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  • Corps of Engineers repairing its southern Vessel Yard Pier

    DULUTH, Minn., – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin to repair its southern Vessel Yard Pier beginning the week of Aug. 23, 2021. Repairs will last through Oct. 31, 2021 and resume in the Spring of 2022. The repairs should be complete no later than Sept. 9, 2022, taking place weekdays 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. “Area home and business owners can expect some noise during demolition and construction, including construction vehicle traffic,” said Project Engineer Monica Anderson.

  • Soo Locks Visitor Center now requires masks

    SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is requiring masks to enter the Soo Locks Visitor Center effective Aug. 13, 2021. Per Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Department of Defense (DoD) requirements the Visitor Center requires masks covering the nose and mouth for all visitors. Corps of Engineers officials also ask guests to help maintain a safe environment by practicing social distancing with those outside their group and not to enter the building if they are feeling ill.

  • Corps of Engineers debuts video series

    DETROIT- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases a new Great Lakes water level video series today. ‘On the Level’ will provide monthly information and updates about the Great Lakes’ water levels and forecasts from Detroit District Hydraulics and Hydrology experts. “Our team is always looking for new ways to share information about the Great Lakes water levels and we are really looking forward to adding the ‘On the Level’ video series to our repertoire,” said district Great Lakes Watershed Hydrology Chief Keith Kompoltowicz. “We plan to share a wide variety of material and we hope folks will look forward to them every month.”

  • Great Lakes water levels below recent years record high levels

    DETROIT- Even with a return to wetter conditions in late June and July, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers officials expect Great Lakes water levels to remain below 2019 and 2020 levels - when many record highs were set across the lakes. Late spring and summer are typically when the lakes reach seasonal peaks before beginning seasonal declines in the late summer or early fall. This year, seasonal rises leading up to peak levels were less than average on all the lakes. This is especially true for Lake Michigan-Huron, which experienced its peak monthly mean level for the year in January. This has only occurred three other times (1931, 1958 and 1987) in the coordinated water level period of record (1918-2020).

  • Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center now requires masks

    DULUTH, Minn., – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is requiring masks to enter the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center in Canal Park effective Aug. 5, 2021. Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and Defense Department guidance the Visitor Center requires masks covering the nose and mouth for all visitors. Corps of Engineers officials also ask guests to help maintain a safe environment by practicing social distancing with those outside their group and not to enter the building if they are feeling ill.

  • Revised: Corps of Engineers begin 2021 Duluth-Superior Harbor maintenance dredging, Minnesota Point beach nourishment

    DULUTH, Minn., – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is set to begin 2021 maintenance dredging and Minnesota Point beach nourishment the week of Aug. 1, 2021. Cleanup of material placed during 2020 continues. “The contractor may begin mobilizing their equipment as early as July 26 but are more likely to start the week of August 1,” said Duluth Area Office Construction and Survey Chief Corey Weston. The Corps of Engineers awarded the 2021 maintenance dredging contract July 14, 2021 to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, based Roen Salvage Company. The Sturgeon Bay company will dredge 40,000 cubic yards (cy) of material.

  • Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center reopens

    DULUTH, Minn., – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reopening the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center in Canal Park 10:00 a.m. July 1. The Detroit District’s Duluth Area Office is opening the Visitor Center to the public after closing for over a year to due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Masks are required inside the building for guests who are not fully vaccinated. Guests should help maintain a safe environment by practicing social distancing with those outside their group and are asked not to enter the building if they are not feeling well.

  • City, Corps of Engineers explain Minnesota Point Beach cleanup plan

    DULUTH, Minn. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and City of Duluth have a plan to remove debris placed on Minnesota Point during 2020 beach nourishment. “Safety is a top priority for the corps of engineers,” said Corey Weston, Chief of Construction and Survey, at the Corps of Engineers, Duluth Area Office. “We take it very seriously and have from the beginning demonstrated our commitment to the city and community to resolve this issue.” Last fall, after placing dredged material for beach nourishment on Minnesota Point, fragments of decades-old aluminum cans were found on the beach. The Corps of Engineers took responsibility for placing the aluminum fragments and have been working non-stop with the City on a plan to remove them.

  • President’s FY 22 budget includes $595 million for USACE Detroit District

    DETROIT - The President’s Budget for fiscal year 2022 includes $6.793 billion in discretionary funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works program, which is the highest annual budget ever proposed for the Army Corps. This includes approximately $595 million set aside for Detroit District projects, including $480 million for the New Lock at the Soo Locks facility in Sault St. Marie, Mich. The Civil Works budget funds the operations and maintenance program, including Great Lakes federal shipping channels and navigation structures within the Detroit District’s area of responsibility across Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This includes funding for the Soo Locks, in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., which is a critical infrastructure project for the nation. “The Detroit Districts budget reflects a strong commitment to the Great Lakes and our region,” said Detroit District Commander Lt. Col. Scott Katalenich. “We stand ready to deliver the program and continue improving the region's infrastructure. Detroit’s robust mission promotes economic growth, quality of life, environmental health and national security.”

  • Entry period open for Detroit District annual photo contest

    DETROIT- The Detroit District invites photographers to enter its 6th annual photo contest featuring U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites across the Great Lakes. The top 12 photographs highlighting Detroit District Great Lakes projects such as the Soo Locks, Duluth Ship Canal, piers, breakwaters or federal channels and harbors will earn a spot in the 2022 downloadable calendar. The entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. June 6, with winners determined by social media vote. The Soo Locks Visitors Center Association will award the top three photographers a plaque featuring their photo “The Detroit District team is looking forward to seeing the photographs submitted this year,” said District Commander Lt. Col. Scott Katalenich. “In addition to capturing the Great Lakes region’s beauty, participants always show us fascinating views of projects and waterways the Corps of Engineers build and maintain.”