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Archive: 2022
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  • December

    Congratulations to Machinist Tommy Reed on his selection as the November Memphis District Employee of the Month! Working in the Operations Division, Tommy proves himself day after day with his steadfast, tenacious, and rock-solid approach to the Dredge Hurley’s Z-Drive propulsion units that keep it mission-capable. His doing so has been nothing short of miraculous. He has worked through supply chain and material issues, while also salvaging used parts from other damaged and obsolete units in order to complete the repairs of three complete units – all during the historic low water season on the Mississippi River.

    Employee of the Month: Congrats, Tommy!

    Congratulations to Machinist Tommy Reed on his selection as the November Memphis District Employee of the Month!
  • (USACE Photo/Jessica Haas)

    A day with the Memphis District Revetment team

    On Dec. 7, 2022, Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser made the trip down to St. Francisville, Louisiana, to visit the Memphis District Revetment Team at their current project site. The commander spent the day getting a firsthand look at what this talented crew does on a daily basis, getting a better understanding of exactly just how important this team is to executing the Memphis District mission.
  • Congratulations to the Memphis District for recently completing a $6M Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)-funded project at Below Knowlton, Arkansas. “Work to complete revetment stone repairs began on Sep. 27, 2022,” Project Manager Zach Cook said. “Work was then completed ahead of the required completion date on Nov. 8, 2022, despite record low water conditions and stone delivery delays due to tow restrictions.” Contractor Luhr Bros., Inc. from Columbia, Illinois, executed the project work, which consisted of placing approximately 163,000 tons of Graded Stone C (400-pound maximum stone-size) to repair two bank failures. Repairing these banks ultimately restored them to stable slopes.

    Memphis District completes $6M in BIL-funded Revetment Repairs

    Congratulations to the Memphis District for recently completing a $6M Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)-funded project at Below Knowlton, Arkansas. “Work to complete revetment stone repairs began on Sep. 27, 2022,” Project Manager Zach Cook said. “Work was then completed ahead of the required completion date on Nov. 8, 2022, despite record low water conditions and stone delivery delays due to tow restrictions.”
  • The National Technical Committee for the Ordinary High Water Mark meeting in Boise, Idaho to discuss regional variations in OHWM and difficulties in identifying OHWM throughout the U.S. The NTC-OHWM is an interagency committee that includes ERDC CRREL, USACE Regulators, EPA, and academics. This meeting in Idaho took place in August of 2018. The photograph shows the committee members walking along Long Tom Creek.

    Notice of Availability of the Interim Draft of the National Ordinary High Water Mark Field Delineation Manual for Rivers and Streams

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly announce the availability of the Interim Draft of the National Ordinary High Water Mark Field Delineation Manual for Rivers and Streams (National OHWM Manual) and are soliciting public comments on this Interim Draft.

  • November

    Congratulations to Operations Project Manager Vickie Watson on her selection as Memphis District Employee of the Month! Watson is credited for being proactive and coordinating with all 10 harbors and port authorities within the Memphis District’s area of responsibility (AOR), including key tenants at harbors as well as the U.S. Coast Guard, during the recent/ongoing low water conditions.

    Employee of the Month: Congrats, Vickie!

    Congratulations to Operations Project Manager Vickie Watson on her selection as Memphis District Employee of the Month!
  • Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser, district leadership, project delivery team members, and Project Partner Yazoo Mississippi Delta Levee Board, gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony today, Nov. 15, 2022, to celebrate the completed Sherard Seepage Remediation Construction Project. Location: Coahoma County, Mississippi Contract Amount: $1,800,000 Substantial Completion Date: Oct. 17, 2022 Contractor: Syte Corporation Project Partner: Yazoo Mississippi Delta Levee Board

    MVM celebrates completed Sherard Seepage Remediation

    Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser, district leadership, project delivery team members, and Project Partner Yazoo Mississippi Delta Levee Board, gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony today, Nov. 15, 2022, to celebrate the completed Sherard Seepage Remediation Construction Project.
  • On Nov. 8, Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser and district project managers met with the West Tennessee River Basin Authority at Lone Oak Farms in Hardeman County, Tennessee. The Memphis District and the Basin Authority are partnering on a variety of projects in West Tennessee, including Running Reelfoot Bayou, Cypress Creek, and Piney Creek.

