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  • September

    The Memphis District awarded a contract to perform dike construction and maintenance at Donaldson Point, near New Madrid, Missouri (River Mile 903), Aug. 24, 2022. The funds provided for the work are a combination of Disaster Relief Supplemental Act of 2022 (DRSAA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) money allocated by Congress earlier this year. Contractor, Luhr Bros., Inc. from Columbia, Illinois, will perform the construction work, which will consist of, “Placing approximately 316,000 tons of Graded Stone A (5,000 pound maximum stone size) to restore and raise four existing stone dikes and construct environmental notches in all four dikes for habitat diversity in the secondary side channel along the right descending bank,” Cook said. “This dike project will work in conjunction with dike work completed earlier this spring at Below Island 9, Tennessee, to improve the channel crossing and low water navigation conditions in this reach of the Mississippi River.”

    $11.8 million River Contract awarded, need for repetitive dredging decreased

    The Memphis District awarded a contract to perform dike construction and maintenance at Donaldson Point, near New Madrid, Missouri (River Mile 903),  Aug. 24, 2022.  The Corps is partnering with Commercial Towing Interests, represented by the Lower Mississippi River Committee (LOMRC), to execute this $11,809,760 funded project. “This work is needed in this reach of the river due to continued navigation concerns raised by towboat pilots during recent low water years," said Project Manager Zach Cook. "This area has also required repetitive dredging over the past few years as well.” The funds provided for the work are a combination of Disaster Relief Supplemental Act of 2022 (DRSAA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) money allocated by Congress earlier this year.
  • The Memphis District recently finished the first Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funded construction project on the Mississippi River near Caruthersville, Missouri. The Corps partnered with the Lower Mississippi River Committee (LOMRC) and commercial towing industry to complete the $1.15 million revetment maintenance project at Little Cypress near Mississippi River Mile 863.

    Memphis District’s first IIJA-funded project complete

    The Memphis District recently finished the first Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funded construction project on the Mississippi River near Caruthersville, Missouri. The Corps partnered with the Lower Mississippi River Committee (LOMRC) and commercial towing industry to complete the $1.15 million revetment maintenance project at Little Cypress near Mississippi River Mile 863. “Work consisted of placing approximately 43 thousand tons of “Graded Stone C (400 pound maximum stone size)” to repair seven riverbank failures along an approximate 4-mile reach of the existing revetted riverbank,” Project Manager Zach Cook added. “Work started on August 13 and was completed in two weeks."
  • The Memphis District's Revetment Branch and Metals Units recently finalized a flapgate repair on what’s called the “Fritz Landing Culvert” in Lake County, Tennessee, in August 2022. “In 2021, the flapgate on the river side end of one of the culverts became loose, fractured, and fell off,” Project Manager Mark Mazzone said. “The flapgates ensure that flood water cannot back up through the culverts. They also provide the actual protection against flooding through culvert openings in the levee.” To repair the flapgates, construction involved building temporary cofferdams, pumping standing water to access the end of the culvert, fabrication and installation of temporary structures, and fabrication/installation of a replacement collar and supporting structure. (Courtesy photo)

    Teamwork protects land, “helps ensure Mississippi River does not try to change course”

    The Memphis District's Revetment Branch and Metals Units recently finalized a flapgate repair on what’s called the “Fritz Landing Culvert” in Lake County, Tennessee, in August 2022. Their hard work and collaboration will undoubtedly result in the extended protection of almost 7 thousand acres of land. Additionally, this project will contribute to decreasing the Mississippi River’s meandering ways, and thus safeguard many surrounding localities for many, many years to come.

  • August

    Congratulations to Lead Realty Specialists Joshua A. Neisen as he recently received his Level I Real Estate Contracting Officers Delegation of Authority. Delegating this authority, Real Estate Division Chief John T. Wilburn issued a memorandum stating, "I hereby delegate to Mr. Joshua Neisen, Lead Realty Specialist, Memphis District, Mississippi Valley Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Real Estate Contracting Officer authority within the limits established by this warrant and certificate of appointment to execute real estate contracts, deeds, and related documents to acquire, manage, out-grant, and dispose of real property and interests therein, including related personal property, for both military and civil works real property (under authorities granted to the Secretary of the Army by applicable sections of Title 10, Title 16, Title 30, Title 33, and Title 40, United States Code). This delegation serves as an interim measure to meet current mission requirements of the Memphis District Real Estate office until such time that the Real Estate office may be re-organized with branch chief positions to serve as Realty Officers." Additionally, the Real Estate Branch extended much appreciation to Mr. Donald Balch (MVD Chief of Real Estate) for his continued support to the Memphis District Real Estate Program. Congratulations, Josh! The Memphis District and Mississippi Valley Division are proud of you and can't wait to see all that you accomplishment during this next phase of your career!

    Lead Realty Specialist Joshua A. Neisen receives Level I Real Estate Contracting Officers Delegation of Authority

    Congratulations to Lead Realty Specialist Joshua A. Neisen as he receives his Level I Real Estate Contracting Officers Delegation of Authority. Delegating this authority, Real Estate Division Chief John T. Wilburn issued a memorandum stating, "I hereby delegate to Mr. Joshua Neisen, Lead Realty Specialist, Memphis District, Mississippi Valley Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Real Estate Contracting Officer authority within the limits established by this warrant and certificate of appointment to execute real estate contracts, deeds, and related documents to acquire, manage, out-grant, and dispose of real property and interests therein, including related personal property, for both military and civil works real property (under authorities granted to the Secretary of the Army by applicable sections of Title 10, Title 16, Title 30, Title 33, and Title 40, United States Code). This delegation serves as an interim measure to meet current mission requirements of the Memphis District Real Estate office until such time that the Real Estate office may be re-organized with branch chief positions to serve as Realty Officers." Additionally, the Real Estate Branch extended its appreciation to Mr. Donald Balch (MVD Chief of Real Estate) for his continued support to the Memphis District Real Estate Program.
  • IN THE PHOTO (to the right),Biologist Josh Koontz, Cost Engineer Max Gomez-Pedro, Design Engineer Chase Kesner, and Geotechnical Engineer Ben Tatum visit a potential borrow site with Bill Sheppard of Yazoo Mississippi Delta Board. (This was not the final borrow site.) Circled in red is poison ivy. The other two photos (to the left) are of the project area, specifically four miles of the Yazoo-Delta Levee System 21 – Segment 26. The $1.8 million job will construct three earthen berms to reduce seepage under the levee when river levels are high. (USACE Courtesy Photos)

    $1.8M contract awarded, add’ l protection for agriculture, communities

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District recently awarded a construction contract for a Seepage Remediation Project in Coahoma County, Sherard, Mississippi. The project will be accomplished in partnership with the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Levee Board of Mississippi and will address four miles of the Yazoo-Delta Levee system’s System 21 – Segment 26.