News from Around the Northwestern Division

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.
45 Years Later, the Engineers Who Faced the Volcano Remember

By Emilia Foster Published July 9, 2025
When a volcano erupts hurling millions of cubic yards of sediment onto the surrounding area and into local rivers, how does a community deal with it, and where does all that sediment go?
Fort Peck Interpretive Center marks 20th anniversary with decade-high attendance

By Lisa Crawford U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District Published July 3, 2025
A grand total of 452 guests – the greatest single-day turnout of the past decade – visited the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Fort Peck Interpretive Center and Museum in Fort Peck, Montana, June 21, 2025, during its 20th Anniversary celebration.
Building together: USACE highlights regional needs, invites business innovation

By Shelia Fourman U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District Published June 25, 2025
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Northwest Posts hosted the Meet the Chiefs 2025 Regional Event on June 17, at the Seattle Airport Marriott. This gathering brought together leaders from key federal agencies and industry partners for a full day of strategic insights, networking, and future planning.
From Construction to Conservation: One Family’s Legacy of Service at Libby Dam

By Tana Wilson, Natural Resource Manager, Libby Dam U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Seattle District Published June 24, 2025
As part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District's commemoration of 50 years of operations at Libby Dam, Montana, Natural Resource Manager Tana Wilson shares her family's legacy of service from construction to conservation, today.
‘You either love or hate Pullman’: USACE project engineer, Washington State University alumna, reflects on vital project for alma mater

By Louis R. Velasco U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District Published June 20, 2025
For Katlyn Struxness, a project engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Seattle District, Pullman, Washington, isn’t just a place—it’s where innovation, community and agriculture come together in unexpected ways. Her role in the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Plant Sciences Building project on Washington State University has deepened her connection to the Palouse region, a place where she can be part of something larger than a job title.
From delamination to durability: How Fiber-Reinforced Polymer is fortifying Albeni Falls Dam's Gate 3

By Nicole L. Celestine U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District Published June 17, 2025
Discovered in April 2024 during routine maintenance, Gate 3, one of Albeni Falls Dam’s 10 spillway gates revealed defective steel, likely a consequence of the original 1950s fabrication process. While a long-term plan for complete gate replacement is underway, the immediate need was for a robust, interim solution to bring Gate 3 back into service and restore the dam's full operational flexibility. Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) offers a technically superior Band-Aid, providing significant structural enhancement, a glimpse into the future of dam maintenance and a testament to modern engineering ingenuity.
Engineering Readiness for the Indo-Pacific: The 34th Forward Engineer Support Team – Advance Deployment & Certification Training Exercise

By 1st Lt. Allan Jung U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District Published June 16, 2025
The 34th Forward Engineer Support Team - Advance (FEST-A), from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Seattle District successfully conducted a Certification Exercise (CERTEX), used to validate deployment readiness for engineering support across the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).
Omaha District dam safety inspection season in full swing

By Delanie Stafford USACE OMAHA DISTRICT Published June 6, 2025
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, Dam Safety Section performed the first of two periodic tributary dam inspections scheduled for 2025 beginning with the Branched Oak Dam located northwest of Lincoln, Nebraska June 2.
SAME Omaha Post industry day welcomes hundreds of industry members

By Lisa Crawford USACE OMAHA DISTRICT Published June 4, 2025
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District participated in the Society of American Military Engineers Omaha Post Industry Day at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska, May 28–30, 2025.
Omaha District honored for 34 years of safety

By Lisa Crawford USACE OMAHA DISTRICT Published May 31, 2025
Representatives with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, attended a celebration of safety program, May 14, 2025, in LaVista, Nebraska, hosted by the National Safety Council, Nebraska Chapter.
Challenging the status quo: Security specialist develops app for Army Protection Program

