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  • November

    Erik Blechinger, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Deputy District Engineer for Planning, Programs and Project Management, was named 2023 Lt. Gen. John W. Morris Civilian of the Year. Blechinger oversaw the execution of several nationally significant projects and missions to include the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, Brunswick Harbor Modification Project, Pope Army Airfield Runway and Taxiway Replacement, Army barracks challenges, Veterans Affairs Program realignment, Direct and Reimbursable Civil and Military work, and the initiation of the Power Stabilization Mission in Puerto Rico.

    Deputy District Engineer named Lt. Gen. John W. Morris Civilian of the Year

    SAVANNAH, Ga. – Erik Blechinger, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Deputy District Engineer for Planning, Programs and Project Management, received the 2023 Lt. Gen. John W. Morris Civilian of the Year Award during the USACE National Awards Ceremony in Washington D.C., Nov. 29, 2023.
  • Griff Lynch, President and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority, addresses the audience during the 2023 Brunswick State of the Port Luncheon held at the Jekyll Island Convention Center, Oct. 30, 2023. The Port of Brunswick primarily operates as an auto and machinery port for roll--on/roll--off cargo and GPA is aiming to make it the top Ro/Ro port by 2026.

    GPA discusses harbor modifications, USACE dredging at Brunswick State of the Port

    JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. – Members from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, attended the 2023 Brunswick State of the Port Luncheon held at the Jekyll Island Convention Center Oct. 30, 2023.

  • May

    Bristol-EDT JV, LLC was awarded the contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, to renovate the building. Richard Tyler, Bristol-EDT JV, LLC project superintendent, arranged to donate the items to ReStore of The Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity, Inc., to be repurposed at various locations in Georgia.

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Construction project repurposes items from Fort Stewart barracks renovation

    Building 633, a 46-year-old Volunteer Army barracks, is getting extensive internal renovations, and the old doors, cabinets and other such hardware items that were removed are being repurposed at various locations on the installation and throughout Georgia.
  • Valjean Stell-Burns, chief of the Internal Review Office, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District receives a Certificate of Retirement from Savannah District Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Alex Duffy, May 16, during her retirement ceremony. Stell-Burns officially retires June 3 after 42 years of federal service.

    USACE Internal Review Chief retires after 42 years

    When Valjean Stell-Burns started working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1981, she was in her junior year of college at Savannah State University pursuing a degree in accounting.

  • April

    bird sitting on pipe

    Nesting season begins at DMCAs

    SAVANNAH, Ga. — Mary Richards and Robin Armetta, two biologists from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, survey bird species in the dredged material containment areas along the Savannah River, every two weeks. The DMCAs are designated placement sites for sediment removed from the Savannah River that provide habitats for several bird species.

  • March

    Two man-made cuts, called Dynamite Cut and Old River Run, in the salt marsh in Camden County, Georgia, located approximately 10 miles south of Brunswick were recently closed as the first Bi-partisan Infrastructure Law project to be completed. Each cut closure structure will be made of riprap, which are large rocks typically used to protect shoreline structures. The project is estimated to use approximately 8,000 tons for Dynamite Cut and 2,800 tons for Old River Run.

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District: First Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law Project Complete

    BRUNSWICK, Ga. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, celebrated the successful completion of closing man-made cuts in the salt marsh of the Satilla River with a ribbon cutting March 24 in Brunswick.

  • February

    Mechanics, electricians, managers, specialists, and park rangers participate in a sandbag demonstration during dam safety training at the Richard B. Russell Dam on Feb. 1, 2023. USACE photo by Mel Orr.

    Savannah District personnel conduct vital dam safety training

    SAVANNAH, Ga. – Members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, traveled to the dams at Richard B. Russell and J. Strom Thurmond Lakes to provide mandatory dam safety training Feb. 1-2, 2023.

  • January

    Samantha Holtzinger (second from right), physical scientist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, speaks with students at the Woodville-Tompkins Institute for the Society of Women Engineers’ 11th annual Girls Engineer It Day Expo on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. Savannah District were among approximately 25 other organizations who had representatives at their company informational booth. The event took place in the gymnasium, and 200-plus elementary through high school girls from Vidalia and Chatham County School districts attended. As the students came by to ask questions, the three ladies talked about their jobs, and the many jobs available in the Corps of Engineers.

