News from Around the Northwestern Division

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.
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.

Latest News Releases

Public meetings to be held on Water Control Manual updates for Clinton, Milford, Perry and Tuttle Creek lakes

Kansas City District

11/13/2025

The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites the public to attend a series of meetings to discuss updates to the Water Control Manuals for Clinton, Milford, Perry and Tuttle Creek...

Corps of Engineers to explain current reservoir drawdowns at virtual public meeting

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

11/7/2025 UPDATED

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host a virtual public information session Thursday, Nov. 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m. to discuss plans to lower reservoir levels this fall at Cougar, Green Peter, Lookout...

Gavins Point Dam releases to be reduced to winter release rate

Missouri River Water Management Division

11/6/2025

Releases from Gavins Point Dam will be reduced in late November as flow support to navigation ends. Releases are currently 25,500 cubic feet per second (cfs). “We will continue to make releases from...

Army Corps begins dredging at Everett Harbor, Snohomish River, Nov. 4, 2025

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Seattle District

11/3/2025

Maintenance dredging of the Everett Harbor and Snohomish River, in Snohomish River, Everett, Washington, begins Nov. 4, 2025. Operations will run 24/7 and are expected to be completed Feb. 14, 2026...

Virtual Missouri River fall public meeting in-lieu of canceled meetings

Missouri River Water Management Division

10/22/2025

In-person public meetings on Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir system operations, which were scheduled for Monday, Oct. 27; Monday, Nov. 3; and Tuesday, Nov. 4 have been canceled. A virtual meeting...

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...

Feature Stories

Conservation programs improve outlook of threatened piping plover

USACE OMAHA DISTRICT

11/14/2025

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...

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...

News from Around the Northwestern Division

Conservation programs improve outlook of threatened piping plover

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

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Latest News Releases

Public meetings to be held on Water Control Manual updates for Clinton, Milford, Perry and Tuttle Creek lakes

Corps of Engineers to explain current reservoir drawdowns at virtual public meeting

Gavins Point Dam releases to be reduced to winter release rate

Army Corps begins dredging at Everett Harbor, Snohomish River, Nov. 4, 2025

Virtual Missouri River fall public meeting in-lieu of canceled meetings

Public meeting for Smoky Hill River ecosystem restoration feasibility study cancelled

September runoff above average; Fall public meetings set

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

Albeni Falls Dam open house postponed due to government shutdown

Kanopolis Lake announces updated trout fishing access for upcoming season

Feature Stories

Conservation programs improve outlook of threatened piping plover

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