By Christine E. Paul, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published May 30, 2025
Challenging the status quo isn’t easy for everyone. For some, being able to identify areas for improvement and finding solutions comes naturally. For Jason Smith, finding solutions to problems and inefficiencies in the workplace is something he learned early in his career and is now part of his work philosophy. “I started as a civil servant 20 years ago and even when I was in the [National Guard], you have people with a mission,” said Smith, security specialist at the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “If you make it easier for people to do their job by helping them out with their processes, it makes the mission easier and that makes people happier.”
Missouri Valley residents receive Atlas D Missile Site environmental cleanup update

By Andrew Nystrom USACE OMAHA DISTRICT Published May 30, 2025
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District hosted a public meeting May 21, 2025, to update residents on ongoing environmental investigations and cleanup efforts at the former Atlas “D” Missile Site 3, a Cold War-era installation operated in the early 1960s that has since become a nationally-designated remediation priority.
Holding Back the Flow: Seattle District's Dam Safety Program

By Nicole L. Celestine USACE/Seattle District Published May 29, 2025
“One might think that in 21st century America, we’ve put an end to dam failures, but that’s not true,” said Seattle District’s Dam Safety Program Manager Richard Smith. “Dams continue to fail for numerous reasons and all too often with disastrous consequences. Lives are still being lost, and it’s our responsibility as good dam stewards to ensure our dams do not fail."
Omaha District hosts Equal Employment Opportunity counselor course

By Lisa Crawford USACE OMAHA DISTRICT Published May 27, 2025
A dozen U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees from multiple districts and an employee from Arlington National Cemetery traveled to Omaha, Nebraska to attend the Department of the Army’s Equal Employment Opportunity Counselors Certification Course, May 19-23, 2025.
Overcoming challenges to meld history with modernity for the USAFA’s innovation center

By Lisa Crawford USACE OMAHA DISTRICT Published May 27, 2025
On April 25, 2025, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District leaders attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the U.S. Air Force Academy’s new Madera Cyber Innovation Center. The Omaha District led the military construction effort of this 48,000 square foot facility, which broke ground in 2021.
Oahe Project, WOZU partner again to plant native trees along Cannonball River trail

By Andrew Nystrom USACE OMAHA DISTRICT Published May 20, 2025
Staff from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District’s Oahe Project once again teamed up with WOZU and local students to plant native tree species along a bike trail near the Cannonball River, N.D. on May 12, 2025.
Historic Structures, Modern Solutions: Seattle District’s Historic Structures and Buildings TCX tackles West Point’s Kosciuszko Garden

By Kimberly Lopes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District Published May 2, 2025
Cadets, faculty and visitors at the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York, may stumble upon Kosciuszko’s Garden on the east bank of the Hudson River, but few know its rich history as the personal project of revered Polish general and engineers, Thaddeus Kosciuszko.
‘We represent the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’: Office of Counsel an essential element to engineering excellence

By Christine E. Paul, Public Affairs Specialist Kansas City District Published May 1, 2025
Attorneys, paralegals and other legal support staff are probably not the first jobs that come to mind when thinking of a large engineering organization. At the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Office of Counsel plays a vital role in the district’s ability to execute its many missions — albeit sometimes in the background. Practicing what is known as preventative law, the Office of Counsel is typically not the face of the Kansas City District. However, they play a critical role representing the legal position and rights of USACE as an organization and are engaged in the planning and design phase of many of the district’s projects to ensure smooth and effective execution from project conception to completion.
A Legacy of Dedication: John Landers Bids Farewell to Public Service

By Nicole L. Celestine USACE/SEATTLE DISTRICT Published April 29, 2025
As the calendar turns to April 30, 2025, Seattle District Security and Law Enforcement Chief Jon Landers will embark on a new chapter, leaving behind a legacy of commitment, hard work and genuine care for the district he served.

Latest News Releases

Army Corps of Engineers celebrates World Ranger Day July 31

USACE HQ Public Affairs Office

7/22/2025

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will recognize World Ranger Day July 31. This annual worldwide celebration commemorates rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and celebrates the work rangers...

