Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks) Lock Closure Updates
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials are seeking public comments on the draft supplemental environmental assessment for the proposed update to Mud Mountain Dam’s Water Control Manual. USACE is poised to finalize the water control manual in October 2026, ahead of the 2026-2027 winter flood season.
For the past four years, Kyle Comanor has managed water flows at dams near and within the greater Seattle area. In his role as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Seattle District’s senior water manager for western Washington, communicating with other agencies, especially those who forecast, is critical in making water management decisions that positively impact recreational water use, flood risk reduction and public safety.
Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District will host an open house Sept. 1 in Auburn, Washington to inform the public about the district’s efforts to update Mud Mountain Dam’s Water Control Manual.
During one of western Washington's most significant flood events in recent history in December 2025, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood risk management dams, water managers and emergency response operations helped reduce flood risk across the Puget Sound region by holding back peak flows, protecting communities, and helping prevent an estimated $8.7 billion in potential flood damages.
Map illustration showing where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District will oversee maintenance dredging in Willapa Bay, Wash., starting as early as July 16, 2026.

Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork

Latest News Releases

USACE seeks comment on supplemental environmental assessment for Mud Mountain Dam Water Control Manual update
8/18/2026
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) officials are seeking public comments on the draft supplemental environmental assessment for the proposed update to Mud Mountain Dam’s Water Control Manual. USACE...
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Recognizes National Hydropower Day and Highlights Public-Private Energy Partnerships
8/17/2026
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is proud to recognize National Hydropower Day, Aug. 24. For more than 140 years, the USACE Hydropower Program has been providing the nation with ready,...
Below normal runoff continues in the Upper Missouri Basin
8/10/2026
July runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa was 2.0 million acre-feet (MAF), 61% of average. Runoff was below-normal to well-below-normal in the Fort Peck, Garrison, and Oahe...
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begins North Fork Skagit River Levee Repairs
8/10/2026
Repairs to the North Fork Skagit River levee system to provide 50-year flood protection for residential and agricultural lands in the Skagit Delta in the city of Mount Vernon, Washington, begins...
Heat broils eastern Washington, Idaho as federal water managers seek to salve river temperatures. Enter Dworshak Dam – calm, cool (water) and collected.
7/27/2026
The Clearwater and Snake rivers converge at Lewiston and the hot water from those two rivers mixing there is dangerous for salmon and steelhead that prefer cooler water temperatures. As dire as this...

Photos from around Seattle District

Photo of a bulldozer, moving materials during undergoing levee repair operations at a levee site.
Photo of active construction on a levee site
Photo of two people wearing safety gear discussing levee rehabilitation efforts on a levee site.
Photo of Mud Mountain Dam inlet tower
Photo of Howard A. Hansom Dam.
Person at podium gives remarks
Corps of Engineers and Air Force officials pose for groundbreaking photo
Tissue sample is measured

Latest News Articles

From flood fight to recovery: Seattle District continues restoring flood protection across the Pacific Northwest
8/26/2026
The December 2025 flood event tested communities, infrastructure and emergency response organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District responded...
USACE dams reduced flood risk during December 2025 storms, helped prevent billions in potential damages
7/20/2026
During one of western Washington's most significant flood events in recent history in December 2025, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood risk management dams, water managers and emergency response...
Strengthening water partnerships: USACE water manager partners with Northwest River Forecast Center
7/16/2026
For the past four years, Kyle Comanor has managed water flows at dams near and within the greater Seattle area. In his role as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Seattle District’s senior water...
USACE, U.S. Air Force partners fortify Malmstrom national defense with ‘Gateway to Sentinel’ groundbreaking
6/17/2026
U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leaders celebrated a project groundbreaking May 28, 2026 at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. The project will serve as the “gateway” for future...

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