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US Army Corps of Engineers

Memphis District Website

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Revetment Operations

Revetment operations are primarily the preparation for, and placement of articulated concrete mattress (ACM) from the water's edge, out to design limits in conjunction with stone paving, from water's edge to top bank, which stabilizes the riverbank and maintains the proper navigation channel alignment.

This operation is normally done from mid-July through mid-November (during low water) and involves men and equipment from Cairo, Illinois, to below New Orleans, Louisiana, on the Mississippi River and along the Atchafalaya River.

The Memphis District provides for clearing of the banks, grading of the banks, articulated concrete mattress (ACM) loading from the mat casting fields, and a portion of motor vessel towing of the barges is ACM. The Vicksburg District places the ACM, and private contractors provide the stone placement which is called "upper bank paving."

Bank Grading Unit

The Memphis District's inner unit of the Bank Grading Unit, clearing and snagging, is the first field activity of revetment operations. It begins work in early July, clearing the riverbanks of trees and debris to make way for the bank graders and ACM Mat Sinking Unit of the Vicksburg District. The work is accomplished with the use of a barge mounted dragline and bulldozers.

Where grading is required, the bank grading party moves in next (about two weeks later) to prepare the riverbank to the design grade and elevation to accommodate the ACM and upper bank paving. Additional earthmoving capacity is provided by a compliment of bulldozers. Bedding material (crushed stone) is also placed by this party using a barge mounted dragline with a 100-foot boom with a clamshell bucket. All equipment is moved by towboats up and down the river to the appropriate locations for work.

Navigation Highlights

Project Manager Zach Cook, and his dedicated Project Delivery Team secured the win on the FY25 Dike Stone Repair Project by balancing the constraints of safety, time, budget, and quality, creating value for our partners, stakeholders, and the American taxpayer.

This important $2.9 million Mississippi River channel maintenance project placed 82k tons of Graded Stone A to repair and restore multiple dikes to “As-Built” conditions at Sycamore Chute, Tennessee.

Dikes assist in maintaining the navigation channel by helping to promote scouring of the riverbed during low water. Dikes are most effective during low water periods and are considering the more permanent solution in maintaining navigation as opposed to repetitive maintenance dredging.

The area of the project dikes was the most dredged spot within the Memphis District area of responsibility during the last three low-water seasons. The dike repair project minimizes the future need for dredging this location. (Courtesy Photo)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District, christened its new dry dock during a ceremony held at Ensley Engineer Yard, April 2, 2024.

The dry dock was named after Billy Manley, who worked as the yards and docks chief for the district until his passing in 2020.

More than 80 people attended the christening, including several members of Manley's family, his friends, and district employees. In keeping with USACE tradition, Manley's wife, Teresa Manley, conducted the act of christening and District Commander Col. Brian Sawser directed it to service to the current chief of yards and docks, Dennis Lewis.

The Dry Dock Manley was constructed at Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana, before arriving at Ensley Engineer Yard on December 15, 2023. It is 168 feet long, has a 77-foot beam, a draft of 4.5 feet, and a lifting capacity of 1000 tons.

The Mississippi River Commission hears public testimony aboard the Memphis District’s M/V Mississippi while docked in Tiptonville, Tennessee.

This was the first of four public hearings held during the 2022 MRC low water inspection trip. (USACE Photo/PA Specialist Jessica Haas)

The M/V Mississippi docked at Beale Street Landing, Memphis, Tennessee, for the second of four public hearings as part of the 2022 MRC low water inspection trip. (USACE Photo by Public Affairs Specialist Jessica Haas)

The Motor Vessel Mississippi at Mud Island Boat Ramp in Memphis, Tennessee, during today's Mississippi River Commission High Water Inspection Trip Public Hearing. (USACE Photo by Public Affairs Chief Ken Williams)

IN THE PHOTO, the Inland Dredging Company's cutterhead dredge "Integrity" works to dredge the Memphis Harbor/McKellar Lake, which was the last of 10 harbors dredged in the Memphis District during 2019. (USACE Photo / Jessica Haas)

Matt Loading Unit

The Memphis District Articulated Concrete Mattress (ACM) Loading Unit goes into action about two weeks prior to Vicksburg District's ACM Sinking Plant, which begins work on about August 1st (the low water season).

The Memphis District equipment is moved by water to one of the ACM casting fields located adjacent to the Mississippi River in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi or Louisiana.

The ACM is loaded onto trucks and hauled to the riverbank.

There the ACM is loaded onto barges and then placed in tow to the sinking plant.