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Archive: 2023
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  • December

    All 43 of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Deputy District Engineers for Programs and Project Management (DPM) met in San Antonio, Texas, on October 20 for a two-day forum coined "The DPM Forum Top 6." DPMs gather twice yearly to share best practices, tackle the past year's challenges, and develop strategies that best move the organization ahead. Several representatives from USACE Headquarters, including the 55th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon spoke to the group about all the incredible work the Corps is doing nationwide. The commander also touched on expressing capabilities, work acceptance, design maturity, and telling our story.

    Charting the Course | USACE DPM Forum Top 6

    All 43 of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Deputy District Engineers for Programs and Project Management (DPM) met in San Antonio, Texas, on October 20 for a two-day forum coined "The DPM Forum Top 6." DPMs gather twice yearly to share best practices, tackle the past year's challenges, and develop strategies that best move the organization ahead. Several representatives from USACE Headquarters, including the 55th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon spoke to the group about all the incredible work the Corps is doing nationwide. The commander also touched on expressing capabilities, work acceptance, design maturity, and telling our story.

  • August

    Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser and several members of the district leadership team traveled to Mhoon Bend, Mississippi, on July 12, to visit the district's Bank Grading Unit team and observe the new bank grader, Grader 1, in action for the first time since its arrival and christening earlier this year. With this year’s revetment season now in full swing, the BGU is laser-focused on accomplishing two key objectives, with the first being training, both contractor-led and on-the-job, to attain the necessary certifications and practice according to each employees' role. Additionally, unit operators will use this first test site to calibrate the newly constructed machine, ensuring it's “put through the paces,” so to speak. Additionally, unit operators will use this first test site to calibrate the newly constructed machine, ensuring it's “put through the paces,” so to speak.

    New Bank Grading Unit “Grader 1” | Begins season with focus on calibration, training

    Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser, Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management Donny Davidson, Operations Division Chief Andrea Williams, Channel Improvement Project Manager Zach Cook, and Regional Channel Improvement Coordinator Jake Storz, traveled to Mhoon Bend, Mississippi, on July 12, to visit the Memphis District Bank Grading Unit team and observe the new bank grader, Grader 1, in action for the first time since its arrival and christening earlier this year. The district’s Bank Grading Unit (BGU) is the second field activity of Revetment Operations following the Clearing and Snagging Unit. It grades the banks of the Mississippi River to the proposed design slopes to support the sinking of Articulated Concrete Mattress (ACM) performed by the Vicksburg District’s Mat Sinking Unit.

  • July

    Memphis District awards contract Stewart Towhead Dikes & Dike Stone Repairs

    The Memphis District continues its 141-year 'winning' tradition of safely delivering quality projects on time and within budget by recently awarding two separate contracts for Mississippi River dike repair and construction projects.

  • June

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Memphis District maintains a safe and dependable navigation channel for 355 miles of the Mississippi River. It delivers on this charge by constructing dikes and other river training structures, performing revetment and dredging operations, and executing several other navigation and flood risk management projects. The Memphis District completes dozens of projects annually to ensure a safe and reliable waterway, most recently partnering with Commercial Towing Interests, represented by the Lower Mississippi River Committee (LOMRC), to carry out a dike construction and restoration project in New Madrid, Missouri.

    Dike restoration project minimizes excessive dredging, supports river

    The Memphis District completes dozens of projects annually to ensure a safe and reliable waterway, most recently partnering with Commercial Towing Interests, represented by the Lower Mississippi River Committee (LOMRC), to carry out a dike construction and restoration project in New Madrid, Missouri.

  • May

    In line with USACE’s top priority, public safety, the Memphis District is part of a huge undertaking to design, procure, and construct hurricane and storm risk reduction features and ensure the Mississippi River remains viable from New Orleans to Venice, Louisiana. The purpose of the New Orleans to Venice (NOV) project is much bigger than what Memphis is doing for this project. Overall, the NOV project will achieve storm risk reduction for Plaquemines Parish by repairing and restoring the original federal project levees, replacing, or modifying certain Non-Federal Levees (NFL), accelerating the completion of unconstructed portions of the authorized project and armoring critical elements of the authorized project along the Mississippi River, from Oakville to Venice on the West Bank, and Phoenix to Bohemia on the East Bank. While not inside Memphis District footprint, the project is a key component in showcasing the capability of the Memphis District.

