• July

    Nearly century year old lock gates get a lift

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has a long history of building projects to last. But 95 years is asking a lot from any structure. So when it became necessary to replace some enormous steel gates that are part of an Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) lock in the New Orleans District, the challenge was monumental. But Memphis District structural engineer Marneshia Richard proved she was up to the task when she was assigned a central role in the project.
  • Girdner wins prestigious engineer award

    On May 26, Girdner won the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Young Engineer of the Year award at age 27. She won this prestigious award because of work she is doing, both with the American Society of Civil Engineers and Engineers Without Borders (EWB).
  • June

    The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame welcomes Priscilla Gary Sweeney

    What do Legendary Major League Baseball star George Brett and our own District Contracting Officer, Priscilla Gary Sweeney have in common? They're both 2017 Inductees to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.
  • May

    Family discovers surprising connection to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 16, 2017 - If you’ve ever researched your family’s history, you know that each uncovered fact enriches your family story. This is exactly what Mary Juliette Tiedgen and her daughter Karen Tiedgen experienced when, in 1996, they discovered their surprising family connection to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Memphis District. While doing genealogical research on the Rouse family, Karen Tiedgen discovered that the District’s Dry Dock Rouse is named after her great-grandfather, Capt. James Washington (J.W.) Rouse. Mary Tiedgen, 88, and her daughter visited the Memphis District’s Ensley Engineer Yard (EEY) on April 4 to see the Rouse. They traveled 750 miles from Norfolk, Neb., for the visit.
  • April

    Memphis Corps of Engineers selected as one of “Best Federal Places to Work”

    The Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been nationally selected as one of the Best Places to Work in Federal government in the medium sized organizations category. Judging took place through the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey that is administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
  • Mekong meets Mississippi in Memphis

    Twelve members of the Mekong River Commission, headquartered in Vientiane, Laos, spent five days in the Lower Mississippi Valley sharing knowledge and learning from their counterparts on the Mississippi River Commission. They arrived in Memphis, Tenn., on April 2 and traveled from there to a variety of locations in the region. The two commissions formed a partnership in 2010 built around common interests in water resource development and management, and sharing of technical expertise and lessons learned.
  • July

    USACE Dive Team on a mission to protect federally threatened mussel

    On May 23, four members of the USACE Memphis District Dive Team set-off on a mission to help ensure
  • Memphis Reachback Engineering: Helping to Combat Afghan Insurgency

    Six members of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Memphis District are helping the Afghan
  • Working to improve centuries old acequias for New Mexico community

    Engineers Mike Clay and Josh Giannini, members of the USACE Memphis District’s Design Branch, are
  • Hydraulics and Hydrology takes on new gage site at Mhoon Landing

    The Hydraulics and Hydrology Branch is currently working on a project to construct a new Mississippi
  • November

    Sampling the Mississippi River

    For the third time in almost eight decades, bed material samples are being taken from the Mississippi River. The first was in 1935 and the second was in 1989, but this is the first time it’s an effort being coordinated between different government agencies.
  • October

    Wastewater Treatment Facility to open doors for future growth

    It’s not sexy, but it’s the greatest thing for the county,” said DeSoto County Board of Supervisors President Mark Gardner, “And it’ll open doors for DeSoto County’s future growth.”
  • Grugett christened

    “Wooooh!” The blare from the mighty air horn announces “I’m the Motor Vessel George C. Grugett and I’m here to join the fleet!” A few seconds later, more horns blare in welcome response, filling the afternoon air with sounds reminiscent of early days on the Mississippi River.
  • Anderson takes command

    The soaring marble columns at One Commerce Square provided an inspiring venue for Memphis District’s change of command July 12. Col. Vernie L. Reichling Jr. turned over leadership of the district to Col. Jeffery A. Anderson at the event attended by employees, retirees, family members, partners, stakeholders and others. Deputy District Commander Lt. Col. Dave Patton acted as the master of ceremonies.
  • August

    District accepting nominations for distinguished civilian employee

    Since 1927, Memphis District has been recognizing Civilian employees for their extraordinary performance. A portrait of each individual hangs in the Gallery of Distinguished Civilian Employees, located on the 5th floor of the Memphis District headquarters, to honor these role models who’ve made significant contributions to the Corps of Engineers.
  • A life well-lived ... Remembering Thomas George

    Thomas George packed a lot of life into his brief 56 years with us. The former Memphis District employee passed away April 5 doing one of the many things he loved – being close to the river. Thomas was Master of the Corps’ Dredge Potter based in the St. Louis District. He died in his sleep aboard the dredge which was at Ensley Engineer Yard in Memphis for maintenance work.
  • Keeping pace … my journey to the finish

    I had the honor of running in the 117th Boston Marathon this year. During my 26-mile, 385-yard race I had the pleasure of witnessing how incredible people can be as well as the displeasure of seeing how despicably low people are capable of becoming.
  • Mitchem brings wealth of Army legal experience

    Lt. Col. (Ret.) Suzy Mitchem is the new District Counsel. She comes to the Memphis following a distinguished career in war and in peace while serving in a succession of leadership positions at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels in the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps.
  • New Labor Forum to Improve Work Life

    In the works for more than a year, a Labor-Management Forum Agreement between the International Federation of Professional and Technical Employees Local 259 and the Memphis District was signed July 9 at district headquarters.
  • July

    Memphis District Commander Col. Vernie Reichling signs a Labor Forum Agreement at the District Headquarters

    July 9, 2013: Memphis District Commander Col. Vernie Reichling (left) and International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 259 President Melvin Tate (right) signed a Labor Forum Agreement today at the District Headquarters.