The most recent appropriations for the Department of War expired at 11:59 p.m. EST on September 30, 2025. Military personnel will continue in a normal duty status without pay until such time as a continuing resolution or appropriations are passed by Congress and signed into law. Civilian personnel not engaged in excepted activities will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status.

News from Around the Northwestern Division

Blue-sky day training helps responders prepare for future flood events

By Christine E. Reinhardt, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Sept. 26, 2025
Natural disasters don’t care about chain of command or what roles and responsibilities lie with which local, state or federal government agency. The destruction caused by natural disasters can happen anytime and anywhere. So, having coordinated preparedness plans at all levels of government is vital for effective response when these events inevitably occur. On a sunny, temperate day in middle Missouri, dozens of emergency management personnel convened for a two-day event aimed at doing just this – discussing policy, operations, recovery and hands-on training for a variety of disaster scenarios. The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency hosted a regional coordinator meeting on Sept. 23 and 24 in Jefferson City, Missouri, during National Preparedness Month.
Mentorship made simple: New app helps connect employees across Kansas City District

By Lawrence Brooks IV Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Published Sept. 26, 2025
When thinking about professional development within the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Leadership Development Program is the gold standard. That’s why fiscal year 2024 LDP graduate, security specialist Jason Smith, took his year two LDP project to the next level — developing an internal mentorship application that focuses on leveraging the principles he and other district senior leadership learned in LDP and throughout their careers in federal service.
Construction on second project under Tribal Partnership Program has begun

By Delanie Stafford USACE OMAHA DISTRICT Published Sept. 23, 2025
Construction on a second U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District project under the Tribal Partnership Program has begun. The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe North Ecosystem Restoration Project will help mitigate shoreline erosion along Lake Sharpe in Lower Brule, South Dakota. It is being funded through a cost-sharing agreement between USACE and the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, or LBST, under program requirements.
Vietnam veterans of Bravo Company receive long-overdue Bronze Star Medals

By Andrew Nystrom USACE OMAHA DISTRICT Published Sept. 19, 2025
More than half a century after their service in the jungles of Vietnam, 14 veterans of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, were formally presented Bronze Star Medals during a ceremony Sept. 18, 2025, at American Legion Post 1 in Omaha.
USACE Omaha District continues modernization mission at U.S. Air Force Academy

By Lisa Crawford U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District Published Sept. 18, 2025
As the U.S. Air Force celebrates its 78th birthday this year on Sept. 18, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, continues to play a pivotal role in supporting modernization efforts, including expanding facilities at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
‘Like a detective looking for evidence in a crime scene’: How collecting high-water marks helps flood risk reduction efforts

By Christine E. Reinhardt, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Sept. 11, 2025
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to see it, does it make a sound? Similarly, if a heavy rain event causes flooding overnight and no one is awake to see it, did it happen? Of course it did. But, how do you know how high the water got if no one was there to witness it? This was the scenario facing the City of Merriam, Kansas, after a significant rainfall event occurred overnight and into the early morning of July 17, 2025. Turkey Creek, which runs through the city, is prone to flash flooding during heavy rain events. On July 17, the creek flooded, impacting parts of the city, but it all occurred overnight when most people were asleep. The flood waters receded almost as quickly as they rose, posing the question: how high did the water get?
USACE completes South Jetty repairs, concludes decade-long Mouth of Columbia River project

By Portland District Published Sept. 5, 2025
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, has completed major rehabilitation to the South Jetty at the mouth of the Columbia River, marking the end of a decade-plus effort to restore the three jetties that protect one of the nation’s busiest trade corridors.
Walla Walla District-led health initiative scales across USACE to strengthen Workforce readiness

By Glenn Joshua U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District Published Sept. 4, 2025
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District is emphasizing a proactive approach toward workforce readiness by making medical surveillance a key component of its occupational health strategy.
Herd Highlight: Russell Somsen, Oahe Project natural resource specialist

