Omaha District News

Looking Back at Ground Zero, Part 3

Delanie Stafford — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Third and final part of a series highlighting the firsthand experiences of Omaha District employees who supported search and recovery efforts at Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The series is in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

Looking Back at Ground Zero, Part 2

Delanie Stafford — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Part two of a three-part series highlighting the firsthand experiences of Omaha District employees who supported search and recovery efforts at Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The series is in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

Looking Back at Ground Zero, Part 1

Delanie Stafford — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:06:00 GMT

Part one of a three-part series highlighting the firsthand experiences of Omaha District employees who supported search and recovery efforts at Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The series is in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

Memorial bench dedicated in honor of Bruce Dvoracek at Gavins Point Dam

Delanie Stafford — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 14:04:00 GMT

A memorial bench was recently dedicated at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District’s Gavins Point Dam in honor of Bruce Dvoracek, who dedicated more than two decades of service to the project before his tragic passing in an automobile accident Aug. 5, 2022, shortly before his planned retirement.

USACE, Air Force open modernized helicopter, tactical response force facility supporting nuclear security

Makenzie Leonard — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 20:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Air Force marked a significant milestone in national nuclear defense infrastructure with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 14, 2026, for the new 37th Helicopter Squadron and 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron Tactical Response Force building.

St. Vrain Creek flood risk reduction project nears completion in Longmont

Ryan Hansen — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:16:00 GMT

A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District flood risk reduction project along the St. Vrain Creek in Longmont, Colorado, is substantially complete, marking another milestone in the community’s ongoing effort to improve flood resilience following the catastrophic flooding of 2013.

Omaha employees honored for saving taxpayers’ dollars

Lisa Crawford — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 21:37:00 GMT

Three U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District employees received the Department of the Army Civilian Service Achievement Medal for their outstanding service and stewardship of taxpayers’ dollars, July 16, 2026, at the Edward Zorinsky Federal Building in Omaha, Nebraska.

Omaha District under new leadership following change of command

Ryan Hansen — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:22:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, held a change of command ceremony July 28, 2026, at the Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha, Nebraska, welcoming Col. Joe Sahl and thanking outgoing commander Col. Robert Newbauer.

Partnership strengthens waterfowl conservation through annual goose banding effort

Delanie Stafford — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:58:25 GMT

Natural resources specialists from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District’s Garrison Project recently joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, and other partners for a two-day Canada goose banding operation at Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, highlighting the importance of interagency collaboration in conserving North America's migratory bird populations.

Spillway flow test conducted for Garrison Dam Safety Modification Project

Delanie Stafford — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:04:00 GMT

A functional spillway flow test was conducted at the Garrison Dam in late June marking a first for the Garrison Dam Safety Modification Project. Engineers with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District conducted the test to evaluate the long-term performance and reliability of the structure while ensuring it is ready for future flood events.

Sen. Pete Ricketts visits levee rehabilitation project near Peru

Pentagon News — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:54:00 GMT

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts joined Col. Robert Newbauer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District commander, and project leaders for a tour of rehabilitation efforts on the R-562 levee system June 15, 2026.

A unified front: federal and state agencies partner to secure Hayden Park

Makenzie Leonard — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:18:02 GMT

William F. Hayden Park is a scenic public park on the side of Green Mountain in Lakewood, Colorado, attracting nearly 500,000 visitors annually. Prior to its existence as a public park, this stretch of Green Mountain was known by the Army National Guard as the Camp George West Artillery Range.

Tributary dams help provide flood risk reduction, saving millions in damages

Delanie Stafford — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 14:57:02 GMT

Many people will visit popular lakes across the Midwest this summer for recreation without ever knowing the reservoirs provide several other benefits. These benefits include irrigation, water supply for domestic use, and habitats for fish and wildlife. One of their primary purposes, however, is to provide critical flood risk reduction. Each year, the reservoir systems help save downstream communities from the potential loss of life and millions of dollars in flood damage. The reservoirs work together to collect and store water during high-water events and then release it once downstream flood risks have subsided. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, currently manages 35 tributary reservoirs with federally authorized flood control storage across several Upper Midwest and western states, including projects owned by USACE, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and local authorities.

Fort Peck Interpretive Center director honored for public communication, outreach

Delanie Stafford — Thu, 28 May 2026 12:13:00 GMT

Sue Dalbey, director of the Fort Peck Interpretive Center, has been selected as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2025 Honorary Communicator of the Year for her leadership and outreach efforts in communicating USACE missions and programs.

District completes Pipestem Dam spillway modification project

Makenzie Leonard — Wed, 27 May 2026 20:09:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District has completed the $250 million Pipestem Dam Spillway Modification Project, fulfilling a three-year commitment to residents of Jamestown, North Dakota, and communities downstream of the dam. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held May 19 to celebrate the milestone.

District employee set to retire after 43-year career of safeguarding buildings, people

Delanie Stafford — Mon, 11 May 2026 17:38:47 GMT

A longtime U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District employee will retire this summer after more than four decades shaping how military and federal buildings withstand threats and conserve energy.

District revives Brainstorm the Castle innovation initiative

Pentagon News — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:28:30 GMT

Innovation often starts with a simple idea, like an observation from someone doing the work every day who sees a better way to accomplish the mission. A program known as Brainstorm the Castle is giving employees across the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District a platform to turn those ideas into real improvements that strengthen operations, streamline processes and support the district’s mission.

Secretary Telle, Senator Ricketts tour Missouri River, discuss future of flood protection in Nebraska

Andrew Nystrom — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:56:57 GMT

Federal leaders toured the Missouri River corridor April 9 to assess power generation and flood protection infrastructure and discuss future risk reduction efforts in Nebraska. Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle joined Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts and Maj. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deputy commanding general for civil and emergency operations, during the visit, which included project briefings, a river tour and meetings with regional stakeholders hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District.

Williston flood preparedness put to the test as agencies, stakeholders rehearse levee emergency response

Andrew Nystrom — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:35:26 GMT

A tabletop exercise simulating a catastrophic levee failure and flooding emergency affecting the Williston, North Dakota area was held April 7, 2026, at the Williams County Emergency Operations Center. The exercise, planned and hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District's Dam and Levee Safety Branch, brought together local, state and federal emergency managers along with law enforcement, public works officials, and stakeholders from the Williston area, to meet critical goals in emergency preparedness and flood response.

EIS underway for proposed Perkins County Canal project

Delanie Stafford — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:33:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, is serving as the lead federal agency responsible for preparing an Environmental Impact Statement and evaluating a federal permit application for the proposed Perkins County Canal project. A Section 404 permit application was submitted by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment and was determined complete by USACE, along with a formal determination that an EIS is required due to the project’s potential to significantly affect the environment.