    Memphis District Commander meets w/West TN River Basin Authority

    On Nov. 8, Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser and district project managers met with the West Tennessee River Basin Authority at Lone Oak Farms in Hardeman County, Tennessee. The Memphis District and the Basin Authority are partnering on a variety of projects in West Tennessee, including Running Reelfoot Bayou, Cypress Creek, and Piney Creek.
  • The Memphis District recently finalized the feasibility study phase of the Piney Creek Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project. The study, conducted in accordance with Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, identified and evaluated alternatives in a decision document that recommended a coordinated and implementable solution for restoring aquatic ecosystem of Piney Creek.

    Piney Creek: Feasibility study complete, construction on horizon

    The Memphis District recently finalized the feasibility study phase of the Piney Creek Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project. The study, conducted in accordance with Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, identified and evaluated alternatives in a decision document that recommended a coordinated and implementable solution for restoring aquatic ecosystem of Piney Creek.

  • October

    Quality Assurance photo of the Locust Creek project site in Craighead County, Arkansas. The creek is part of the St. Francis River Basin and required approximately 12,000 linear feet of sediment removal. A $1,289,305 contract was awarded to Innovative Performance Construction Company to complete the needed two miles of excavation. "The purpose of this project was to improve drainage along the Locust Creek area," Wynn Area Office Civil Engineer Jason Britt said. "Improvements to drainage will reduce standing water upstream of the project area, thereby reducing the amount of standing water against the levees." To clear the creek, the contractor removed material from the channel using a dragline before placing the excavated material in the levee as Excavated Material Embankment (EME). In partnership with the St. Francis Levee District of Arkansas, construction began on Oct. 15, 2021. It was declared substantially complete on Jul. 9, 2022.

    Celebrating value-added projects, district professionals, partners

    Memphis District Deputy Commander, Lt. Col. Robert Green, district leadership, project delivery team members, and district partners celebrated the completion of three district projects in Missouri and Arkansas on Sept. 29, 2022.
  • Joanna Neu is a permit manager and serves as the Regulatory Division's Collateral Duty Safety Officer (CDSO). She provides safety updates to the Regulatory Team at the start of every monthly staff meeting, takes initiative to update the staff on current trends, and continues to ensure the team safely executes the regulatory mission. Recently, she identified the need to strengthen site visit accountability procedures. She got the buy-in from the entire team and then formally instructed the staff on the new accountability processes. The regulatory team has now been accident free for the past five fiscal years and with Joanna's leadership, they're on target to make it to six and beyond that without any problem whatsoever. Great job, Joanna! Way to look out and take the initiative. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!

    Congrats and Thank You, Joanna!

    Permit Manager Joanna Neu identified a need to strengthen site visit accountability procedures. After getting the Regulatory Team's buy-in, she followed through with formally instructing the staff on the newly created accountability processes. The regulatory team has been accident free for the past five fiscal years, and with Joanna's leadership, they're on target for another year free of any safety incidents, making their office accident-free for a total of six years.
  • Congrats to Dr. Zuzana Chovanec on her recent recognition and receiving of a Civilian Service Commendation Medal! She was commended for delivering exceptional results as the Memphis District’s Regulatory Archaeologist for the authorization of a Department of the Army permit for the Ford Motor Company’s Blue Oval City industrial development in Haywood County, Tennessee.

    Congratulations, Zuzana!

    Congrats to Dr. Zuzana Chovanec on her recent recognition and receiving of a Civilian Service Commendation Medal! She was commended for delivering exceptional results as the Memphis District’s Regulatory Archaeologist for the authorization of a Department of the Army permit for the Ford Motor Company’s Blue Oval City industrial development in Haywood County, Tennessee.

  • September

    (left) Operations Division Andrea Williams and (right) District Counsel Suzy Weil are the first women to hold leadership positions historically held by men.