By Delanie Stafford USACE OMAHA DISTRICT Published Sept. 3, 2025
Meet Russell (Russ) Somsen, a natural resources specialist at the Oahe Project in Fort Pierre, South Dakota. Russ has worked 35 years for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Omaha District in a variety of roles to include work with the Emergent Sandbar Habitat Program, threatened and endangered species, noxious weed control, ecosystem mitigation, visitor services and the processing of real estate and regulatory actions. He also serves as a contracting officer representative for multiple contracts.
Libby Dam 50th Commemoration: Reflections of Legacy

By Nicole L. Celestine U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Seattle District Published Aug. 28, 2025
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District celebrated 50 years of operations at Libby Dam, during its commemoration event at Libby, Montana, Aug. 23, 2025. The event recognized the achievements of former and current USACE employees in building and maintaining the dam, the partnerships that made it possible and to reflect on the impacts the dam has on the region and the nation.
The Kansas City District tests AI and GoPro technology to improve roadway and campground maintenance with new pilot program

By Lawrence Brooks IV, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Aug. 27, 2025
The Kansas City District has long played a significant role in testing and implementing new approaches to conducting work across its sprawling footprint in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. Now, a new pilot program that leverages GoPro cameras and Artificial Intelligence technology reflects a broader commitment to using these tools for smarter, more efficient ways to serve the needs of the public it serves across the region.
Dworshak’s “Skeleton Bay” flooded in key step toward regional energy growth

By Marcy Sanchez U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District Published Aug. 21, 2025
On the banks of the North Fork Clearwater River, a new chapter is being written for one of the Pacific Northwest’s most important hydropower resources. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Walla Walla District, in partnership with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), has taken a key step toward expanding the Dworshak Dam powerhouse with a fourth generating unit.
Garrison Dam team meets a paddling pal

By Joshua Plueger U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District Published Aug. 15, 2025
Kyle Parker, a Wisconsin native and canoe enthusiast, reached the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District's Lake Sakakawea Marina boat ramp, July 17, 2025. Parker is paddling from the tip of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, to the southernmost tip of Florida.
Fort Scott National Cemetery Lodge: Standing watch over our nation’s fallen heroes

By Christine E. Reinhardt, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Aug. 6, 2025
There is something awe-inspiring about seeing thousands of white marble headstones uniformly lined up throughout pristinely manicured grounds. Entering the iron gates of the Fort Scott National Cemetery, a quiet somberness descends as you take in the graves nestled into the hillside. While the cemetery has existed since the 1840s, it wasn’t designated as a national cemetery until 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln—making it one of the first to be dedicated to American military personnel. Back then, it was common for cemeteries to have caretakers responsible for maintaining the grounds. These caretakers and their families often lived in houses built inside the cemeteries, and at the Fort Scott National Cemetery, the caretaker’s lodge is still standing. Not only is it still standing, but it’s currently used as administrative offices, dressing rooms and storage for today’s staff.
Herd Highlight: Patricia Gilbert-Ball, natural resource specialist and district’s only beekeeper

By Delanie Stafford U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District Published July 31, 2025
Patricia Gilbert-Ball, a natural resources specialist and park ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District’s Fort Peck Project in Montana, is also the district's only beekeeper.
Answering the call: Kansas City District volunteers bring expertise, compassion to national disaster response

By Lawrence Brooks IV, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published July 29, 2025
As incidents of extreme storms and natural disasters continue to rise across the nation, more volunteers are needed to help their fellow Americans find normalcy in their lives again. That's why the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has consistently deployed volunteers and emergency management professionals to support recovery efforts in some of the most ravaged area across the nation.
Love, Carissa: Granddaughter’s legacy is saving lives one lifejacket at a time

