All articles tagged with #army corps of engineers
The Army Corps of Engineers temporarily took control of two dams on the Skagit River to reduce flooding, successfully lowering peak water levels by 4-5 feet and preventing more severe floods, demonstrating the role of dam management in flood mitigation while highlighting the environmental trade-offs of dam infrastructure.
The Trump administration is pausing over $11 billion in Army Corps of Engineers projects, including in Democratic-led cities like New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Baltimore, as part of efforts to pressure Democrats amid a prolonged government shutdown, which has also led to the freezing of billions in infrastructure and climate-related funding and the potential layoff of thousands of federal workers.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is pausing over $11 billion in projects due to the government shutdown, with funds allocated to lower-priority projects in major cities, as part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to cut federal spending and reduce workforce, amidst ongoing political disputes.
26 barges broke loose and floated uncontrolled down the Ohio River, causing extensive damage to marinas and boat slips. Most of the barges were loaded with dry cargo, and efforts are underway to secure and retrieve them. The incident occurred under high water conditions and is being investigated by Campbell Transportation. This follows recent storms and flooding in the Pittsburgh region, raising concerns about bridge security and river transportation.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to partially reopen the Baltimore shipping channel by the end of April and fully restore traffic by late May after a cargo ship's collision caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. President Biden is scheduled to visit the site and meet with the families of the workers presumed dead in the collapse. The reopening is crucial for the Port of Baltimore, a major automobile hub employing 8,000 people, and the reconstruction of the bridge is expected to be a lengthy and costly process.
The Army Corps of Engineers provided a close-up look at the damage caused by the Key Bridge collapse, revealing the mangled steel and wreckage below the water's surface. Divers are facing dark and dangerous conditions as they work to recover the missing construction workers, while engineers are making progress in removing sections of the wreckage and opening an alternate channel for commercial traffic. The complexity of the challenge ahead is significant.
Recovery efforts for the ill-fated cargo ship Dali, which caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Harbor, are complicated by the need to stabilize the ship and remove the steel wreckage. The Army Corps of Engineers aims to prevent the ship from shifting in the current while supporting the wreckage, and plans to use anchors, tug boats, and heavy lift cranes to lift and remove the 4,000-ton section resting across the ship. The presence of a natural gas line under the ship and bridge wreckage further complicates the recovery efforts, while the need to clear the channel of debris to accommodate large ships adds to the challenge.
Army Corps of Engineers divers are facing "lethal" hazards, including "razor sharp" steel, as they work to clear wreckage and search for bodies in the aftermath of the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore harbor. The twisted metal of the bridge, submerged cargo ship, and surrounding waters present a complex and dangerous challenge, with divers working in darkness 50 feet below the surface. The Corps is tasked with clearing the channel and ensuring safe transit of vessels, while also prioritizing the recovery of missing workers' bodies.
Mike Mohn, a dedicated employee of the Army Corps of Engineers for 20 years, is remembered as a gifted innovator and consummate professional by his former supervisor, Dan Sirkis. Mohn, who tragically lost his life in a heinous crime committed by his son, is honored for his outstanding achievements and dedication to his family. Described as a fixture in the district, Mohn's legacy as a great employee, father, and mentor lives on as his colleagues and community mourn his loss.
Forecasts for saltwater advancing up the Mississippi River towards New Orleans have been pushed back by around a month, potentially sparing most of the city and Jefferson Parish from the threat. The updated forecast by the Army Corps of Engineers has provided relief to officials in the area, who were scrambling to protect drinking water. While some areas are still predicted to be affected, the need for an emergency pipeline estimated to cost up to a quarter of a billion dollars may be avoided. New Orleans plans to proceed with pipeline construction if necessary, while Jefferson Parish will partially build smaller-scale pipelines.
The Army Corps of Engineers is set to raise the underwater sill by 25 feet in the Mississippi River to slow down saltwater intrusion, which is expected to reach New Orleans by October. The construction project will take 24 days and is aimed at fortifying the sill that was previously constructed to create an artificial basin. Local, state, and federal officials are working to protect water systems and intake points, while Governor John Bel Edwards assures the public that there is no need to panic.
The US Army Corps of Engineers plans to barge 36 million gallons of freshwater daily into the lower Mississippi River near New Orleans to combat saltwater intrusion threatening the area's drinking water supply. Water levels are dropping due to extreme drought, allowing ocean water to push north into the drinking water systems. To mitigate the intrusion, the state and the Army Corps of Engineers are adding height to an underwater levee and will transport millions of gallons of water daily to local treatment facilities. The Mississippi River is expected to reach historic lows, exacerbating the problem. The governor announced plans to deliver bottled water to the area, but there is no shortage of bottled water in the state or country.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has warned of "severe flooding" downstream of the Ball Mountain Dam and Townshend Dam in southern Vermont as they prepare to release "unprecedented quantities of water" over their spillways. Low-lying areas in several towns, including Jamaica, Townshend, and Brattleboro, are at greatest risk, and increased flooding may limit road access and evacuation efforts.
The Army Corps of Engineers' plan to spend up to $5 billion on repairs and upgrades to Puerto Rico's electric grid is causing controversy. The plan includes building temporary natural gas- and oil-fired power plants, which goes against a 2019 Puerto Rican law calling for a transition to 100 percent carbon-free electricity. Environmental groups and critics argue that the investment should focus on renewable energy sources instead. This announcement also contradicts the Biden administration's efforts to boost Puerto Rico's solar capacity. The Energy Department has received $1 billion to support solar and battery storage projects on the island.
Two weeks after Typhoon Mawar hit Guam, thousands of residents are still without water or electricity. The storm caused $112 million in damage to the island's commercial sector. However, recovery efforts are steadily ongoing, with Guam Power Authority restoring 66% of its system load and Guam Waterworks Authority restoring the majority of its wells. The government expects Guam to be up to 95% recovered in one month. Various federal agencies, including FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers, are assisting with recovery efforts. Despite the challenges, residents are taking the recovery process in stride.