Omaha District News Releases

Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee to hold spring plenary session in Nebraska City, Nebraska

Press Operations — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:17:55 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District announced that the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC) will hold a plenary session May 19-20, 2026, in Nebraska City, Nebraska. The meeting will be held at the Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm beginning at 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 19, and concluding at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20. The draft MRRIC meeting agenda can be requested by emailing mrric@usace.army.mil. The MRRIC meets one to two times each year.

Thunder Butte DRAFT Integrated Feasibility Report & Environmental Assessment

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in partnership with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST), is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Integrated Feasibility Report (IFR) for the Thunder Butte project in South Dakota. Please access the Draft IFR/EA documents using the links below. The public is encouraged to submit comments during the public comment period, 24 March 2026 - 30 April 2026.

Additional public meeting seeking input for proposed Perkins County Canal Project to be held in Ogallala, Nebraska

Press Operations — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 23:29:03 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Omaha District Regulatory Division is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act for the proposed Perkins County Canal Project. The EIS will analyze the potential impacts of the proposed project on the human and natural environment. A copy of the Special Public Notice and Notice of Intent (February 20, 2026) is available on the project website. An additional public meeting seeking public input for the proposed Perkins County Canal Project is scheduled for March 31, 2026, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the NACO West Training Center, 102 Diamond Springs Trail, Ogallala, NE 69153.

Opportunity to Enter into a Challenge Cost-Sharing Cooperative Management Agreement

Press Operations — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:51:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Omaha District, is seeking proposals from Non-Federal Public Entities and Non-Proﬁt Entities interested in entering into a Challenge Cost-Sharing Cooperative Management Agreement (CCSCMA) for the purpose of collaboratively managing designated recreation areas within Omaha District. CCSCMAs may be established for an initial term of up to ten (10) years, with an additional ﬁve (5) option-years available without further competition.

Join USACE water managers for public meetings on Missouri River system operations

Press Operations — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:19:00 GMT

After a season of virtual-only updates, USACE Missouri River water managers look forward to meeting with members of the public in person this spring. The public is invited to join the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local weather experts for a series of briefings on the 2026 runoff season, reservoir status, and our planned operations for the year ahead.

Dry outlook persists for Missouri River despite early spring runoff; Navigation support to begin mid-March

Press Operations — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 19:48:00 GMT

Warm February temperatures triggered early snowmelt and runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, but the overall 2026 runoff forecast remains well below average. February runoff was 1.3 million acre-feet, 113% of average. Despite this above average runoff in the Garrison, Oahe, and Gavins Point reaches, the full-year runoff forecast above Sioux City, Iowa is 20.6 MAF, 80% of average.

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works announces ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ initiative for the Army’s Civil Works program

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:00:00 GMT

On Feb. 23, 2026, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam R. Telle announced a major initiative, “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” for the Army’s Civil Works program. Within the Omaha District, this initiative supports the continued delivery of critical infrastructure projects that strengthen communities, enhance resilience, and support national priorities across the region.

Public invited to comment on proposed Perkins County Canal Project

Press Operations — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 18:57:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Omaha District Regulatory Division is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act for the proposed Perkins County Canal Project. The EIS will analyze the potential impacts of the proposed project on the human and natural environment. The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment is seeking a Department of the Army standard permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for the discharge of dredged or fill material to construct, operate and maintain the proposed project, which would be located along the South Platte River in Sedgwick County, Colorado and Deuel and Keith Counties, Nebraska.

Once-in-a-generation Missouri River study seeks public input

Press Operations — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 20:57:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District and Omaha District, announced today it will host a series of public meetings to provide updates and gather public input on the Lower Missouri River Basin Flood Risk and Resiliency Study.

Winter access policy set for Lakes Sakakawea, Audubon

Press Operations — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:10:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District’s Garrison Project has released the 2025-2026 winter access policy for Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon.

Fort Peck announces winter access for motorized vehicles

Press Operations — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:18:09 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Fort Peck Project has announced winter guidance for motorized access at Fort Peck Reservoir located near Fort Peck, Montana.

Public encouraged to submit comments on Lower Missouri River flood risk study

Press Operations — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:09:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District and Kansas City District (USACE) have jointly prepared a feasibility report with integrated programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) that analyzes and discloses effects associated with the Lower Missouri River Flood Risk and Resiliency System Plan Comprehensive Study. The System Plan has been developed to identify actions to address flood risk and resiliency along the entire Lower Missouri River basin. The System Plan identifies projects that can achieve flood risk benefits while also providing ecological, recreational, economic or social benefits.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces publication of 2026 nationwide permits

Press Operations — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 17:40:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today the publication of the 2026 nationwide permits in the Federal Register. The 56 reissued and one new nationwide permit in the final action are necessary for work in streams, wetlands and other waters of the United States under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces finalization of nationwide permits

Press Operations — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 18:54:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will reissue 56 existing nationwide permits and issue one new permit for work in wetlands and other waters that are regulated by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. One existing permit will not be reissued.

USACE publishes ﬁnal Dakota Access Pipeline environmental impact statement

Press Operations — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:12:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District has published the Final Environmental Impact Statement evaluating Dakota Access, LLC’s request for an easement under the Mineral Leasing Act for the Dakota Access Pipeline. The pipeline has been in operation since 2017 and crosses beneath federally managed land at Lake Oahe, North Dakota.

Notice of prescribed burns: Missouri River Recovery Program mitigation sites, Nebraska

Press Operations — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 17:10:46 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, in contract with Cloud Mountain Forestry, will conduct prescribed burns from Nov. 20, 2025, to April 15, 2026, at nine individual mitigation sites located in the following Nebraska counties: Burt, Cass, Otoe, Nemaha and Richardson. The exact dates and times will depend on weather and site conditions.

Vegetation control to begin on Missouri River sandbars between Garrison Dam and Huff, N.D.

Press Operations — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:03:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct vegetation management activities during August and September on sandbars in the Missouri River between Garrison Dam and Huff, North Dakota. The Bismarck-Mandan river reach (river miles 1325 to 1310) will not be sprayed. This work is being done to keep the sandbars free of vegetation and usable by the threatened piping plover for nesting.

Vegetation control to begin on Missouri River sandbars between Yankton and Vermillion, S.D.

Press Operations — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:01:00 GMT

During September, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct vegetation management activities on sandbars in the Missouri River between Yankton and Vermillion, South Dakota, the upper portion of Lewis and Clark Lake near Springfield South Dakota and Niobrara, Nebraska, and as far upstream as Pickstown, South Dakota. This work is being done to keep the sandbars free of vegetation and usable by the threatened piping plover for nesting as well to control invasive common reed that has become prevalent in the lake area.

Fort Peck reminds campers of regulations

Press Operations — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:40:00 GMT

The Natural Resource Office at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Fort Peck Project would like to remind visitors of the following regulations governing camping:

Recreational areas at Lake Oahe Project to reopen Aug. 14

Press Operations — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:57:37 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District’s Lake Oahe Project will reopen Beaver Creek and Hazelton recreational areas, located in North Dakota, from Aug. 14. to Sept. 30, 2025. The Cattail Bay primitive camping area also will also reopen beginning Aug. 14.