News from Around the Northwestern Division

Blast from the past: Omaha District supports emergency response in Blizzard of 1949

By Delanie Stafford U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District Published Feb. 11, 2026
The winter of 1948-49 brought a series of powerful storms that blanketed much of Nebraska, Wyoming and the Dakotas with heavy snow, extreme cold and blinding winds. Snowdrifts reached as high as 30 feet in places, isolating towns, ranches and farms. Millions of livestock were at risk of being lost to starvation and dangerously cold temperatures. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, alongside the Fifth Army and 10th Air Force, led a massive disaster response known as Operation Snowbound, mobilizing more than 6,200 personnel and 1,665 pieces of heavy equipment, including bulldozers, snowplows, graders and Army M-29 cargo carriers, known as Weasels.
Borrowing lessons from Mother Nature, outlet channel gets first major repair in over 70 years

By Christine E. Reinhardt, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Feb. 9, 2026
If your roof had a leak, most homeowners would be quick to repair it. But if there was an underlying issue with the roof itself, most people would probably agree it would be wise to address the larger issue instead of continuing to make short-term fixes. Only making small repairs would likely add up to a significant cost over time without fixing the root problem. This is the analogy Ben Johnson, hydraulic engineer and technical lead with the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, used to describe the outlet channel repair project at Kanopolis Lake. During both regular water releases and flood events, water from Kanopolis Lake is released through the outlet channel where it flows downstream into the Smoky Hill River. However, due to the geology of the area and the force of the released water, erosion has occurred in the outlet channel since the Great Flood of 1951.
Snowshoes, science and stewardship: Libby Dam engineers the next generation of conservationists during Scotchman Peak’s annual “Winter Tracks”

By Nicole L. Celestine U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS/SEATTLE DISTRICT Published Feb. 9, 2026
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers partnered with Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness to host the 12th annual "Winter Tracks" event, providing 200 students with hands-on environmental education at Libby Dam. The program highlights the District's commitment to stewardship by demonstrating how vital infrastructure and native wildlife coexist within the Kootenai’s snowy landscape.
Corps of Engineers vs. Pineapple Express: Looking back on the 1996 Oregon Floods

Published Feb. 4, 2026
In early February 1996, a jet stream steered a warm pineapple express into a snow-covered Pacific Northwest.
Workshop emphasizes budget-driven design-build project delivery

By Delanie Stafford U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District Published Jan. 30, 2026
A three-day workshop was held at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District headquarters building, Jan. 21–23, that brought together more than 40 professionals from across the USACE Northwestern Division to strengthen collaboration and understanding of the design-build to budget project delivery method.
Charting the course: Completed mega project maps out lessons in partnership

By Christine E. Reinhardt, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Jan. 29, 2026
Group projects are almost never easy. Getting all parties to agree on everything, all the time can be a challenging feat, if not downright impossible. Now imagine trying to complete a group project on a mega scale, while still delivering it on time, within budget and safely. Mega projects within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are no small task, and certainly not for the faint of heart. As their name suggests, these are projects of an incredibly large scale – in budget, complexity or a combination of the two. Despite their challenging nature, the Kansas City District has become a leader in USACE with mega project success. In September 2025, the district celebrated the completion of one of its first military construction mega projects, setting the standard for future mega projects and leaving a lasting impact across the nation.
Hunting in the heartland: Harlan County Lake an ‘oasis’ for outdoor enthusiasts

By Christine E. Reinhardt, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Jan. 27, 2026
To those unfamiliar with the sport of hunting, it might seem cruel or violent. While there are certainly gray areas, for those who hunt responsibly and legally, hunting is more than just a sport. In an increasingly online world, hunting offers recreators a unique and often profound way to connect to nature. Fred Bear, a famous American bowhunter and considered by many as the pioneer of modern archery, once said, “To hunt is to understand the delicate balance of life and death and our role within it.” The U.S. offers a plethora of hunting options. From marshes and inland woods on the east coast to the mountainous terrain of the west coast, there are seemingly endless environments and species to hunt across the country. In the heartland, there is one spot that is home to some of the best and most diverse hunting in the nation: Harlan County Lake in Republican City, Nebraska.
Fort Peck breathes new life into two butterfly valves

By Lisa Crawford U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District Published Jan. 23, 2026
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, is overseeing the rehabilitation of two 65-year-old, 216-inch diameter, 135,000-pound butterfly valves inside Powerhouse 2 at the Fort Peck Dam in Montana.
Herd Highlight: Scott Sterling, natural resources specialist and piping plover preservationist

