Home / Media / News Stories

News Story Manager

  • November

    IN THE PHOTO, The Memphis District’s Dredge Hurley was welcomed home after returning to its home port, Ensley Engineer Yard in Memphis Harbor, Sunday morning, Nov. 21. Their homecoming signifies the end of yet another highly productive dredging season. (Photo courtesy of Dredge Hurley Master Adrian Pirani)

    Dredge Hurley returns after completing impressive season

    The Memphis District’s Dredge Hurley was welcomed home after returning to its home port, Ensley Engineer Yard in Memphis Harbor, Sunday morning, Nov. 21. Their homecoming signifies the end of yet another highly productive dredging season. The Hurley started this season May 3. And in just over six months’ time, the crew dredged several hundred miles of the Lower Mississippi River.     
  • IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District Leadership, project partners, and project delivery team members gather for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of significant projects involving the replacement of culverts in both the northern and southern sides of the Mound City Pump Station and the installation of several relief wells in Mound City through Cairo. (USACE PHOTO/ Vance Harris)

    Celebrating one of five ribbon-cuttings/groundbreakings in two days

    Memphis District Commander, Col. Zachary Miller, district leadership, the Cairo Drainage District, Mound City, Illinois, and Project Delivery Team members all gathered to celebrate the completion of significant projects involving the replacement of culverts in both the northern and southern sides of the Mound City Pump Station and the installation of several relief wells in Mound City through Cairo.

  • July

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Planning and Response Team members respond to the Hurricane Laura aftermath in the Lake Charles, Louisiana area. The Memphis District actively responds to emergencies throughout the country, assisting in the form of the Blue Roof Program, debris removal, temporary housing and infrastructure support, and temporary emergency power.

    USACE Planning and Response Teams: Volunteering when disaster strikes

    Emergency preparedness and response is primarily a state and local responsibility. However, in instances when the nature of the disaster exceeds the capabilities of state and local interests, the Corps of Engineers may provide help to save human life, prevent immediate human suffering, and/or mitigate property damage. The Memphis District actively responds to emergencies throughout the country, assisting in the form of the Blue Roof Program, debris removal, temporary housing and infrastructure support, and temporary emergency power. This team of USACE pre-trained volunteers is known as the Planning and Response Team (PRT).
  • IN THE PHOTOS, Memphis District Safety Advisor Harley Chase during a safety inspection on the Dredge Hurley. Chase is the safety advisor to the Memphis District Commander as well as the district. He is charged with ensuring the district complies with all safety regulations, but most importantly, he is responsible for making sure all employees get home safely each day. (USACE photos by Adrian Pirani)

    Employee Spotlight: Safety Advisor Harley Chase

    He is the safety advisor to the Memphis District Commander as well as all district employees. He is charged with ensuring the district complies with all safety regulations, but most importantly, he is responsible for making sure all employees get home safely each day. His name is Harley Chase. He is the Memphis District Safety Manager and has been doing this job for 18 years now, with one and a half of them being here in Memphis, Tennessee.

  • June

    Congratulations to Memphis District project delivery team members for their recent work and efforts towards rehabilitating 128 existing relief wells just south of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The contract was awarded to Kinder Brothers Excavating, Inc. on Sept. 16, 2020, for $1,547,550.

    Substantial completion of Nash Relief Well Rehabilitation

    Congratulations to Memphis District project delivery team members for their recent work to rehabilitate 128 existing relief wells just south of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
  • IN THE PHOTOS, Erika Wallace, M/V Mississippi Machinery Mechanic Ervin Wallace's daughter, at her recent high school graduation ceremony. Not only did she graduate from the Public School, Fredrick Douglas High School, on time, but she graduated as the senior class valedictorian with an astounding 4.4 GPA. Congratulations to both father and daughter for achieving this major accomplishment.

