16 May 2022

Completed Below Island 9 Project to benefit navigation industry, public

Congratulations to the Memphis District Below Island 9 Project Delivery Team for achieving total project completion on May 6, 2022. The project area, located in Lake County, Tennessee, was identified as a low water problem spot by local partners in the navigation industry. This area has been dredged by the Memphis District’s Dredge Hurley in 2020 and 2021, yet the problem spot persisted. To come up with a long term solve, a project delivery team came together to complete a dike construction project.

5 May 2022

Dredge Hurley kicks off 2022 season

“We dredge to maintain these waterways and keep it open for commerce,” Dredge Hurley First Mate Kyle Collins said. “Millions of dollars’ worth of various commodities are transported up and down, and east to west, along these routes, and dredging keeps these lanes open and prevents closures along these trade routes.” On Apr. 26, the Dredge Hurley and crew (currently 37 people total) departed its home port, Ensley Engineer Yard, for the 2022 dredging season. Their mission: To maintain navigable shipping lanes along the western rivers and inland waterways. 

5 May 2022

A look back: Norman “Chip” Newman’s 42 years of service

It all began in February of 1980, when the Memphis District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hired a young, energetic Memphis State University graduate. After spending some time as an intern, followed by a few years in the Inspections Section, this civil engineering major had decided to officially begin his 42-year-long career in the Geotechnical Engineering Branch. Fast forward to May of 2022, and that young man is now a newly retired (and already sorely missed) Geotechnical Design Section Supervisor, Mr.  Norman ‘Chip’ Newman!

29 Apr 2022

Employee Spotlight: Memphis District Administrative Professionals

Administrative Professionals are detail-oriented, organized, proactive, independent, adaptive, diligent, and maybe most importantly, they know how to handle a good amount of stress. As Engineering and Construction Administrative Specialist Tami Jacobs put it, “Without this one person, a whole lot of things do not, and would not get done, period.” We appreciate them daily, but today (April 27, 2022) is the designated “National Administrative Professionals’ Day!” So, please make sure you thank your admin pro a few more times than you usually would (like, 20 times more, at least).

22 Apr 2022

Employee Spotlight: Biologist John "Mike" Thron

Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22, and serves as a reminder to protect the environment, restore damaged ecosystems, and live a more sustainable life. Protecting the environment is a key district initiative, and fortunately for us, we have Biologist John “Mike” Thron as our environmental champion.