Haas on her well-earned recognition as Memphis District’s Employee of the Month for December 2022!
  • Curtis Williams, also known by many as Lil Wolf, recently celebrated his retirement from the Memphis District after 33 years of federal service. Williams spent most of his career as the Memphis Districts Dredge Hurley Shipkeeper. According to his colleagues, he was one of the best to ever step foot on the vessel, or any vessel for that matter.

    Dredge Hurley legend retires after 33 years of service

    Curtis Williams, also known by many as 'Lil Wolf', recently celebrated his retirement from the Memphis District after 33 years of federal service. Williams spent most of his career as Dredge Hurley's Shipkeeper, and according to his colleagues, he was one of the best to ever step foot on the vessel, or any vessel for that matter.
  • Construction Control Inspector Shaun Bass with the Memphis District's Caruthersville Area Office. Shaun is hailed as a hero for his part in rescuing a family of four in late July of 2022.

    Memphis District employee helps rescue mother, three daughters

    Mr. Shaun Bass, a Construction Control Inspector from the Memphis District's Caruthersville Area Office, witnessed a horrific car accident occur right in front of him while travelling for work in July of 2022. The accident involved a mother and her three children driving head on into a bridge embankment. He was able to call 911 and tend to the mother before the first ambulance arrived. Once the first ambulance was onsite, he directed traffic around the accident while assisting paramedics with the children as needed. Amazingly, the mother and three children survived, yet arguably, if it were not for Bass and the ambulance personnel, this story may have had a much more tragic conclusion. This is his recollection of that day's events.
  • A Memphis District Project Delivery Team recently completed a $5.3M Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)-funded revetment project in Bauxippi-Wyanoke, Arkansas.

    $5.3M BIL-funded revetment project complete ahead of schedule

    A Memphis District Project Delivery Team recently completed a $5.3M Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)-funded revetment project in Bauxippi-Wyanoke, Arkansas. Work began in November last year when historic low water conditions and tow restrictions delayed much of the river industry’s transportation of goods. Despite these less-than-stellar conditions, the team completed construction ahead of schedule, finishing all work on Dec. 16, 2022.
  • The holidays weren’t the only reason the district celebrated the end of 2022. Additionally, Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser recognized, thanked, and presented a Commander’s Coin and a Length of Service Certificate to our Program Assistant Jeff Berry for his incredible 30+ years of federal service. Please help us say congratulations and thank you to Mr. Jeff Berry! We value and appreciate all you’ve done and continue to do for the District, the Mississippi Valley Division, and this great Nation! People like you are why the Memphis District Team is the best team there is, and we are lucky to have you!

    Congratulations, Thank You, Mr. Jeff Berry!

    The holidays weren’t the only reason the district celebrated the end of 2022. Additionally, Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser recognized, thanked, and presented a Commander’s Coin and a Length of Service Certificate to our Program Assistant Jeff Berry for his incredible 30+ years of federal service. Please help us say congratulations and thank you to Mr. Jeff Berry! We value and appreciate all you’ve done and continue to do for the District, the Mississippi Valley Division, and this great Nation! People like you are why the Memphis District Team is the best team there is, and we are lucky to have you!
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District invests in employees and develops their leadership skills by utilizing the Leadership Development Program (LDP). LDP graduates are said to benefit from an expanded network of mentors, elevated promotion potential, and a greater understanding of the enterprise and district (to name a few).

    LDP grads on program: Making connections, overcoming obstacles, coming out stronger

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District invests in employees and develops their leadership skills by utilizing the Leadership Development Program (LDP). LDP graduates are said to benefit from an expanded network of mentors, elevated promotion potential, and a greater understanding of the enterprise and district (to name a few). Having more mentors and a better chance at promotion is nice, but according to the class of 2022, these perks are barely a fraction of what participants can get out of this yearlong program.

  • December

    Congratulations to Machinist Tommy Reed on his selection as the November Memphis District Employee of the Month!

    Employee of the Month: Congrats, Tommy!

    Congratulations to Machinist Tommy Reed on his selection as the November Memphis District Employee of the Month!
  • (USACE Photo/Jessica Haas)

    A day with the Memphis District Revetment team

    On Dec. 7, 2022, Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser made the trip down to St. Francisville, Louisiana, to visit the Memphis District Revetment Team at their current project site. The commander spent the day getting a firsthand look at what this talented crew does on a daily basis, getting a better understanding of exactly just how important this team is to executing the Memphis District mission.
  • Congratulations to the Memphis District for recently completing a $6M Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)-funded project at Below Knowlton, Arkansas. “Work to complete revetment stone repairs began on Sep. 27, 2022,” Project Manager Zach Cook said. “Work was then completed ahead of the required completion date on Nov. 8, 2022, despite record low water conditions and stone delivery delays due to tow restrictions.” Contractor Luhr Bros., Inc. from Columbia, Illinois, executed the project work, which consisted of placing approximately 163,000 tons of Graded Stone C (400-pound maximum stone-size) to repair two bank failures. Repairing these banks ultimately restored them to stable slopes.

    Memphis District completes $6M in BIL-funded Revetment Repairs

    Congratulations to the Memphis District for recently completing a $6M Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)-funded project at Below Knowlton, Arkansas. “Work to complete revetment stone repairs began on Sep. 27, 2022,” Project Manager Zach Cook said. “Work was then completed ahead of the required completion date on Nov. 8, 2022, despite record low water conditions and stone delivery delays due to tow restrictions.”
  • The National Technical Committee for the Ordinary High Water Mark meeting in Boise, Idaho to discuss regional variations in OHWM and difficulties in identifying OHWM throughout the U.S. The NTC-OHWM is an interagency committee that includes ERDC CRREL, USACE Regulators, EPA, and academics. This meeting in Idaho took place in August of 2018. The photograph shows the committee members walking along Long Tom Creek.

    Notice of Availability of the Interim Draft of the National Ordinary High Water Mark Field Delineation Manual for Rivers and Streams

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly announce the availability of the Interim Draft of the National Ordinary High Water Mark Field Delineation Manual for Rivers and Streams (National OHWM Manual) and are soliciting public comments on this Interim Draft.

  • November

    Congratulations to Operations Project Manager Vickie Watson on her selection as Memphis District Employee of the Month! Watson is credited for being proactive and coordinating with all 10 harbors and port authorities within the Memphis District’s area of responsibility (AOR), including key tenants at harbors as well as the U.S. Coast Guard, during the recent/ongoing low water conditions.

    Employee of the Month: Congrats, Vickie!

    Congratulations to Operations Project Manager Vickie Watson on her selection as Memphis District Employee of the Month!
  • Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser, district leadership, project delivery team members, and Project Partner Yazoo Mississippi Delta Levee Board, gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony today, Nov. 15, 2022, to celebrate the completed Sherard Seepage Remediation Construction Project. Location: Coahoma County, Mississippi Contract Amount: $1,800,000 Substantial Completion Date: Oct. 17, 2022 Contractor: Syte Corporation Project Partner: Yazoo Mississippi Delta Levee Board

    MVM celebrates completed Sherard Seepage Remediation

    Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser, district leadership, project delivery team members, and Project Partner Yazoo Mississippi Delta Levee Board, gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony today, Nov. 15, 2022, to celebrate the completed Sherard Seepage Remediation Construction Project.