Seattle District News

Libby Dam 50th Commemoration: Reflections of Legacy

Nicole L. Celestine — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:30:00 GMT

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District celebrated 50 years of operations at Libby Dam, during its commemoration event at Libby, Montana, Aug. 23, 2025. The event recognized the achievements of former and current USACE employees in building and maintaining the dam, the partnerships that made it possible and to reflect on the impacts the dam has on the region and the nation.

Building together: USACE highlights regional needs, invites business innovation

Shelia Fourman — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 22:16:00 GMT

The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Northwest Posts hosted the Meet the Chiefs 2025 Regional Event on June 17, at the Seattle Airport Marriott. This gathering brought together leaders from key federal agencies and industry partners for a full day of strategic insights, networking, and future planning.

From Construction to Conservation: One Family’s Legacy of Service at Libby Dam

Tana Wilson, Natural Resource Manager, Libby Dam — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 21:30:00 GMT

As part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District's commemoration of 50 years of operations at Libby Dam, Montana, Natural Resource Manager Tana Wilson shares her family's legacy of service from construction to conservation, today.

‘You either love or hate Pullman’: USACE project engineer, Washington State University alumna, reflects on vital project for alma mater

Louis R. Velasco — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:39:00 GMT

For Katlyn Struxness, a project engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Seattle District, Pullman, Washington, isn’t just a place—it’s where innovation, community and agriculture come together in unexpected ways. Her role in the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Plant Sciences Building project on Washington State University has deepened her connection to the Palouse region, a place where she can be part of something larger than a job title.

From delamination to durability: How Fiber-Reinforced Polymer is fortifying Albeni Falls Dam's Gate 3

Nicole L. Celestine — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:00:00 GMT

Discovered in April 2024 during routine maintenance, Gate 3, one of Albeni Falls Dam’s 10 spillway gates revealed defective steel, likely a consequence of the original 1950s fabrication process. While a long-term plan for complete gate replacement is underway, the immediate need was for a robust, interim solution to bring Gate 3 back into service and restore the dam's full operational flexibility. Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) offers a technically superior Band-Aid, providing significant structural enhancement, a glimpse into the future of dam maintenance and a testament to modern engineering ingenuity.

Engineering Readiness for the Indo-Pacific: The 34th Forward Engineer Support Team – Advance Deployment & Certification Training Exercise

1st Lt. Allan Jung — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:10:28 GMT

The 34th Forward Engineer Support Team - Advance (FEST-A), from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Seattle District successfully conducted a Certification Exercise (CERTEX), used to validate deployment readiness for engineering support across the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).

Holding Back the Flow: Seattle District's Dam Safety Program

Nicole L. Celestine — Thu, 29 May 2025 16:00:00 GMT

“One might think that in 21st century America, we’ve put an end to dam failures, but that’s not true,” said Seattle District’s Dam Safety Program Manager Richard Smith. “Dams continue to fail for numerous reasons and all too often with disastrous consequences. Lives are still being lost, and it’s our responsibility as good dam stewards to ensure our dams do not fail."

Breaking ground: New flight base ops facility to supercharge Fairchild AFB's global reach

Louis R. Velasco — Mon, 12 May 2025 19:58:00 GMT

Leadership and representatives across the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, 92nd Operations Group, 141st Air Refueling Wing, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Garco Construction and more, gathered at the future site of Fairchild's new Consolidated Flight Base Operations Facility on May 9 to celebrate its groundbreaking milestone. The $48 million facility will serve as a central hub for more than a dozen Active, Guard and Reserve organizations to support the installation’s aerial refueling mission and operational readiness for years to come.

Historic Structures, Modern Solutions: Seattle District’s Historic Structures and Buildings TCX tackles West Point’s Kosciuszko Garden

Kimberly Lopes — Fri, 02 May 2025 22:16:00 GMT

Cadets, faculty and visitors at the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York, may stumble upon Kosciuszko’s Garden on the east bank of the Hudson River, but few know its rich history as the personal project of revered Polish general and engineers, Thaddeus Kosciuszko.

A Legacy of Dedication: John Landers Bids Farewell to Public Service

Nicole L. Celestine — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 14:30:00 GMT

As the calendar turns to April 30, 2025, Seattle District Security and Law Enforcement Chief Jon Landers will embark on a new chapter, leaving behind a legacy of commitment, hard work and genuine care for the district he served.

Chief Joseph Dam: A pillar of hydropower and strategic infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest

Shelia Fourman — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 20:31:00 GMT

Chief Joseph Dam, located on the Columbia River in Bridgeport, Washington, stands as a monumental achievement in hydropower and infrastructure development. As the second-largest hydropower dam in the U.S., it plays a critical role in powering the Pacific Northwest and maintaining vital flood control, navigation, and environmental functions

Get to know the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District

Pentagon News — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 15:35:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Seattle District is a key federal agency responsible for providing engineering solutions to support the infrastructure, safety, and land and water conservation of the Pacific Northwest.

USACE Seattle District recommended for prestigious Army Safety and Occupational Health Star

Shelia L. Fourman, Chief, Seattle District Public Affairs — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 20:24:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Seattle District has been recommended for the coveted Army Safety and Occupational Health (SOH) Star March 18, at the district’s headquarters building.

Corps of Engineers, JBLM, celebrate new state-of-the-art Information Systems Facility

Louis R. Velasco — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 23:02:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers joined Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) leaders on Nov. 6 to celebrate the ribbon cutting ceremony for the installation's state-of-the-art Information Systems Facility. The significant upgrade supports the Network Enterprise Center's 24/7 network defense and information technology/management mission.

Annual USACE rescue efforts ensure fish survival through Chittenden Locks

Pentagon News — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 15:08:00 GMT

Visitors to Lake Washington Ship Canal and Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Seattle, on Oct. 1, saw an unusual sight: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees at the bottom of the small lock chamber using nets to catch fish trapped in the chamber while it was drained for urgent maintenance.

Army Corps algal bloom study keeps human,animal recreators safe

Pentagon News — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 22:33:00 GMT

Every summer, visitors flock to the cool shores of Rufus Woods Lake, near Chief Joseph Dam, Washington, but within the floating algal mats that appear seasonally throughout the lake, lies a hidden danger.

Innovating for the future: USACE uses sustainable building materials for JBLM barracks, enhances Army’s climate resiliency goals

Louis R. Velasco — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 16:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), U.S. Army I Corps, and Assistant Secretary of the Army leadership joined Washington State congressional representatives for an Aug. 7 groundbreaking ceremony on a first-of-its-kind barracks pilot program using sustainable building materials meant to reduce its carbon footprint. Once complete, the new barracks will improve the quality of life for 168 Soldiers at JBLM, Washington.

Scraping barnacles gives salmon a fighting chance

Nicole L. Celestine — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 18:00:00 GMT

Army Corps employees scrape barnacle buildup along the filling tunnels at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Seattle, fulfilling a federal law requirement to help improve endangered salmon’s chances of survival, by reducing their potential for injury or death.

USACE debris recovery vessel crew earns Army Risk Management Award

Nicole L. Celestine — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 20:46:00 GMT

U.S. Army Corps debris recovery vessel wins Army Risk Management Award for keeping team safety and risk management practices at the forefront of everything they do.

Architect of the Year transforms District training and knowledge sharing

Kimberly Lopes — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 21:22:00 GMT

For the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ 2023 Architect of the Year, the best part of the job is helping others reach their full potential. “It’s rewarding knowing that other people are benefiting from the services that I can provide,” said Breanna McBride, a senior architect at the Seattle District.