By Delanie Stafford U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District Published Jan. 22, 2026
Meet Scott Sterling, a natural resources specialist at the Garrison Project in North Dakota, and one of only two Omaha District specialists trained to capture and relocate piping plover chicks and their adult parents from flood-prone islands to higher ground during adverse environmental conditions.
Second Life: Turning Debris into Critical River and Coastal Habitats

By Nicole L. Celestine U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS/SEATTLE DISTRICT Published Jan. 13, 2026
Since 2006, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, and the Port of Seattle have repurposed salvaged large, woody debris to restore vital aquatic ecosystems. This collaborative effort transforms navigational hazards into fish and wildlife habitat, that support shoreline resilience. The collaboration began small ... and has grown over the years.
Hydraulic models guide design of Garrison Dam spillway, mega dam safety project

By Delanie Stafford USACE OMAHA DISTRICT Published Jan. 9, 2026
Engineers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Omaha and Huntington districts and Risk Management Center are advancing the Garrison Dam Spillway Modification Project using scale models to enhance safety and improve the performance of the dam’s spillway near Riverdale, North Dakota.
Rooted in strength: JBLM barracks tap into Pacific Northwest’s timber legacy for new military construction era

By Louis R. Velasco U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District Published Jan. 6, 2026
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, JBLM Army Garrison, and 1st Special Forces Group leadership joined together to celebrate the Department of War's largest-to-date construction project using mass timber structural materials during a groundbreaking ceremony, Dec. 12, 2025. The pilot program will evaluate the use of mass timber as the primary construction material in military construction projects and its effect on environmental sustainability, infrastructure resilience, cost-effectiveness, and construction timeliness of similar projects.
USACE Managed Record Flood Response Operations Amid Severe Weather

By Shelia L. Fourman, Chief, Seattle District Public Affairs U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS/SEATTLE DISTRICT Published Jan. 6, 2026
A series of powerful atmospheric river events struck western Washington in early December 2025, bringing over 10 inches of rainfall in some areas, leading to catastrophic flooding, landslides and widespread infrastructure damage. Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish and King counties, where major rivers like the Skagit, Green and White overflowed, were hardest-hit, triggering extensive evacuations. The widespread flooding, compounded by saturated soils and unusually warm Pacific moisture that further intensified the impacts of the storm series, led to a state of emergency and 24-hour operations by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Seattle District.
Cold War-era rolling pin barracks undergo vital renovation

By Christine E. Reinhardt, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Dec. 29, 2025
Soldiers marching in uniform, drill sergeants yelling, muddy obstacle courses – these are often the images the words “basic training” evoke. Hollywood and pop culture have helped ingrain the military’s grueling boot camp experience in the minds of the average person. Whether Hollywood’s depictions of basic training are based in truth or not, one thing is for sure: the soldiers who complete Army basic combat training are some of the toughest in the world. Tucked away amongst the dense forests and scenic lakes of central Missouri lies Fort Leonard Wood, one of four installations home to the Army’s basic combat training course. Originally built in 1940 as a small World War II training site, Fort Leonard Wood is now a premier training installation within the Army, the U.S. military and the world.
Walking the line: USACE team ensures safe terrain for future soldiers

By Makenzie Leonard U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District Published Dec. 29, 2025
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Military Munition Response Program is working to clear a 416-acre swath of property for the Oregon National Guard at the former Umatilla Army Ammunition Depot that had been identified in 2023 as potentially containing unexploded ordnance derived from the destruction of stockpiled munitions at the adjacent demolition range.
Kanopolis Lake: Go for the water, stay for the land

By Christine E. Reinhardt, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Dec. 17, 2025
This is a story about a lake. But before you read any further, you should know this won’t be a story about water. Sure, I could tell you Kanopolis Lake has a normal pool surface of 3,460 acres and has prevented an estimated $100 million in flood damages since its construction. I could also tell you nearly 400,000 people visit the lake annually, many of whom fish, swim, boat and partake in other water-based recreation. But if I only told you about the water, you’d be missing out on what makes Kanopolis Lake truly special: the land. Stick your finger in the center of a map of the U.S. and chances are you will come within a few centimeters, or map miles, of Kanopolis Lake. Located in central Kansas, it’s about as close to the middle of the lower 48 states as you can get. Despite its location in the center of the country, Kanopolis Lake feels quite remote.
Omaha District towboats set to power up with new engines for 2026

By Delanie Stafford USACE OMAHA DISTRICT Published Dec. 17, 2025
Two Missouri River towboats operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, are undergoing major engine overhauls to ensure reliable navigation and river maintenance operations ahead of the 2026 season.
Missouri River Navigation Structure repairs continue with Cora Island flow control structures after severe damage from 2019 Flood