    New Orleans to Venice by way of Memphis

    In line with USACE’s top priority, public safety, the Memphis District is part of a huge undertaking to design, procure, and construct hurricane and storm risk reduction features and ensure the Mississippi River remains viable from New Orleans to Venice, Louisiana.
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District officially launched its new, $25.5 million Bank Grading Unit (BGU), “Grader 1”, with a May 2 christening ceremony on a boat ramp located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee.

    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.
  • Congratulations to Metals Unit Welder/Fitter Leaderman, Mr. Joey Cabay, on his Employee of the Month recognition for the month of February! On top of the responsibilities handled by a Welder, Metal Worker, and Fitter, Cabay regularly takes on much more than what is asked of him.

    Congrats to February Employee of the Month, Joey Cabay!

    Congratulations to Metals Unit Welder/Fitter Leaderman, Mr. Joey Cabay, on his Employee of the Month recognition for the month of February! On top of the responsibilities handled by a Welder, Metal Worker, and Fitter, Cabay regularly takes on much more than what is asked of him.
  • Congratulations to March Employee of the Month, Outreach Coordinator Brian Schneider! Schneider was recently recognized for his exceptional work and contributions to the Memphis District’s Navy RAM Lab project. His work involved coordinating with the Project Delivery Team and other districts to secure the necessary contracting capacity while also ensuring contracting requirements were met. Schneider also maintained coordination with Memphis District senior leadership, MVD leadership at the SES level, and leadership within the U.S. Navy, including the SES level. Throughout all this work, Schneider maintained the highest level of professionalism, even during some extremely challenging situations.

    Congrats to March Employee of the Month, Brian Schneider!

    Congratulations to March Employee of the Month, Outreach Coordinator Brian Schneider!
  • Deputy District Engineers for Programs and Project Management from across the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers gathered in Charleston, South Carolina, for a two-day Deputy Forum. Twice a year, all 43 USACE DPMs meet in person to tackle challenges, share best practices, and seek opportunities to develop forward moving strategies for the organization.

    Deputy Forum meets to develop forward-moving strategies for USACE

    Programs and Project Management Deputy District Engineers (DPM) from across the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, gathered in Charleston, South Carolina, for a two-day Deputy Forum on April 26. Twice a year, all 43 USACE DPMs meet in person to tackle challenges, share best practices, and seek opportunities to develop forward moving strategies for the organization.
  • On June 20, six U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Memphis District employees received length of service certificates presented by Maj. Gen. Michael Wehr, Mississippi Valley Division Commanding General. Pictured left to right, are Memphis District commander Col. Michael Ellicott, Kim Lewis (30 years of service), Teresa Martinez (35 years of service), Jack Ratliff (30 years of service), Robert Fletcher (25 years of service), Jackie Whitlock (35 years of service), Hugh Coleman (35 years of service), and Maj. Gen. Wehr.

    Ratliff named Memphis District Employee of the Month

    Congratulations to Mr. Jack Ratliff on his recent selection as January 2023 Employee of the Month. Nominated by three separate district employees/offices, Ratliff is ultimately commended for embracing his new position as the Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) of the Groundwater Security Office since rejoining the Memphis District from the Little Rock District approximately four months ago.
  • 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.

    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.
  • Another record-breaking season is in the books after the Memphis District’s Revetment Units returned home mid-March of 2023, making it one of the longest seasons had in 20 years. The Memphis District’s Clearing and Snagging and Bank Grading Units are primarily responsible for preparing Mississippi riverbanks for the placement of articulated concrete mattress (ACM), which is accomplished by the Vicksburg District’s Mat Sinking Unit.

    Memphis District revetment units breaks record, longest season in 20 years

    Another record-breaking season is in the books after the Memphis District’s Revetment Units returned home mid-March of 2023, making it one of the longest seasons had in 20 years.

  • April

    The Memphis District recently completed dike construction and maintenance at Coahoma-Armstrong near Memphis, Tennessee (MS River Mile 719) on March 23, 2023. The project completion will result in long-term improvement of the navigation channel crossing in this reach of the river, which has historically been a low water problem spot for the commercial towing industry.

    Memphis-area dike construction complete, commercial towing industry to benefit immediately, long-term

    The Memphis District recently completed dike construction and maintenance at Coahoma-Armstrong near Memphis, Tennessee (MS River Mile 719), March 23, 2023. The project completion will result in long-term improvement of the navigation channel crossing in this reach of the river, which has historically been a low water problem spot for the commercial towing industry. The project was awarded as a task order through an existing Mississippi River Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) using a combination of Disaster Relief Supplemental Act of 2022 (DRSAA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding.
  • Congratulations to the Memphis District for reaching a major project milestone on March 8, 2023, and for awarding a task order for dike construction at Below Walnut Bend and Shoofly Bar near Helena, Arkansas. The project delivery team awarded the task order via the Mississippi River Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC), with $6,055,440 going to contractor Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Company from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Contract funding came from the Disaster Relief Supplemental Act of 2022 (DRSAA) provided by Congress in late 2021.

