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.

For Jacqui Bergner, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers aquatic biologist, the rumble of a dredging vessel's engine wasn't just noise—it was the sound of her office. For one week, she called the massive hopper dredge Essayons home, working 12-hour shifts sifting through thousands of pounds of sand and mud.

Aerial photo of Albeni Falls Dam, located in Oldtown, Idaho. Authorized for construction under the Flood Control Act of 1950, in response to the 1948 flood that swept over the river valleys of the Columbia Basin. The operating project's authorized purposes include flood control, hydropower generation and recreation.

Screenshot photo image of the Regulatory Request System (RRS) homepage, taken May 19, 2026. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is transitioning to receiving permit applications and providing regulatory information to the public through RRS, a new online portal. USACE Seattle District’s regulatory division will host outreach events from spring through fall of 2026 to demonstrate how to use RRS and to answer questions about the new system.

Photo of signage for the Blackwell Flats Campground, one of the campgrounds available to reserve through Recreation.gov. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) officials announced that Libby Dam will transition to Recreation.gov for all campground reservations and day-use picnic shelter reservations fee payments beginning May 22. Under the new system, all campsites and day use shelters will be reservable through the digital platform May 22 through Sept. 6.