By Lawrence Brooks IV, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Dec. 11, 2025
Missouri River navigation is a critical mission of the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to support both the American public and regional commerce. That’s why a massive construction project on the Missouri River was recently completed to repair and improve navigation support, while protecting a valuable ecosystem managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
District employee charts final course toward master boat pilot license

By Delanie Stafford USACE OMAHA DISTRICT Published Dec. 8, 2025
Larry Morgan Jr. has worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District since 2000. He has served at the Missouri River Project Office and on the Missouri River most of his career as a deckhand, equipment operator and maintenance supervisor. One title that has eluded him is master towboat pilot. Inspired by an early mentor, and with the help of an accomplished towboat pilot, that will soon change, as he nears completion of an unrestricted master of towing vessel license.
Ad astra per aspera: Kansas a global leader in solving sediment challenges

By Christine E. Reinhardt, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Dec. 4, 2025
The year was 1952. The world’s first rock and roll concert was held in Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Potato Head was the first toy advertised on TV, Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president and Elizabeth II was proclaimed Queen of England. Post-WWII America was rife with invention and innovation. New technologies and scientific advances included development of the Polio vaccine, the first commercial computer and the first airbag for cars. In the heart of America, however, communities were recovering from devastating flooding from the previous year. The Great Flood of 1951 destroyed thousands of homes, farms and businesses in the Kansas River Basin, causing over $725 million of damage. Despite the destruction it caused, the historic flood set in motion the final piece needed for the construction of one of Kansas’s most vital water resources – Tuttle Creek Dam and Reservoir.
Trot lines, and trammel nets and trawls, oh my! Trying to catch the elusive age-one pallid sturgeon

By Christine E. Reinhardt, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published Dec. 3, 2025
It’s said beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To some, a long-snouted, murky white, boneless bottom feeder native to the Missouri and Mississippi rivers – known as the pallid sturgeon – might not sound very beautiful. To others, the endangered fish is an essential part of the river ecosystem – making it a beautiful creature worth saving. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, pallid sturgeon can live up to 40 years and weigh upwards of 100 pounds. Once harvested commercially, the pallid sturgeon is now listed as endangered, in part due to alterations to the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. However, efforts aimed at restoring the population like captive breeding, juvenile stocking and habitat restoration, have made meaningful progress over the past few decades. Still, much remains to be learned, and continued research is essential to fully recover this ancient species.
Hydropower helps feed Thanksgiving feasts

By Tom Conning Northwestern Division Published Nov. 24, 2025
This Thursday, people across the Pacific Northwest will use ovens to bake turkeys, air fryers to crisp vegetables, mixers to fluff mashed potatoes and OLED televisions to gawk at parades and sportsball. Likely, many people are grateful for the conveniences that make Thanksgiving preparations and entertainment relatively easy and enjoyable. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers humbly recommends giving appreciation for consistent, affordable and easily dispatchable hydropower (of course, USACE would suggest that).
Conservation programs improve outlook of threatened piping plover

By Delanie Stafford USACE OMAHA DISTRICT Published Nov. 14, 2025
The Missouri River Recovery Program’s Emergent Sandbar Habitat Program and Tern and Plover Monitoring Program, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District’s Threatened and Endangered Species Section, continues to improve habitat and reproductive outcomes for the threatened Northern Great Plains piping plover and formerly endangered interior least tern.

Latest News Releases

Once-in-a-generation Missouri River study seeks public input

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

2/11/2026

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District and Omaha District, announced today it will host a series of public meetings to provide updates and gather public input on the Lower Missouri...

Once-in-a-generation Missouri River study seeks public input

Kansas City and Omaha Districts

2/11/2026

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District and Omaha District, announced today it will host a series of public meetings to provide updates and gather public input on the Lower Missouri...

Lower than normal runoff expected for the Missouri River Basin in 2026

Missouri River Water Management Division

2/4/2026

January runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City was 1.0 million acre-feet, which is 132% of average. Runoff was above average for all of the reaches in the upper Missouri River Basin, even...

Winter access policy set for Lakes Sakakawea, Audubon

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

1/30/2026

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District’s Garrison Project has released the 2025-2026 winter access policy for Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon...

Fort Peck announces winter access for motorized vehicles

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

1/30/2026

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Fort Peck Project has announced winter guidance for motorized access at Fort Peck Reservoir located near Fort Peck, Montana...

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeks public comment on Natural Resource Master Plan for Albeni Falls Dam

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, SEATTLE DISTRICT

1/29/2026

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is inviting public input on the Albeni Falls Dam Master Plan, to guide the long-term management of recreation and natural resources at Lake Pend Oreille...