    Memphis District employee proud of Valedictorian daughter

    The Memphis District prides itself on the many achievements made by our employees throughout the year. Not only that, but we consider it especially valuable when employees and their family members experience greatness for their hard work outside of the district. Recently the district had a very special reason to celebrate. Erika Wallace, daughter of M/V Mississippi Machinery Mechanic Ervin Wallace, just graduated from Frederick Douglass Public High School as Valedictorian, with an astounding 4.4 GPA.
  • IN THE PHOTOS, photos of the Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

    Wildlife Refuge repair and cleanup project completed ahead of schedule

    Many may be unaware, but one of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ more common missions throughout our country is environmental stewardship. The Memphis District is one of many districts to work closely with other environmental and regulatory agencies to protect existing natural resources, cultural assets, historic sites, and endangered species. In executing this critical mission, the Memphis District, along with hired labor teams, recently completed extensive scour repairs and debris removal to assist with protecting wildlife within the Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge, located in Mississippi County, Arkansas.  

  • May

    IN THE PHOTOS, a collage representing Divina LeClair's life. She is Filipino and a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employee. She currently works for the Memphis District as the district environmental compliance coordinator and has been with the district since 2016. She is a proud Filipino, with Ilonggo being her native language. Ilonggo is one of 99 dialects in the Philippines. She is proud to be both American and Filipino, and says she loves America, its culture, and the people. She also says Filipinos are resilient, respectful, and helpful people, unlike what many may think of them, which is that they are oftentimes late, spend a lot of money, and are poor. The Memphis District is grateful for Divina and thanks her for her service, as well as for sharing her culture with the district, not just today or this Asian American Island Pacific Heritage month, but every day and every month. You are a true gem, and we treasure you daily. Thank you, ma'am!

    Employee and Heritage Spotlight: Divina LeClair

    Men are the breadwinners, and most men control family affairs. Women, on the other hand, play the role of mother, wife, and housekeeper. In their culture, it's disrespectful to stand with your hands on your hips. It's also not polite to point fingers at someone. Neither is it acceptable to spit in front of someone or lose your temper in public. And as of 2018, just over 2 million people from this country lived in the United States, accounting for 4.5 percent of the country's 44.7 million immigrants. The country is the Philippines. It is an archipelago nation consisting of more than 7,100 islands in the Pacific Ocean located near the equator. And the Memphis District woman proudly representing this land is Divina LeClair. She currently works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as the district environmental compliance coordinator.
  • IN THE PHOTO, clockwise from top left, Company Morning Report, containing news of 1st Lt. Ponder's death; illustration by Vance Harris honoring Carper, McIntyre and Ponder; picture of 2nd Lt. John F. McIntyre; and a plaque by Memphis District employees honoring their co-worker's service and sacrifice.

    Memorial Day: Remembering Memphis District employees who made the ultimate sacrifice

    For 153 years, America has set aside a day to pay tribute to our Patriots who gave their last full measure of devotion for this country. This Memorial Day, we remember three Memphis District employees who were among the 405,399 who made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting in World War II. We also remember all of our team members lost during peacetime.  1st Lt. Reeves S. Carper, 2nd Lt. John F. McIntyre, and 1st Lt. Arch R. Ponder left their jobs, co-workers, families, and friends here in Memphis to train and travel overseas to join the fight.
  • IN THE PHOTO, Darian Chasteen and his family. Chasteen recently passed away, losing a hard-fought battle with cancer. While he is physically no longer with the district, his legacy will live on through stories and memories forever.

    Remembering a Memphis District hero, brother

    The Memphis District and Chasteen family recently lost a beloved member to a hard-fought battle with cancer. Darian Chasteen, who most recently held the Hydraulics and Hydrology Branch Deputy Chief title, passed away on May 7, 2021. While no longer physically with us, his legacy will forever live on. Chasteen served more than 30 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District. During that time, he made many friends and touched numerous lives. In honor of his life and the contributions he made, we take a look back at his life, happy and thankful to have known such a person.
  • IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller (right) welcomes back recent deployed employee General Engineer Aaron Ray (center) from his tour in Afghanistan. While deployed, Ray served as an electrical engineer, general engineer, and Contract Officer Representative. Welcome home, Ray!

