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District’s rapid response team helps extinguish coalmine fire in Washington state
10/8/2020
In June, after an unsuccessful attempt by local firefighters to put out a smoldering fire at an abandoned Navy coalmine in Cumberland, Washington, the Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation reached...
Omaha District recognized with distinguished industry awards
9/17/2020 UPDATED
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District received multiple awards from industry stakeholders for performance in construction, small business contracting, safety and public affairs. Receiving...
District’s technical center of expertise provides rapid response during emergencies
9/16/2020
With September and October being the peak hurricane months, the Omaha District's rapid response team stands ready to offer disaster relief assistance should the need arise. According the National...
Omaha District’s small business program empowers service disabled Veterans
8/27/2020
The Omaha District is empowering service disabled veterans through a unique program designed to offer competitive work contracts to small business owners. These veteran owned small business are making...
Real estate division provides important mission support across District
8/22/2020
With an area of responsibility covering six states, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and Montana, the Omaha District is one of the largest within Army Corps of Engineers – with that...
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Category: Emergency Management
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  • May

    The completed alternate care facilty at Kalispell, Mont., has 98 patient care rooms, seven nurse’s stations, four restrooms, three pharmacies (which can be converted into patient care rooms) and a medical supply storage room.

    Corps completes 100-bed alternate care facility in Kalispell, Montana

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, completed construction on an alternate care facility in Kalispell, Montana, May 24, two days earlier than required. The ACF also came in more than 10% under budget.
  • Ryan Field, left, project manager, and Jeremy Ayala, construction representative, both with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, District, compare the plans May 12, for what will be an alternate care facility in Kalispell, Mont., to the progress made on day two of construction. The state of Montana requested FEMA to task the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, to build the ACF on the vacant, undeveloped, third floor of Montana Children’s, the new pediatric facility of the Kalispell Regional Medical Center. The temporary facility would accommodate non-acute patients in case Montana faces an increase in COVID-19 patients in the fall. When completed, the ACF will have 98 patient care rooms, seven nurse’s station, four restrooms, three pharmacies and a medical supply storage room.

    USACE helps Montana, FEMA prepare for COVID-19 future

    In the three and a half months since the first COVID-19 case was diagnosed in the U.S., the state of Montana has the second lowest number of total cases, and the lowest number of cases per capita of any state in the country. Those low numbers did not stop the state’s leaders and FEMA from enlisting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, to prepare for the future fight against the virus.
  • This map shows the locations of the series of dams along the Salt Creek watershed in Lincoln, Nebraska. Rainfall on May 6, 2015, set new records at several of the Salt Creek Dams.

    “Worst flooding in years,” isn’t most destructive

    Flooding, with record flood stages in the Salt Creek basin struck Lincoln, Nebraska on Thursday, May 7. Heavy, unpredicted rain fell overnight on May 6, with rainfall totals at nearly 7 inches in Lincoln and up to nearly 10.5 inches in Fairbury, Nebraska near the Little Blue River nearly 70 miles southwest of Lincoln. As the Salt Creek and nearby tributaries reached flood stage, the state of Nebraska and LPSNRD requested technical assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under Public Law 84-99, which authorizes USACE to provide assistance when waterways are in or forecast to be in or above flood stage.

  • March

    An ice jam pushes water levels close to the top of the levee in Greybull, Wyo. Sandbagging crews from the Wyoming Department of Transportation and the Wyoming National Guard had placed sandbags in low or threatened areas along the Greybull levee at the instruction of John Bartel who was providing technical assistance from the Omaha District. National Weather Service Photo

    Greybull Levee performs as designed reducing risks from ice jam flooding

    While snowmelt and ice jam flooding can occur at any time, they typically occur during early spring thaw. Any ice jam can cause flooding or rapid increases in water levels within a short time period. Residents living near these rivers are reminded to monitor reports closely for ice jam flooding and be prepared to relocate to higher ground if flooding occurs. The levee in Greybull, Wyo., reduced risks to the town during recent ice jam flooding.

  • November

    Cherry Creek Dam Safety Exercise participants were taken through a high water scenario at Cherry Creek Dam, which was developed through the collaboration of Omaha District personnel representing offices such as Dam Safety, Emergency Management, and Water Management and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Readiness Support Center located in Mobile, Ala. (Photo by Eileen Williamson)

    Exercising Safety: Bear Creek, Cherry Creek and Chatfield dams catch floodwaters while reducing flooding risks

    A stalled front brings record rainfall to the Front Range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The runoff brings a surge of water through canyons and foothills and into major population centers of central Colorado. But, this surge of water happened only in a virtual environment. During the week of Aug. 19, several employees from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District participated in a safety exercise focused on Cherry Creek Dam and Reservoir near Denver, Colo. – or more to the point, in the middle of the Denver metropolitan area.

  • October

    The 2nd Ave bridge in Lyons, Colo., was impacted as high flows on the St. Vrain River forced the river from its channel flowing through a park and ball field, washing out parts of 2nd Avenue as well as impacting the 2nd Avenue bridge before returning to its natural channel. Regional General Permit 96-07 is being used to authorize larger flood related repair projects not covered under the Nationwide Permits. The Denver Regulatory Office developed RGP 96-07 for flood related activities in Colorado. Activities still require review from the Denver Regulatory Office.

    Colorado flooding brings flood of attention to vital regulatory permitting program

    In mid September, a wet monsoonal pattern stalled along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains bringing heavy rains to the foothills west of Boulder. The resulting flooding impacted roads, bridges and other infrastructure, with rivers carving new channels and eroding riverbanks. Major roadways in the Estes Park area sustained severe damages with limited alternatives to access these areas for repairs. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District activated its Emergency Operations Center Sept. 12, in preparation for the anticipated requests for assistance during and following the resulting flooding. Calls also began to flood the Omaha District’s Denver Regulatory office located on Chatfield Dam near Littleton, Colo.