Around the Northwestern Division

News Stories and News Releases from the Northwestern Division and the NWD Districts including the Kansas City, Omaha, Portland, Seattle and Walla Walla Districts. 

Division - News Releases

September runoff below average; October public meetings
Missouri River Water Management Division
10/3/2024
September runoff in the upper Missouri River Basin was well-below average, continuing the trend of below-average runoff in 2024. “Although Montana precipitation was wetter-than-normal in September,...
Pacific Lamprey returns disappointing as compared to 2023, new structures offer hope
Northwestern Division
9/17/2024
After a prolific 2023, adult Pacific Lamprey returns are looking disappointing this year. So far, fish counters estimate only 22,021 (as of Sept. 14) lamprey have passed through Bonneville Lock and...
Yes, the outlet tunnels at Oahe are releasing water
Missouri River Water Management
9/16/2024
A combination of planned maintenance and an unscheduled turbine outage at Oahe will result in outlet tunnel operations beginning today. Starting at 10 a.m. today, Sept. 16, the outlet tunnels at Oahe...
New Army Civil Works program announces 18 proposals are being invited to apply for federal financing for non-federal dam safety project
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
9/13/2024
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today announced the first set of proposals being invited to apply for loans under the new Corps...
Gavins Point winter releases will be minimum rate
Missouri River Water Management Division
9/5/2024
Abnormally dry or drought conditions are currently present across 73% of the Basin, with drought conditions likely to persist or worsen through November. August runoff was 1.2 million acre-feet (MAF),...

District - News Releases

Just in time for National Cat Day: USACE unleashes nearly intolerable pet cuteness upon the world - again
Portland District
10/29/2024
The Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has unleashed its 2025 cat and dog calendars, continuing a purr-fect tradition that's gone viral year after year...
USACE and Partners announce finalization of Yakima Delta Ecological Restoration Feasibility Study
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, WALLA WALLA DISTRICT
10/28/2024
RICHLAND, Wash. – In partnership with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Yakama Nation (YN), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District (USACE) is releasing the...
USACE invites public comments on the Lucky Peak Master Plan; Public meeting to be held Nov. 4
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District
10/23/2024
BOISE, Idaho – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District invites your review and comments regarding the revised draft Lucky Peak Project Master Plan with accompanying Finding of No...
Lower Monumental Dam Extends Public Crossing Closure Through November 14
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District
10/21/2024
KAHLOTUS, Wash. – Officials at Lower Monumental Lock and Dam have extended the previously announced public crossing closure through November 14. The closure is still set to begin on October 28...
USACE awards Howard A. Hanson Dam fish passage contract
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District
10/18/2024
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials awarded the Howard A. Hanson Dam Additional Water Storage Fish Passage Facility Project contract to Flatiron-Aecon Joint Venture on October 16th. The total...
Army Corps Recaps Libby Dam 2024 Operations at Public Meeting Oct. 21
USACE/Seattle District
10/18/2024
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold its fall public meeting in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Oct. 21, 7-7 p.m. PST. The meeting, led by Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative, will include a recap of Libby...
Lower Monumental Dam closes public dam crossing October 28 through November 7
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, WALLA WALLA DISTRICT
10/17/2024
KAHLOTUS, Wash. – Officials at Lower Monumental Lock and Dam will be closing public dam crossings October 28 through November 7 for crane removal and maintenance...
Portland’s Operation Blue Roof Call Center Activated to Support Florida Homeowners in Aftermath of Hurricane Milton
Portland District
10/16/2024
As Floridians begin recovering from Hurricane Milton, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is activating its Operation Blue Roof call center in Portland, Oregon, to assist homeowners impacted by...
USACE seeks public comment for Draft Environmental Assessment for Sand Creek Flowlines at Garrison Project, ND
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District
10/4/2024
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District announced a draft environmental assessment is available to review for Rough Rider Operating, LLC and Oasis Petroleum North America, LLC requesting the...
Ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark completion of vital levee project milestone
Kansas City District
10/4/2024
Local, state and federal officials will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of Phase I of the Manhattan levee project in Manhattan, Kansas, on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. The...
USACE seeks public comment for Draft Environmental Assessment for Sand Creek Flowlines at Garrison Project, ND
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
10/4/2024
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District announced a draft environmental assessment is available to review for Rough Rider Operating, LLC and Oasis Petroleum North America, LLC requesting the...
Large Lock Center Gate At Chittenden Locks Remains Open Till Nov. 4
USACE/SEATTLE DISTRICT
10/3/2024
The large lock chamber at Lake Washington Ship Canal and Hiram M. Chittenden Locks will remain open to navigation through noon, Nov. 4. Additional time allows the engineering team to ensure the new...
Army Corps of Engineers hosts public info sessions focused on Lookout Point and Green Peter reservoir drawdowns
Portland District
9/26/2024
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) invites the public to three online information sessions to learn about Willamette Valley dams and reservoirs operating under court-ordered interim injunction...
Fort Randall trail dedication honors beloved employee
USACE OMAHA DISTRICT
9/26/2024
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District’s Fort Randall Project held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Sept. 20, 2024, in Pickstown, South Dakota for a newly constructed trail system.The trail...
Public encouraged to submit input on Lower Osage Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study
Kansas City District
9/25/2024
Officials will hold two public meetings to solicit formal public input on the environmental analysis and recommendations from the Lower Osage Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study. The meetings,...
Army Corps of Engineers waives fees and invites volunteers to participate in National Public Lands Day, Sept. 28
Kansas City District
9/19/2024
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will waive day use fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at its recreation areas nationwide in recognition of...
Army Corps of Engineers comes to Roseburg for a good time (not a long time)
Portland District
9/19/2024
Army Corps of Engineers comes to Roseburg for a good time (not a long time)...
State and federal partners encourage public to attend Jefferson City spin-off study public meeting
Kansas City District
9/17/2024
Officials will hold a public meeting for the Lower Missouri River Jefferson City spin-off study on September 26, 2024, in Jefferson City, Missouri. The meeting, which will be held by the Kansas City...
Updated hunting regulations in effect at Kansas lakes
Kansas City District
9/17/2024
To align with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks public lands hunting regulations, an updated policy restricting certain hunting practices is in effect at Kansas lakes...
Yes, the outlet tunnels at Oahe are releasing water
Missouri River Water Management
9/16/2024
A combination of planned maintenance and an unscheduled turbine outage at Oahe will result in outlet tunnel operations beginning today. Starting at 10 a.m. today, Sept. 16, the outlet tunnels at Oahe...