Army Corps of Engineers waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Presidents Day

HQ USACE Public Affairs Office

1/27/2026

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today announced that it will waive day use fees at its more than 2,800 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in observance of Presidents Day, February 16...

Public encouraged to submit comments on Lower Missouri River flood risk study

Kansas City District and Omaha District

1/23/2026

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District and Kansas City District (USACE) have jointly prepared a feasibility report with integrated programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) that...

USACE developing long-term plans for Fern Ridge Lake, requests public input

Portland District

1/16/2026

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) invites the public to participate, virtual or in-person, to help update the nearly 40-year old Fern Ridge Master Plan during two upcoming public meeting about...

Public asked to help shape land use near four Willamette Valley lakes

Portland District

1/15/2026

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is holding public meetings and asking for input on a plan for land use around the Willamette Valley’s Fall Creek, Dexter, Lookout Point, and Hills Creek lakes...

Feature Stories

Blast from the past: Omaha District supports emergency response in Blizzard of 1949

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

2/11/2026

The winter of 1948-49 brought a series of powerful storms that blanketed much of Nebraska, Wyoming and the Dakotas with heavy snow, extreme cold and blinding winds. Snowdrifts reached as high as 30...

Borrowing lessons from Mother Nature, outlet channel gets first major repair in over 70 years

Kansas City District

2/9/2026

If your roof had a leak, most homeowners would be quick to repair it. But if there was an underlying issue with the roof itself, most people would probably agree it would be wise to address the larger...

Snowshoes, science and stewardship: Libby Dam engineers the next generation of conservationists during Scotchman Peak’s annual “Winter Tracks”

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS/SEATTLE DISTRICT

2/9/2026

U. S. Army Corps of Engineers partnered with Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness to host the 12th annual "Winter Tracks" event, providing 200 students with hands-on environmental education at Libby...

Corps of Engineers vs. Pineapple Express: Looking back on the 1996 Oregon Floods

2/4/2026

In early February 1996, a jet stream steered a warm pineapple express into a snow-covered Pacific Northwest...

Workshop emphasizes budget-driven design-build project delivery

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

1/30/2026

A three-day workshop was held at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District headquarters building, Jan. 21–23, that brought together more than 40 professionals from across the USACE Northwestern...

Charting the course: Completed mega project maps out lessons in partnership

Kansas City District

1/29/2026

Group projects are almost never easy. Getting all parties to agree on everything, all the time can be a challenging feat, if not downright impossible. Now imagine trying to complete a group project on...

Hunting in the heartland: Harlan County Lake an ‘oasis’ for outdoor enthusiasts

Kansas City District

1/27/2026

To those unfamiliar with the sport of hunting, it might seem cruel or violent. While there are certainly gray areas, for those who hunt responsibly and legally, hunting is more than just a sport. In...

News from Around the Northwestern Division

Blast from the past: Omaha District supports emergency response in Blizzard of 1949

Borrowing lessons from Mother Nature, outlet channel gets first major repair in over 70 years

Snowshoes, science and stewardship: Libby Dam engineers the next generation of conservationists during Scotchman Peak’s annual “Winter Tracks”

Corps of Engineers vs. Pineapple Express: Looking back on the 1996 Oregon Floods

Workshop emphasizes budget-driven design-build project delivery

Charting the course: Completed mega project maps out lessons in partnership

Hunting in the heartland: Harlan County Lake an ‘oasis’ for outdoor enthusiasts

Fort Peck breathes new life into two butterfly valves

Herd Highlight: Scott Sterling, natural resources specialist and piping plover preservationist

Second Life: Turning Debris into Critical River and Coastal Habitats

Hydraulic models guide design of Garrison Dam spillway, mega dam safety project

Rooted in strength: JBLM barracks tap into Pacific Northwest’s timber legacy for new military construction era

USACE Managed Record Flood Response Operations Amid Severe Weather

Cold War-era rolling pin barracks undergo vital renovation

Walking the line: USACE team ensures safe terrain for future soldiers

Kanopolis Lake: Go for the water, stay for the land

Omaha District towboats set to power up with new engines for 2026

Missouri River Navigation Structure repairs continue with Cora Island flow control structures after severe damage from 2019 Flood

District employee charts final course toward master boat pilot license

Ad astra per aspera: Kansas a global leader in solving sediment challenges

Trot lines, and trammel nets and trawls, oh my! Trying to catch the elusive age-one pallid sturgeon

Hydropower helps feed Thanksgiving feasts

Conservation programs improve outlook of threatened piping plover

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