    Future Engineers: Savannah District visits local Girls Engineer It Day

    Three team members from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, visited Woodville-Tompkins Institute for the Society of Women Engineers’ 11th annual Girls Engineer It Day Expo Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.
  • TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. – Jared Lopes (second from right), water resources planner for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, and Dr. Richard Styles, research oceanographer from the Engineer Research and Development Center Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, report their findings from their recently published ship wake study to the Tybee Island city council on Tybee Island, Ga. on Jan. 26, 2023. The study was set into motion amid concerns regarding the ongoing risk to beachgoers from vessel-generated wakes on Tybee Island’s northern shore. The goal of the study was to develop a better understanding of vessel traffic patterns and associated boat wakes generated by large commercial vessels. USACE photo by Mel Orr.

    Ship wake study presented to Tybee Island city council

    TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. – Members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, and the Engineer Research and Development Center reported the findings from their ship wake study to the Tybee Island city council on Tybee Island, Ga. on Jan. 26, 2023.

  • November

    There are approximately 4,000 different species, but only 50 types live solely in freshwater. The most common Bryozoans, which translates to “moss animal” in Latin, are the Pectinatella magnifica. It thrives in the Savannah River lakes and makes its own substrate, forming large gelatinous colonies that attach to anything stationary and grow just below the surface of the water.

    Freshwater Bryozoan are a sign of a healthy lake

    SAVANNAH, Ga. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Savannah River basin lakes, J. Strom Thurmond, Richard B. Russell and Hartwell, have some strange inhabitants that are alien, globby-looking things, and sometimes mistaken for the eggs of some aquatic creature, but in-fact, they are filter-feeding, microscopic invertebrates known as Freshwater Bryozoan or zooids, and their presence indicates a healthy body of water.
  • SAVANNAH, Ga. – Bruce Bennett, dissolved oxygen facilities manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, and Kate Dixon, design branch chief, lead a technical information tour of the lower Savannah River dissolved oxygen plant to attendees from the 2022 Hydraulic Institute Conference on Oct. 24, 2022. The Hydraulic Institute develops standards and technical resources for pump systems. They are responsible for publishing national standards covering pump and system nomenclature, definitions, design, application, installation, operation, maintenance, and testing. They also offer guidebooks and training on proper application and design of pumps and pump systems to industry professionals. USACE photo by Mel Orr.

    Hydraulic Institute Conference attendees tour Corps’ dissolved oxygen plant

    SAVANNAH, Ga. – Attendees of the Hydraulic Institute Fall Conference visited the lower Savannah River dissolved oxygen plant operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Oct. 24, 2022.

  • September

    Every year, Savannah District foresters allows a select contractor access to gather the berries. Prior to each season, the Directorate of Public Works Forestry Department at Fort Stewart identifies areas to be harvested and seeks the required environmental approval. Savannah District real estate foresters then oversees the operation by selling the available berries to the highest bidder. In a typical year, the Corps earns anywhere between $50,000 to $80,000 but this year was an especially good crop and earned more than $105,000, sold at the rate of $1.20 per pound.

    Palmetto berries provide Army Corps of Engineers significant revenue

    Every year, Savannah District foresters allows a select contractor access to gather the berries. Prior to each season, the Directorate of Public Works Forestry Department at Fort Stewart identifies areas to be harvested and seeks the required environmental approval. Savannah District real estate foresters then oversees the operation by selling the available berries to the highest bidder. In a typical year, the Corps earns anywhere between $50,000 to $80,000 but this year was an especially good crop and earned more than $105,000, sold at the rate of $1.20 per pound.
  • Graduates of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District Leadership Development Program Level 2 pose for a group photograph with Maj. Alex Duffy, deputy commander, during a graduation ceremony, Sept. 22 at the district headquarters. Shown from left to right: Craig Boles, Natasha Givens, Ian Wright, Rebecca Downey, Roger Ruppe, Shahidou Mariko, Anna Godfrey, Clayton Crider, Nicole Liette, Carl Dokter, Emily Cromie, Matthew Deacon and Curtis McKenzie. (USACE Photo by Rashida Banks)

    Savannah District graduates 2022 Leadership Development Class

    Twelve members from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, graduated from the USACE Leadership Development Program Level 2, during a ceremony Sept. 22 at the district headquarters. The program is designed to prepare and further develop employees with a high potential to serve in future leadership positions.

  • August

    Col. Joseph Geary, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District commander, was a keynote speaker during the 15th annual Georgia Environmental Conference plenary sessions Aug. 24. The environmental conference is noted as the largest, most comprehensive educational environmental opportunity in Georgia. Savannah District’s leaders and team members talked about what the District does to maintain, restore, protect, and improve the environment through its many projects and regulatory programs.