    Contract awarded for Mississippi River dike construction near Helena, Arkansas

    Congratulations to the Memphis District for reaching a major project milestone on March 8, 2023, and for awarding a task order for dike construction at Below Walnut Bend and Shoofly Bar near Helena, Arkansas. The project delivery team awarded the task order via the Mississippi River Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC), with $6,055,440 going to contractor Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Company from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Contract funding came from the Disaster Relief Supplemental Act of 2022 (DRSAA) provided by Congress in late 2021. “This work is critical to helping maintain the navigation channel crossing in this reach of the river and we are thankful for the continued investment being made by Congress in our river infrastructure,” Memphis District Channel Improvement Project Manager Zach Cook said.   
  • The Memphis District officially welcomed a brand new, $25.5 million Bank Grading Unit (BGU), April 11, 2023, when it docked at its new home port at Ensley Engineer Yard in Memphis, Tennessee. The new BGU was built over a period of three years and is replacing the district’s legacy bank grader. With nearly 75 years of operations in the books, it’s safe to say the 1949 barge-mounted Bucyrus-Erie dragline model is ready for retirement.

    Memphis District retires a legacy, replaces with faster, better, brighter model

    The Memphis District officially welcomed a new, $25.5 million Bank Grading Unit (BGU), April 11, 2023, when it docked at its new home port at Ensley Engineer Yard in Memphis, Tennessee. Constructed in three years, the new BGU is replacing the district’s legacy bank grader, and with nearly 75 years of operations in the books, it’s safe to say the 1949 barge-mounted Bucyrus-Erie dragline model is ready for retirement.
  • Memphis District Industry Day announcement.

    Memphis District to host Industry Day May 23rd

    Interested in doing business with the Federal Government? The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District is hosting an Industry Day on May 23rd, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Renasant Convention Center, 255 North Main Street, Memphis.

  • Congrats, and thank you to Ms. Codi Till!

    The Memphis District stays busy with executing significant projects in support of the districts many initiatives, as well as hosting their valued partners and sponsors on trips like the Mississippi River Commission Inspection Trips twice a year. These projects and events are always successful; the reason for this is due to the teams and people who are working hard behind the scenes in support of these important events. If it weren't for the crew working hard in support of each event, trip, and project, none of what our district does would ever come to fruition; that's why recognizing these support teams is just as important as the event itself. With that said, recognizing those people for a job well done is just as important as the event itself, which is why we are so happy to say congratulations to Ms. Codi Till!

  • March

    Channel Improvement Projects discussed during the Channel Improvement Team Meeting included Articulated Concrete Mattress operations, Mat Loading Unit operations, Bank Grading Unit Operations, and the Clearing and Snagging Unit operations, among other projects forecasted for the upcoming year.

    Memphis District’s annual Mississippi River Channel Improvement meeting a success

    Members of the Regional Channel Improvement (RCI) Team met in New Orleans, Louisiana, for their annual Mississippi River Channel Improvement meeting, Feb. 7 – 8, 2023 to discuss new channel improvement projects and other current channel improvement issues.

  • February

    Engineer Week 2023

    2023 Engineer Week: Creating the Future

    Engineers Week is February 19 - 25, 2023 this year. Engineer Week is a celebration that takes place on the third week of February annually because it coincides with President George Washington’s birthday. This is significant, since Washington is considered our Nation’s first engineer, and he also appointed the first engineer officers to the U.S. Army on June 16, 1775.
  • The Memphis District’s Dredge Hurley returned to its home port, Ensley Engineer Yard in Memphis Harbor on Jan. 13, 2023, after finishing a record-breaking 273-day season, which began Apr. 26, 2022. In those eight and a half months, the 36-person crew removed 14.5 million cubic yards of material, which is the most the Dredge Hurley has ever removed in a single season.

    Memphis District's Dredge Hurley returns home ending most productive, longest season on record

    The Memphis District’s Dredge Hurley returned to its home port, Ensley Engineer Yard in Memphis Harbor on Jan. 13, 2023, after finishing a record-breaking 273-day season, which began Apr. 26, 2022. In those eight and a half months, the 36-person crew dredged 14.5 million cubic yards of material, which is the most the Dredge Hurley has ever removed in a single season.