29 Aug 2014

FUDS: Then to now... still charging ahead

In 1982 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency made the clean-up of Baird McGuire the one of its top priorities. Who did they call? The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Omaha District and its Environmental Branch, which took the “Superfund” assignment, hit the ground running, and more than 30 years later is renowned for its comprehensive expertise and clean up capabilities relative to hazardous, toxic and radioactive waste sites.

26 Aug 2014

Omaha District employees volunteer for a better community

Twenty-six years ago, Brush Up Nebraska came to life as a community-based volunteer program that paints homes of qualified low-income elderly and low-income permanently disabled homeowners, in the Omaha Metropolitan Area. The upgrades to the home helps homeowners maintain their property, and beautify the community.

18 Aug 2014

Military Munitions Remediation at Camp Hale: the project, the history, the public

Through the Department of Defense’s Formerly Used Defense Sites mission and under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District is cleaning up contamination, addressing military munitions, and removing safety hazards caused by past activities near Camp Hale, Colo., where the Army trained for winter warfare from 1942 to 1965.

12 Aug 2014

USACE publications begin moving to digital environment

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Digital Library is giving a permanent home to a large collection of publications, reports and documents prepared by districts across USACE. The materials within the collection include information by and about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. All content is contributed by offices throughout USACE and is enriched with metadata designated by its contributors and librarians. The digitized materials are uploaded into the CONTENTdm® Digital Collection Management System which allows for greater search and retrieval of items. The digital library is managed and maintained by the USACE Library Program.

11 Aug 2014

Runway replacement project nearing completion

The final phase of a three-phase $67 million program to completely replace the Minot Air Force Base, N.D., runway begain in April 2014. The $32.8 million construction contract is scheduled for completion in early October.

26 Jun 2014

Collaboration leads to flood risk solutions in Schuyler

The first half of the month of June brought heavy rainfall to northeastern Nebraska including the community of Schuyler. Heavy storms the weekend of June 20 caused lowland flooding along Shell Creek reminding residents of Schuyler of the importance of constructing a new levee. The Shell Creek Levee project experienced work delays during the week of June 23 because of the increased precipitation and runoff. Ceremonial shovels broke ground in Schuyler March 27 and despite rain and chilly temperatures, warmth from smiles radiated from the project team.

4 Jun 2014

Engineering, more than a full-time job

Engineers are needed around-the-world for their knowledge and expertise. Their skills and talents are honed through formal education and job experiences and many choose to share their talents through volunteering. Jennifer Davis, a hydrological engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District is a volunteer with the Nebraska Chapter of Engineers without Borders (EWB-NE). In June 2013, a team from the EWB-NE spent two weeks in Uganda working on rain harvesting projects. Traveling to Uganda were eight representatives of the Nebraska chapter: two students, a student chapter advisor from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and five members of the Nebraska professional chapter, including Davis.

10 Apr 2014

Delicate dance with a dinosaur

There are dozens of elements within the collection including pieces that are at least 5 feet long and take up the length of an entire crate and pieces that are smaller than 5 centimeters, wrapped in foil and paper and stored in sealed plastic bags. Following a checklist that identifies the crate, the box, the body part, and the bone piece; the team photographs and inspects the condition of each fossilized bone.

13 Mar 2014

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.

5 Mar 2014

Project maintenance, cavitation repairs and OJT

Among the various projects taking place at Gavins Point Power Plant, generator unit number three was recently dewatered to allow project crews to inspect the draft tube for damage caused by cavitation and make the necessary repairs. Cavitation repairs in the draft tube for unit three will continue through mid-March. Additional maintenance and rehabilitation projects are also underway at the Gavins Point project including replacing three power transformers and rehabilitating the spillway’s tainter gates. Work will move to unit two for annual generator maintenance, to install new un-watering and drain valves, to install a new motor control center, and replace switchgear equipment.