Groundbreaking Water Injection Dredging pilot project shifts start date to fall 2025 for critical testing

Kansas City District

7/22/2025

The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, announces the Tuttle Creek Reservoir Water Injection Dredging pilot project's initial phase will shift to fall 2025. This first-of-its-kind...

Crane incident under investigation at Fort Randall Dam

USACE OMAHA DISTRICT

7/22/2025

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District officials are responding to an incident involving a contractor crane that tipped over on the afternoon of July 21, 2025, at Fort Randall Dam...

In response to declining lake levels, Harlan County Lake officials are temporarily closing the Methodist Cove Boat Ramp to ensure public safety.

Kansas City District

7/21/2025 UPDATED

The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and officials at Harlan County Lake, have temporarily closed Methodist Cove Boat Ramp in response to low water levels...

Army Corps upgrades Libby Dam’s aging equipment

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Seattle District

7/21/2025

Army Corps enhances Libby Dam's hydropower generating efficiency, reliability and performance with its Generator Step-Up Transformer rehabilitation project, July 28, 2025, to continue providing...

Public invited to July 24 virtual meeting about Coos Bay's Charleston Marina

Portland District

7/16/2025

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, in partnership with the non-federal sponsor, Port of Coos Bay, invites the public to a virtual meeting focused on restoring safe, reliable...

Water conservation measures at Chittenden Locks may cause delays for recreational boaters

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District

7/15/2025 UPDATED

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials anticipate Lake Washington’s level could drop below 20 feet this summer for the first time since October 1987 and are taking proactive steps to conserve water...

Feature Stories

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

Kansas City District

7/23/2025

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...

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

Northwestern Division

7/21/2025

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...

Sheridan celebrates creek revival, eyes downtown transformation

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

7/17/2025

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...

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

Kansas City District

7/16/2025

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...

45 Years Later, the Engineers Who Faced the Volcano Remember

7/9/2025

When a volcano erupts hurling millions of cubic yards of sediment onto the surrounding area and into local rivers, how does a community deal with it, and where does all that sediment go?...

Fort Peck Interpretive Center marks 20th anniversary with decade-high attendance

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

7/3/2025

A grand total of 452 guests – the greatest single-day turnout of the past decade – visited the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Fort Peck Interpretive Center and Museum in Fort Peck, Montana, June 21,...

Building together: USACE highlights regional needs, invites business innovation

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District

6/25/2025

The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Northwest Posts hosted the Meet the Chiefs 2025 Regional Event on June 17, at the Seattle Airport Marriott. This gathering brought together leaders...

News from Around the Northwestern Division

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

45 Years Later, the Engineers Who Faced the Volcano Remember

Fort Peck Interpretive Center marks 20th anniversary with decade-high attendance

Building together: USACE highlights regional needs, invites business innovation

From Construction to Conservation: One Family’s Legacy of Service at Libby Dam

‘You either love or hate Pullman’: USACE project engineer, Washington State University alumna, reflects on vital project for alma mater

From delamination to durability: How Fiber-Reinforced Polymer is fortifying Albeni Falls Dam's Gate 3

Engineering Readiness for the Indo-Pacific: The 34th Forward Engineer Support Team – Advance Deployment & Certification Training Exercise

Omaha District dam safety inspection season in full swing

SAME Omaha Post industry day welcomes hundreds of industry members

Omaha District honored for 34 years of safety

Challenging the status quo: Security specialist develops app for Army Protection Program

Missouri Valley residents receive Atlas D Missile Site environmental cleanup update

Holding Back the Flow: Seattle District's Dam Safety Program

Omaha District hosts Equal Employment Opportunity counselor course

Overcoming challenges to meld history with modernity for the USAFA’s innovation center

Oahe Project, WOZU partner again to plant native trees along Cannonball River trail

Historic Structures, Modern Solutions: Seattle District’s Historic Structures and Buildings TCX tackles West Point’s Kosciuszko Garden

‘We represent the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’: Office of Counsel an essential element to engineering excellence

A Legacy of Dedication: John Landers Bids Farewell to Public Service

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