    Memphis District employee returns home from Afghanistan

    The Memphis District recently welcomed back Electrical and General Engineer Aaron Ray from his deployment to Afghanistan. Ray deployed as an Area Support Group - Afghanistan (ASG-A) electrical engineer responsible for reviewing and approving all support requests for Task Force Power throughout Afghanistan. 
  • A map and photo of the channel cleanout project area in Craighead, Arkansas. Locust Creek has been experiencing debris buildup, resulting in improper channel drainage. Once the project contract is awarded, crews will remove sedimentation buildup along approximately two miles of the creek to prevent any further accumulation. The project reached its “Ready to Advertise” milestone on April 30, 2021. (Courtesy photos)

    Arkansas channel cleanout project ‘Ready to Advertise’

    In support of the district's flood risk management mission, the Memphis District regularly plans and executes projects to maintain and repair channels and levees as needed. Most recently, a project called "The Locus Creek Channel Cleanout", recently reached a significant milestone known as "Ready to Advertise" (RTA). "Ready to Advertise" means the project package has been sent to the district contracting team for awarding this fiscal year. The work to be done is in the Craighead County, Arkansas area. According to PDT Project Manager Amber Jarnagin, Locust Creek has been experiencing debris blockages that aren't allowing proper channel drainage.
  • IN THE PHOTOS, Project Manager Jairus Stroupe and St. Francis Basin and White River Backwater Section Chief Billy Grantham attended the Arkansas Water Trails dedication ceremony along with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, the St. Francis Lake Association, the Arkansas Water Trails, the City of Trumann, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. On behalf of the St. Francis Lake Association, Dr. Neal Vickers recognized U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager Jairus Stroupe and late USACE Retiree Regina Kuykendoll Cash for their efforts in maintaining the St. Francis Basin. Those efforts are now responsible for allowing the river to be appropriately regulated within the sunken lands.

    Memphis District assists Arkansas with St. Francis water trail dedication

    In partnership with the St. Francis Lake Association, the Arkansas Water Trails, and the City of Trumann, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) celebrated the dedication of the St. Francis Sunken Lands Water Trails on May 5, 2021.  Governor Asa Hutchinson offered some inspiring words about the value of outdoor recreation to the lives of Arkansans, saying, “The tourism industry is on the rise in Arkansas! The new St. Francis Sunken Lands Water Trails will be a major attraction in Poinsett county, bringing people in to take in this unique view of Arkansas’s natural history.”
  • Progress photos of the Forked Deer Hard Points construction project. The construction for the task order awarded was completed on the current River Repairs IDIQ Contract to Midwest Construction Company (Luhr Brothers as a sub-contractor) for $614,600. The scope of work included placing 25,600 tons of 250-pound riprap stone on the river training structures of the Mississippi River. These repairs to the navigation channel were necessary to restore the existing hardpoints and to protect eroding and over-steepened banks between and behind the structures.

    Forked Deer Hard Points repair construction complete

    "The Memphis District is responsible for maintaining a safe and dependable Mississippi River navigation channel to a minimum of 9 feet deep and 300 feet wide at all times and at all river stages," Project Manager Mark Mazzone said. That's why projects like this, the Mississippi River Channel Improvement Stone Repairs Task Order – Forked Deer Hard Points Repair, are so essential to execute as needed.
  • IN THE PHOTOS, Regulatory Technical Expert Tim Flinn recently retired after 32 years of federal service, 29 of those years being with the Memphis District. The photos above were taken during his retirement ceremony on April 29, 2021. Congratulations, Tim, and thank you for your many years of service to this district, division, and nation. You will be missed!

    A look back: Flinn's 32 years of service

    "He's worked on many projects throughout his career," Regulatory Retiree Randy Clark recalled. "His analytical insight to many Regulatory projects has been incredible and made projects better. He looked at projects from a close perspective and at the 10,000-mile-high view. He always knew when each approach was necessary and best." Clark is describing newly retired Regulatory Technical Expert Tim Flinn. Flinn served a total of 32 years of federal service before deciding he was ready to retire.
  • IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller (left) coins Procurement Analyst TiJuana' TJ' Harris in January of 2020 for going above and beyond in her work. Harris was recently provided the chance to apply for a 120-day developmental assignment at the division level, where she said she would learn even more about the "Whys" of USACE contracting.

