12 Mar 2024

Project Update | St. Johns Outlet Scour Repair

The Memphis District's St. John's Outlet Scour Repairs project, near New Madrid, Missouri, continues making progress as workers are now placing stone to protect the outlet control structure and bayou from erosion and scouring due to the interior drainage and Mississippi River backwater effects.

31 May 2023

USACE Memphis christens replacement, $25.5M bank grading unit "Grader 1"

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District officially launched its new, $25.5 million Bank Grading Unit (BGU), “Grader 1”, with a christening ceremony held on the afternoon of May 2 at a boat ramp located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Event attendees included Mississippi Valley Division Commander Maj. Gen. Diana Holland, Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser, Grader 1's project delivery team and project partners, and several members from the Memphis District Employee and Retiree Communities. Vessel christenings are widely considered an important part of nautical culture with many associated customs practiced for centuries now. While variations do exist, the overall purpose is to request protection for the vessel and crew while navigating the waterways of the world.

11 May 2023

A look back: Berry's 33 years of federal service

Knowledgeable. Caring. An asset. Kindhearted. Selfless. Friend. Guru. A bright light. Trustworthy. These are words chosen to describe colleague, friend, and recently retired Program Assistant, Mr. Jeff Berry. Even with solid attempts made at convincing him to stay, Berry celebrated his retirement of 33 years of federal service in a ceremony surrounded by friends, family, and colleagues.

23 Jan 2023

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.

23 Jan 2023

$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.