    Memphis District Trailblazers: Leading with style, humility, to make change

    All Memphis District leaders are exceptional, but these women set the standard. Perhaps it's because their leadership styles are relationship-based, or maybe it's their strength and resiliency. It could also be that when they're wrong, they willingly admit it and do so gracefully. All these traits are fantastic, but their vested interest in employees sets them over the top because leadership is about taking care of people, and that’s what these leaders do every single day. In this second article of the series, Operations Division Chief Andrea Williams and District Counsel Suzy Weil discuss their leadership styles, benefits of women in leadership, and resiliency in difficult times.
  • Luhr Bros., Inc. of Columbia, Illinois, was awarded a construction contract on Sept. 9 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District, to perform dike construction and maintenance along the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tennessee. The awarded $6.8 million comes from a combination of the Disaster Relief Supplemental Act of 2022 (DRSAA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding.

    $6.8M awarded for dike construction, river navigation improvements

    Luhr Bros., Inc. of Columbia, Illinois, was awarded a construction contract on Sept. 9 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District, to perform dike construction and maintenance along the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tennessee.
  • August Employee of the Month Civil Engineer Samantha Harper was called upon to support the commander’s visits, to which she happily accepted. Supporting these visits included working with district Project Management personnel to plan the visits, prepare the presentations, as well as providing multiple presentations at various project sites featuring the Marion Berry Pumping Station and Grand Prairie Pumping Station. She did everything from unlocking gates and buildings to preparing the presentation boards, giving presentations, and providing guided tours of the pumping plants.

    Congrats to Employee of the Month, Samantha Harper!!

    When life gives you Monday, the Memphis District gives you motivation. How? Because MVM employees know how to rock it like no one else. Take for example the district's latest Employee of the Month, Samantha Harper. During the month of August, District Commander Col. Brian Sawser had the opportunity to meet with our Grand Prairie and Bayou Meto project sponsors to get a firsthand look at all the work that’s been done thus far.
  • This much-needed project reduced seepage along the St. Francis River levee. Seepage remediation berms help prevent water from passing under levees, which can later lead to sand boils and threaten the overall integrity of the flood protection system. The Corps partnered with the Mud Slough Drainage District No. 1 to complete the $2,666,362 seepage remediation project in the vicinity of U.S. Highway 412, along the St. Francis River levee. To complete the project, contractor SYTE Corporation constructed approximately 3,500 feet of seepage berms by placing 100,562 cubic yards of compacted fill in the seepage berm.

    Big Island Seepage Remediation Project substantially complete

    Congratulations to the Memphis District for completing a seepage remediation construction project on July 16, 2022. This much-needed project reduced seepage along the St. Francis River levee. Seepage remediation berms help prevent water from passing under levees, which can later lead to sand boils and threaten the overall integrity of the flood protection system.
  • The Memphis District recently awarded a contract, Aug. 10, to perform revetment stone repairs at Below Knowlton, near Crumrod, Arkansas, (River Mile 619). Through this contract, the Corps will partner with Commercial Towing Interests, represented by the Lower Mississippi River Committee (LOMRC), to complete a $6,084,400 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)-funded project.

    Contract awarded, $6 million IIJA funds towards addt'l Miss River revetment repairs

    The Memphis District recently awarded a contract, Aug. 10,  to perform revetment stone repairs at Below Knowlton, near Crumrod, Arkansas, (River Mile 619).  Through this contract, the Corps will partner with Commercial Towing Interests, represented by the Lower Mississippi River Committee (LOMRC), to complete a $6,084,400 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)-funded project.
  • 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

    Memphis District Trailblazers: District Counsel Suzy Weil, Engineering and Construction Division Chief Elizabeth Burks, Mississippi Valley Division Commander Maj. Gen. Diana Holland, Operations Division Chief Andrea Williams, and Chief of RCO/Emergency Management (EM) Kandita “Kandi” H. Waller pose for a photo during a town hall gathering in June of 2022.

    Memphis District Trailblazers

    The Memphis District is making history by doing one of the things it does best: taking care of people. It does this by making sure its employees are given opportunities, women, and men alike, to grow and flourish in their careers. Given Women’s Equality Day was Aug. 26, the Memphis District is celebrating this group of ‘firsts’ with the series, “Memphis District Trailblazers”. These notable women leading our district include Engineering and Construction Division Chief Elizabeth Burks, District Chief of Contracting Priscilla Sweeney, Readiness and Contingency Operations (RCO) / Emergency Management (EM) Chief Kandi Waller, District Counsel Suzy Weil, Operations Division Chief Andrea Williams, and Resource Management Division Chief Voncile Williams.