By Christine E. Paul, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published July 23, 2025
Shannon Shaw never thought she’d be part of a growing group of grieving families who’ve lost a loved one by drowning. In 2015, her granddaughter, Carissa, tragically drowned at the age of nine while swimming in a river. She was not wearing a lifejacket. Despite her unimaginable grief, Shaw decided to dedicate her life to preserving Carissa’s enthusiasm for life by helping save others. Shaw is the CEO and founder of the Love, Carissa Corporation, a non-profit committed to preventing drowning fatalities by raising awareness and providing resources like lifejackets and financial assistance for swimming lessons. According to Shaw, she doesn’t want to lecture people about water safety. Instead, she wants to provide them with resources to stay safe.
L.A. wildfire survivors show resilience, embody mythological Phoenix

By By Tom Conning, Public Affairs Specialist Northwestern Division Published July 21, 2025
Even during the grueling 68-day assignment – working 12 to 14 hours a day, Brig. Gen. Bill Hannan found resilience and inspiration – from the survivors. Though this was a horrible disaster, I saw the best in people, both in helping their neighbors and working together, said Hannan, Northwestern Division (NWD) commanding general. In June, he returned from leading the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Task Force Phoenix (like the mythological bird), which is the team responsible for wildfire debris removal and recovery efforts in Southern California.
Sheridan celebrates creek revival, eyes downtown transformation

By Andrew Nystrom U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District Published July 17, 2025
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 10, 2025, to celebrate the completion of a three-year ecosystem restoration project at Little Goose Creek near Sheridan, Wyoming, which reestablished historic oxbows, reconnected fish passage and revitalized riparian habitat once lost to mid-century flood-control efforts.
‘Seeing is believing’: Project site visits provide valuable knowledge sharing opportunity

By Christine E. Paul, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published July 16, 2025
Employees leave their jobs for many reasons. Some retire while others leave to explore new career opportunities. While workplace attrition is common across industries, it can pose a challenge to those left behind, especially when decades of institutional knowledge are also lost when the experienced employee departs. Sometimes, there can be a gap in knowledge, skills or abilities when a senior employee leaves an organization. Mack Landen, project manager with the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Branch, saw a wave of employee departures and new hires at the district within the last few years not as a deficiency, but as an opportunity.

Latest News Releases

Public meeting for Smoky Hill River ecosystem restoration feasibility study cancelled

Kansas City District

10/6/2025

The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has cancelled a public meeting scheduled for October 7, 2025, for the Smoky Hill River Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study and...

September runoff above average; Fall public meetings set

Missouri River Water Management Division

10/6/2025

Although overall runoff for September 2025 in the upper Missouri River Basin was above average, runoff in the Fort Peck and Garrison reaches continues to be well-below average. “Beneficial rainfall...

Public comment sought on draft Smoky Hill River ecosystem restoration feasibility study

Kansas City District

10/1/2025

The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has prepared a draft Public Notice, along with a draft Feasibility Report and a draft Finding of No Significant Impact for the Smoky Hill River...

Albeni Falls Dam open house postponed due to government shutdown

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District

10/1/2025

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District and the Bonneville Power Administration are postponing the Albeni Falls Dam community open house originally scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 7, in...

Kanopolis Lake announces updated trout fishing access for upcoming season

Kansas City District

9/30/2025

Due to an ongoing construction project at the Kanopolis Lake stilling basin, trout stocking and public fishing access at Sand Creek will be modified for the upcoming 2025–2026 fishing season. The...

Limited boat ramp availability at Willamette Valley reservoirs this fall and winter

Portland District

9/30/2025

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, urges boaters to confirm boat ramp availability this fall and winter before heading to Willamette Valley reservoirs.Lack of spring rainfall...

USACE’s Charbonneau Park to receive septic system overhaul, enhancing campground services and sustainability

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District

9/26/2025

BURBANK, Wash. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District has awarded a $926,800 construction contract to Civil Built, LLC, to upgrade the Large Onsite Septic System (LOSS) at...