News Stories from across the Division

Annual USACE rescue efforts ensure fish survival through Chittenden Locks
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District
10/23/2024
Visitors to Lake Washington Ship Canal and Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Seattle, on Oct. 1, saw an unusual sight: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees at the bottom of the small lock chamber using...
“I’ll keep trying;" A journey from Mexico to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District
10/22/2024
It started in 1979 on the dirt streets of Zacatecas, Mexico, where a young boy named Juan Gaytan dreamed of a better life in the United States...
Omaha District supports Hurricane Milton response efforts
USACE OMAHA DISTRICT
10/22/2024
In the wake of Hurricane Milton, more than 50 personnel from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, answered the call to provide crucial support to affected communities...
Inaugural district awards ceremony recognizes outstanding performers
USACE OMAHA DISTRICT
10/18/2024
More than 500 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District team members attended the inaugural district awards ceremony, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha, Nebraska...
Omaha District, tribally-owned company partner for Missouri River maintenance
USACE OMAHA DISTRICT
10/15/2024
In a demonstration of collaboration and innovation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, recently partnered with Flatwater Group to enhance maintenance operations along the Missouri...
Connecting the dots: Annual event educates girls about STEM opportunities
Kansas City District
10/15/2024
The U.S. has a long history of promoting science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, in public education going back to the late 19th century. While there have been major pushes for STEM in...
McNary turns 70!
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District
10/7/2024
As the population grew in the Pacific Northwest, communities formed around the Columbia and Snake rivers. Back then, the currents were temperamental and hard to navigate. However, there was a vision...
Fort Randall trail dedication honors beloved employee
USACE OMAHA DISTRICT
9/25/2024
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District’s Fort Randall Project held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Sept. 20, 2024, in Pickstown, South Dakota for a newly constructed trail system.The trail...
USACE Omaha District starts three new CAP projects, expands efforts to serve disadvantaged communities
USACE Omaha District
9/24/2024
OMAHA, Neb. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, has initiated three new Continuing Authorities Program pilot projects to support communities in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Colorado...
‘We have the responsibility’: Missouri River fish and wildlife mitigation project a vital undertaking
Kansas City District
9/18/2024
After Lewis and Clark ended their journey westward in 1806, an expedition known as the Corps of Discovery, the Missouri River would prove to be a vital link between the east and west. Flowing right...
Army Corps algal bloom study keeps human,animal recreators safe
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District
9/16/2024
Every summer, visitors flock to the cool shores of Rufus Woods Lake, near Chief Joseph Dam, Washington, but within the floating algal mats that appear seasonally throughout the lake, lies a hidden...
A trip through geological time: Wilson Lake’s unique topography makes it a must-see destination
Kansas City District
9/16/2024
Standing over 20 feet in the air, the red, striped sandstone formations tower over the surrounding landscape, casting long shadows into the water they sit next to. Where can these majestic rock...
Graham assumes command of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Army Corps Engineers
9/13/2024
WASHINGTON – Lt. Gen. William H. “Butch” Graham, Jr. today assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and became the Army’s 56th Chief of Engineers during a three-part ceremony at Joint Base...
Chasing the storm: Working with FEMA during Hurricane Beryl
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WALLA WALLA DISTRICT
9/13/2024
This summer, the record-breaking Hurricane Beryl entered the Caribbean Sea as a Category 5 hurricane before weakening to a Category 1 hurricane and hitting the Texas coast, July 8. The U.S. Army Corps...
Sharing the load: Partnering to keep people safe
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WALLA WALLA DISTRICT
9/9/2024
To prevent flooding in a desert, sometimes you must build a dam without a river...
Army announces civil works investments in small, disadvantaged communities
U.S. Army
8/29/2024 UPDATED
WASHINGTON – Michael L. Connor, assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, announced today during a visit to the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona that 12 communities from across the country...
Ranger leads the way: Kansas City District park ranger a proponent of cashless fee system
Kansas City District
8/12/2024
In the U.S. Army, they say “Rangers lead the way.” In the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it’s often park rangers leading the way at our nation’s lake projects. At Rathbun Lake, located in southern...
Senior executive earns exclusive award through leadership during complex and challenging work
Northwestern Division
8/9/2024
Considering the massive size of the territory within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Northwestern Division footprint (14 states and 2,000 miles wide), it’s understandable that the organization faces...
Corps of Adventure
USACE Omaha District
8/8/2024
SOUTH YANKTON, Neb. -- A group of ten boys and four counselors with the Bald Eagle Boys Camp of Mill Hall, Pennsylvania, navigate 1,000 miles of the Missouri River with help from the U.S. Army Corps...
Innovating for the future: USACE uses sustainable building materials for JBLM barracks, enhances Army’s climate resiliency goals
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District
8/8/2024
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), U.S. Army I Corps, and Assistant Secretary of the Army leadership joined Washington State congressional representatives for an Aug. 7...