    Savannah District members talk about role in supporting the environment

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District’s leaders and team members talked about what the District does to maintain, restore, protect, and improve the environment through its many projects and regulatory programs at the 15th annual Georgia Environmental Conference Aug. 23-26.
  • Lucia Wimberly, the dam safety program manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, provides an overview of the Corps Dam Safety Program during a tabletop exercise for Clemson Diversion Dams July 27. The exercises help foster dialogue between the Corps and stakeholders and prepares them to respond more effectively and efficiently to a dam-related emergency.

    USACE staff conducts dam safety emergency exercises

    Members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, and Clemson University participated in dam safety tabletop exercises at Hartwell and Clemson Diversion Dams July 27-28. The exercises help foster dialogue between the Corps and stakeholders and prepares them to respond more effectively and efficiently to an emergency with the dam.

  • June

    A 3-D rendering of multi-beam sonar survey data depicts an anomaly, most likely a concrete structure, sitting on the bottom of the Savannah River.

    Savannah District paints a clear picture of the Savannah River bottom with sonar mapping technology

    SAVANNAH, Ga. – Every year, more than six-million visitors travel to walk the cobblestone steps of River Street in historic, downtown Savannah, Ga. An unobstructed view of the Savannah River offers visitors the unique opportunity of viewing some of the largest cargo ships in the world as they pass by under the Talmadge Memorial Bridge on their way to the Georgia Ports Authority’s Garden City Terminal. What they don’t see through the dark water under the passing ships, however, is the 47-feet deep river channel bottom, recently deepened and annually maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District.

  • May

    Burton “Burt” Moore, Chief of the Dredging Section of the Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, surveys the beach renourishment at Tybee Island, Georgia. Moore oversees the work to repair beach erosion caused by Hurricanes Matthew and Irma in 2016 and 2017. Renourishing the beach will help mitigate damage from future storms striking the small Georgia resort town. The Corps of Engineers awarded the work contract to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company. Tybee Island sits adjacent to the Savannah harbor shipping channel, a federal navigation project. The Corps of Engineers continues its Savannah Harbor Expansion Project to deepen the entire harbor from its current 42-foot depth to 47 feet. Dredging crews completed the outer harbor, also known as the outer channel, deepening in the spring of 2018. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Billy Birdwell.) (Photos taken on April 11, 2018.)

    Dredging Chief Receives Maritime Person of the Year Award

    Burt Moore’s decades-long dedication to the Savannah River was recently recognized when the Savannah Propeller Club rewarded him with the Maritime Person of the Year in Savannah, Georgia on May 19 as part of the club’s celebration of National Maritime Day.
  • J. STROM THURMOND PROJECT - Maj. Alex Duffy, Savannah District deputy commander, leads a hurricane preparedness tabletop exercise at J. Strom Thurmond Dam, Georgia May 5. These types of exercises help staff sections within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan around natural and man-made disasters. Corps staff reacted to a scenario based on Hurricane Michael, which struck the Florida panhandle, southeast Alabama, and southwest Georgia in 2018.

    Army staff prepare for speculative storm strike in southwest Georgia

    J. STROM THURMOND DAM, Ga. – As a notional category four hurricane bears down on southwest Georgia, residents, government agencies, and Army engineers prepare for the worst – damaging winds, flooding and electrical failures. The speculative storm strike brought U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District staff together at J. Strom Thurmond Dam, Georgia May 5, to war game the scenario, something the district does on a regular basis.
  • SAVANNAH, Ga. – Andrea Farmer, Savannah District archeologist, left, speaks to Commodore Philip Nash during a visit to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District in Savannah, Georgia on April 28. Nash, who is the Royal Naval attaché to the U.S. at the British Embassy in Washington D.C., visited the Corps to view the 19 cannon and various other artifacts that the Corps recently recovered in the Savannah River during its Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. USACE photo by Mel Orr.

    Commodore keen on cannon collection

    Commodore Philip Nash, Royal Naval attaché to the U.S. at the British Embassy in Washington D.C., visited Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers April 28 to view 19 cannon and various other artifacts that the Corps found during its Savannah Harbor Expansion Project.

  • April

    The South Atlantic Division performs a tabletop exercise in preparation of the 2022 hurricane season.

    Army engineers prepare for hurricane season, expect up to eight storms

    SAVANNAH, Ga. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, has begun preparing for the hurricane season in the Southeast with an extensive schedule of training and safety exercises throughout Georgia.