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. The Seattle District works on a wide range of projects across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Work spans across multiple mission areas, including water resource management, military construction, environmental restoration, and disaster response. Through engineering expertise and leadership, the Seattle District helps shape the region’s development and resilience, ensuring long-term sustainability for communities, industries, and natural ecosystems.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was established in 1775, with the Seattle District forming in the early 1900s to provide engineering services to the Pacific Northwest. Over the decades, the district has become integral to the region’s growth, particularly in addressing its water management needs. The Seattle District’s mission is centered on the Corps’ national priorities of supporting national defense, providing public safety, and fostering environmental stewardship.
"The Water Management Section is responsible for reservoir, lock and dam regulation and water quality monitoring," said David Doll, Chief, Water Management Section.
“Our engineers and scientists monitor weather conditions, rivers and reservoirs and determine the appropriate volume of water to release from dams and to store in reservoirs with emphasis on protecting lives and preventing economic damages. Water Management creates and updates modeling tools and participates in regional and international coordination of reservoir systems in the Pacific Northwest, coordinating investigations and studies with other government agencies, non-federal agencies, and a vast array of water users.”
In western Washington, Mud Mountain Dam on the White River and Howard Hanson Dam on the Green River provide flood risk management benefits. On the other side of the state, near Bridgeport, Washington, Chief Joseph Dam is the second-largest hydropower producing dam in the U.S. Outside of Washington, Libby Dam in western Montana and Albeni Falls Dam in northern Idaho also provide flood risk management benefits.
In addition to flood control and hydropower, the district also plays a significant role in ensuring safe navigation on the region's waterways. By operating and maintaining locks and dams, the Seattle District helps facilitate the movement of goods to the docks and warehouses of Seattle’s busy freshwater harbor.
Built in 1917, the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Hiram M. Chittenden Locks connect Lake Washington, Lake Union and Salmon Bay to the Puget Sound. The locks move boats between from the water levels of the lakes to the sea (and vice versa), maintaining freshwater levels and preventing saltwater intrusion. On average, 16,181 vessels pass through the two navigational locks every year. The facility includes a dam, gated spillway, fish ladder, gardens and visitors center.
The Seattle District has long been committed to environmental stewardship, with USACE managing one of the largest federal environmental missions: restoring degraded ecosystems; constructing sustainable facilities; regulating waterways; managing natural resources; and, cleaning up contaminated sites from past military activities.
As part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Seattle District supports national defense by providing construction and engineering services to military installations across the region. This includes designing and building facilities for the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Navy, as well as managing environmental programs to ensure compliance with regulations. The district’s role is essential to maintaining and enhancing the operational readiness of U.S. military forces in the Pacific Northwest.
The Seattle District plays a key role in providing engineering and construction support for military installations across the region. It oversees the design and construction of facilities for Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) and other Department of Defense installations. These projects include upgrading training facilities, building new barracks, and improving energy efficiency on military bases.
In addition to military construction, the district is actively involved in disaster response and recovery efforts. Whenever natural disasters like earthquakes, wildfires, or severe storms strike the Pacific Northwest, the Corps provides engineering support, emergency repairs, and logistical assistance. The Seattle District has assisted with levee repairs after flooding, debris removal after landslides, and infrastructure stabilization following earthquakes.
The Seattle District is also involved in a wide range of civil works projects, which support urban development and community needs. These projects include building and maintaining public infrastructure such as flood control systems. With population growth and urban expansion in the region, the district plays a key role in ensuring that infrastructure keeps pace with development while minimizing environmental impacts and improving quality of life.
Seattle District is an essential entity that helps shape the future of the Pacific Northwest. From our work in water resources management and military construction to our role in ecosystem restoration and disaster response, the district is at the forefront of addressing the region’s most pressing engineering challenges. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and collaboration, the Seattle District is committed to ensuring the safety and resilience of communities and ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest for years to come.