News Releases

11 Jun 2021

Kansas City District holds change of command ceremony

In historic military tradition, command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District transferred today from Col. William C. Hannan, Jr., to Col. Travis J. Rayfield. In a ceremony at the Memorial Hall Kansas City, Kan., Rayfield received the traditional guidon from Hannan through Brig. Gen. Peter Helmlinger, the commander of the Northwestern Division, thus assuming command of the district.

3 Jun 2021

Upper basin runoff forecast continues to be below average

After our June communication materials were sent, we received a few calls from the public seeking clarification on planned releases from Gavins Point Dam. The press release has been updated to highlight this information. Below-average precipitation and dry soil conditions persist in the upper Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, IA (upper Basin). The updated 2021 upper Basin runoff forecast is 17.9 million acre-feet (MAF), 69% of average. If realized, this runoff amount would be in the 22nd driest year in the upper Basin since 1898.

6 May 2021

Drought conditions driving lowered runoff forecast

Very dry conditions in April resulted in very low runoff in the upper Missouri River Basin. The upper Basin runoff was 44% of average, which was the 9th driest April in 123 years of record. The updated 2021 upper Basin runoff forecast is 17.8 million acre-feet (MAF), 69% of average, which, if realized, would rank as the 22nd lowest calendar year runoff volume.

21 Apr 2021

Spring Spill begins facilitating fish passage at Snake and Columbia river dams

Federal water managers have begun the annual spill of water past hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers to help juvenile salmon and steelhead migrate to the ocean this spring. The spill began April 3 on the lower Snake River and April 10 on the lower Columbia River. Spill for juvenile fish passage helps reduce the proportion of juvenile fish that pass dams through the turbines and helps reduce passage delay at each dam, thereby shortening their travel time through the Snake and Columbia rivers.

6 Apr 2021

2021 runoff forecast remains below average; Virtual spring public meetings April 6

Reservoir inflows in the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa (upper Basin) were well-below average in March. The updated 2021 upper Basin runoff forecast is 21.3 million acre-feet (MAF), 83% of average.

5 Apr 2021

Mississippi River Commission and Corps of Engineers tour Missouri River

Leaders from The Mississippi River Commission along with leaders from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers toured the Missouri River Mar. 29 – Apr. 1. Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, chief of engineers and commanding general, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Brig. Gen. D. Peter Hemlinger, commander, Northwestern Division, Col. William Hannan Jr., commander, Kansas City District and Col. Mark Himes, commander, Omaha District, met with partners and stakeholders and visited sites along the river.