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  • April

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, has removed overgrowth of trees and plants as well as excess sediment from Ditch No. 5, shown here. This ditch is a part of the island’s drainage system designed to efficiently channel excess water away from vulnerable areas, preventing flooding, saltwater intrusion, water stagnation and minimizing soil erosion.

    Corps of Engineers’ drainage project nears completion at Fort Pulaski

    Situated on Cockspur Island at the mouth of the Savannah River, and designated a national monument in 1924, Fort Pulaski has suffered extensive flooding due to storms and heavy rain over the years, which prompted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, and the National Park Service to collaborate and find a way to manage drainage of the excess water.
  • Joseph Drawdy, a safety specialist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District is shown wearing the new safety helmet. As part of a USACE-wide mandate, the Savannah District is implementing the new helmets to enhance employee safety and mitigate workplace injuries.

    USACE Savannah District Implements Modern Safety Helmets

    In a measure aimed at enhancing worker safety and mitigating the risk of workplace injuries, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, has initiated the replacement of traditional hard hats worn by its personnel with more modern safety helmets. Mandated USACE-wide, this strategic update is designed to offer better protection for employees while working on construction sites.
  • Jason Mock Bailey, volunteer campground park attendant with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, stationed at the Watsadler Campground located in Hartwell, Georgia, found a renewed sense of purpose and self-worth working as a volunteer after he suffered life-threatening injuries from a terrible accident in 1991.

    From Injury to Inspiration: How One Volunteer Found Renewed Purpose

    In May of 1991 Jason Mock Bailey’s life was changed forever after he was electrocuted and fell to the ground from the highest arm of an electrical transmission tower.

  • March

    Representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the Federal Highway Administration pause for a photo after signing the Bat Programmatic Agreement during a ceremony at the Georgia Department of Transportation Headquarters, in Atlanta, Feb. 29, 2024. The Bat Programmatic Agreement creates a statewide process to streamline interagency consultation which is required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for transportation related projects that could negatively impact endangered bat species.

    Historic agreements protect bats, pave the way for new infrastructure

    In a win-win for Georgia’s bat species, two first-in the-Nation collaborative conservation agreements were signed during a brief ceremony, Feb. 29, 2024, at the Georgia Department of Transportation Headquarters, in Atlanta.

  • February

    Andrea Farmer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, archeologist, presents archeological artifacts recovered from the Savannah River to students at McAllister Elementary School during the school’s ninth annual career day, in Richmond Hill, Georgia, Feb. 9, 2024.

    USACE Savannah District inspires students at school’s career day

    Members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, participated in the McAllister Elementary School Career Day, in Richmond Hill, Georgia, Feb. 9, 2024.
  • Members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Emergency Power Planning and Response team, including Leland Tenijenhuis, electrician, and Master Sgt. Shermaine Malone, contract specialist, collaborate with the 249th Engineer Battalion and the contractor to evaluate a site for the possible placement of a generator during a mission in Saipan.

    Empowering Hope: Inside the Mission of the Corps of Engineers Temporary Emergency Power Team

    When natural disasters strike, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, deploys its temporary Emergency Power Planning and Response Team to provide electricity and hope to communities in distress.

  • January

    Col. Ronald Sturgeon, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District commander, presented Matthew Delano, Geotechnical and Hazardous, Toxic, Radioactive Waste branch chief, with a Certificate of Retirement and a Department of the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Medal after 43 years of federal service during his retirement ceremony, Jan. 3, 2024. Family and teammates gathered to celebrate Delano’s accomplishments and share kind words about the impact he has had on the people, culture and mission of the branch.

    USACE supervisory geologist retires after 43 years

    Matthew Delano’s 43-year career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, essentially began when he entered the University of Georgia’s student employment office during his sophomore year of college.

  • December

    Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, 55th chief of engineers and commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, visited Fort Liberty, N.C., Dec. 13 with Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty; Col. Ron Sturgeon, USACE, Savannah District commander, and the construction team to see the progress of the Smoke Bomb Hill Barracks renovation after the construction process began one year ago. The 1970s style volar barracks were identified as unsustainable in August 2022, and the USACE teams conducting the construction over the past year included the Savannah District’s Military Construction Program, the Omaha District’s Rapid Disaster Infrastructure Program, Huntsville’s Facilities Reduction Program experts and the contractor, Conti Federal Services.

    Teamwork: Smoke Bomb Hill Barracks Renovations Completed

    One year has passed and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed the renovation construction of three Smoke Bomb Hill barracks at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), which are scheduled to be turned over to the installation in early 2024.
  • Edwina Smalls, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District contract specialist, retires after 41 years of federal service with the District. The Savannah native said she plans to spend her retirement years with her family and travelling abroad occasionally.

    USACE contract specialist retires after 41 years

    Edwina Smalls started working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, in 1982 as a student aide in Human Resources while studying at Savannah State University.
  • David Quebedeaux, a park ranger at J. Strom Thurmond Lake with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, high-fives a little girl at a Santa meet-and-greet event. Quebedeaux’s appearances as Santa in previous years included local television stations, civic organizations and a special project called Sensory Santa geared toward children with special needs.

    USACE park ranger doubles as Santa

    SAVANNAH, Ga. – A typical uniform for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park ranger includes a tan flat-brimmed hat, gray shirt, dark green trousers, pair of sturdy boots, and a shiny badge.

  • 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.

  • June

    David Nelson, incoming President of the Society of American Military Engineers Savannah Post, presents Doug Saxon (right), deputy chief of Construction Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, with the Connolly Award, June 27, during the SAME Annual Program Review in Savannah, Ga. Saxon was recognized for his outstanding accomplishments with the district where he has been a key team member in the execution of numerous high-profile projects tDavid Nelson, incoming President of the Society of American Military Engineers Savannah Post, presents Doug Saxon (right), deputy chief of Construction Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, with the Connolly Award, June 27, during the SAME Annual Program Review in Savannah, Ga. Saxon was recognized for his outstanding accomplishments as a key team member in the execution of numerous high-profile projects throughout the years.

    USACE Deputy Construction Chief earns prestigious Connolly award

    Douglas Saxon, deputy chief of Construction Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, received the Society of American Military Engineers’ James Connolly Award during the SAME Annual Program Review at the Savannah Riverfront Marriot, June 27, 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.

  • 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

    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.