    Developmental position to offer growth, new skills for USACE employee

    Many U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees are eager to learn new skills and grow in their position. Fortunately, the Memphis District oftentimes offers opportunities for its employees to do just that through what's called developmental assignments and/or positions. A developmental position is a temporary job that differs from their permanent position and is designed to train and develop employees in preparation for further career advancement. These temporary positions normally last about 120 days, but can be shorter or longer depending on the position. Additionally, the job location can either be at the employee’s home station or in a completely different state. While the differences vary from position to position, one thing remains the same, the benefits of working a developmental assignment are endless. Recently, Memphis District Procurement Analyst TiJuana' TJ' Harris was provided the chance to apply for a 120-day developmental assignment at the division level, where she said she would learn even more about the "whys" of USACE contracting.

  • April

    IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District St. Francis Basin (SFB) Partners, Stakeholders and Project Management, members of the district's Hydrology and Hydraulics branch, and district Engineering and Construction managers traveled to the Fisher Delta Research Center in Portageville, Missouri for their annual partnering meeting on Mar. 30, 2021.

    St. Francis Basin Partnering Meeting a success

    Memphis District St. Francis Basin (SFB) Partners, Stakeholders and Project Management, members of the district's Hydrology and Hydraulics branch, and district Engineering and Construction managers traveled to the Fisher Delta Research Center in Portageville, Missouri for their annual partnering meeting on Mar. 30, 2021. The Memphis District Team meets annually with SFB partners and stakeholders to provide current basin status updates.
  • IN THE PHOTOS, photos of the Memphis District’s Dredge Hurley on the Ensley Engineer Yard dry dock, getting repaired after much of the south, including Memphis, Tennessee, was hit hard with frigid temperatures in mid-February this year. From frozen pipes to no electricity, many people and structures were impacted by the icy weather, including the district’s Dredge Hurley. It took approximately one month and multiple Ensley Engineer Yard crews to thaw out and repair the dredge. Now that the Dredge Hurley is thawed and repaired, it’s ready to dredge the Mississippi River, which is scheduled to start within the next two weeks. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

    Memphis District Hurley: Thawed out and ready to dredge

    During most off seasons, maintaining the Hurley takes a few months and a couple of crews to get everything done. This off-season was a bit different, as unexpected weather posed more obstacles than usual. Much of the south, including Memphis, Tennessee, was hit hard with frigid temperatures in mid-February this year. The last time Memphians experienced weather like this was in 1994.  From frozen pipes to no electricity, many people and structures were impacted by the icy weather, including the district’s Dredge Hurley.
  • IN THE PHOTOS, photos of three Memphis District Administrative Professionals. From left to right, Operations Division Administrative Assistant Cherrie Smith, Hydraulics and Hydrology Branch Secretary Kai Alimayu, and Executive Office Administrative Assistant Brenda Barber. Thank you to all our Memphis District Administrative Assistants and Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

    Employee Spotlight: Memphis District Administrative Professionals

    They are hard-working, reliable, flexible, exceptional communicators, organized, can multitask, and problem-solving, all while having a smile on their face. Their list of responsibilities is endless and can change from day to day depending on what is needed. Anyone who has an Administrative Professional or other specialist in this role knows how critical this person is. While appreciated daily, today, April 21, is the day these professionals should feel extra special and valued, as today is the National Administrative Professionals Day.
  • Award presentation

    Thron earns Meritorious Civilian Service Medal

    Congratulations to Memphis District Biologist Mike Thron, who on yesterday, was presented with the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, by Mississippi Valley Division Commanding General and Mississippi River Commission President Maj. Gen. Diana Holland, for his outstanding leadership as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) coordinator on the Mississippi River Mainline Levees (MRL) Final Supplement II (Final SEIS II).