Partners celebrate Parkville Bottoms Wetland Restoration Project completion with ribbon cutting

Kansas City District

9/26/2025

The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the City of Parkville, is pleased to announce the completion of the Parkville Bottoms Wetland Restoration Project. A...

Coos Bay North Jetty repairs complete after three years

Portland District

9/24/2025

The Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), has completed repairs to the Coos Bay North Jetty, which will be commemorated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday...

Reservoir drawdowns coming to Willamette Valley this fall, Detroit drawdown planned for 2026

Portland District

9/24/2025

This fall and winter, residents living near Cougar, Green Peter, Lookout Point, and Fall Creek reservoirs should expect lower water levels as part of an effort by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers...

Feature Stories

Blue-sky day training helps responders prepare for future flood events

Kansas City District

9/26/2025

Natural disasters don’t care about chain of command or what roles and responsibilities lie with which local, state or federal government agency. The destruction caused by natural disasters can happen...

Mentorship made simple: New app helps connect employees across Kansas City District

Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

9/26/2025 UPDATED

When thinking about professional development within the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Leadership Development Program is the gold standard. That’s why fiscal year 2024 LDP...

Construction on second project under Tribal Partnership Program has begun

USACE OMAHA DISTRICT

9/23/2025

Construction on a second U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District project under the Tribal Partnership Program has begun.The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe North Ecosystem Restoration Project will help...

Vietnam veterans of Bravo Company receive long-overdue Bronze Star Medals

USACE OMAHA DISTRICT

9/19/2025

More than half a century after their service in the jungles of Vietnam, 14 veterans of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, were formally presented Bronze Star...

USACE Omaha District continues modernization mission at U.S. Air Force Academy

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

9/18/2025

As the U.S. Air Force celebrates its 78th birthday this year on Sept. 18, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, continues to play a pivotal role in supporting modernization efforts,...

‘Like a detective looking for evidence in a crime scene’: How collecting high-water marks helps flood risk reduction efforts

Kansas City District

9/11/2025

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to see it, does it make a sound? Similarly, if a heavy rain event causes flooding overnight and no one is awake to see it, did it happen? Of course it...

USACE completes South Jetty repairs, concludes decade-long Mouth of Columbia River project

9/5/2025

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, has completed major rehabilitation to the South Jetty at the mouth of the Columbia River, marking the end of a decade-plus effort to...

News from Around the Northwestern Division

Blue-sky day training helps responders prepare for future flood events

Mentorship made simple: New app helps connect employees across Kansas City District

Construction on second project under Tribal Partnership Program has begun

Vietnam veterans of Bravo Company receive long-overdue Bronze Star Medals

USACE Omaha District continues modernization mission at U.S. Air Force Academy

‘Like a detective looking for evidence in a crime scene’: How collecting high-water marks helps flood risk reduction efforts

USACE completes South Jetty repairs, concludes decade-long Mouth of Columbia River project

Walla Walla District-led health initiative scales across USACE to strengthen Workforce readiness

Herd Highlight: Russell Somsen, Oahe Project natural resource specialist

Libby Dam 50th Commemoration: Reflections of Legacy

The Kansas City District tests AI and GoPro technology to improve roadway and campground maintenance with new pilot program

Dworshak’s “Skeleton Bay” flooded in key step toward regional energy growth

Garrison Dam team meets a paddling pal

Fort Scott National Cemetery Lodge: Standing watch over our nation’s fallen heroes

Herd Highlight: Patricia Gilbert-Ball, natural resource specialist and district’s only beekeeper

Answering the call: Kansas City District volunteers bring expertise, compassion to national disaster response

Love, Carissa: Granddaughter’s legacy is saving lives one lifejacket at a time

L.A. wildfire survivors show resilience, embody mythological Phoenix

Sheridan celebrates creek revival, eyes downtown transformation

‘Seeing is believing’: Project site visits provide valuable knowledge sharing opportunity

Top Pages

Related External Links

Latest News Releases

Feature Stories