Photo By Frances Candelaria | An excavator and loader move large rocks to a barge for transport to the Bay Island...... read more read more
When different sections within the District collaborate, they can effectively address intricate and multifaceted challenges like flood risk mitigation. Recently, Operations Division teamed up with Emergency Management by supporting a PL 84-99 levee repair project that involved placing rip-rap along a stretch of the Mississippi River near Lock and Dam 17 where damage had occurred.
Contracts are often used for levee repairs. However, the repairs needed for this project were outside the scope of work for most contractors.
“We typically engage OD when there’s an urgent need—such as a repair that can’t wait without increasing flood risk—or when we need a cost-effective solution within a limited timeline,” said Sarah Jones, chief of Emergency Management at the Rock Island District. “OD understands the Emergency Management mission and the importance it plays in reducing flood risks for local communities. Their responsiveness and dedication truly make a difference."
The rip-rap placed by the Operations crew was RR5, a type of rock with a max weight of 440 pounds per rock which can help protect against water erosion and stabilize soil.
Since the start of the project, “we’ve placed 70,000 tons of rip-rap total,” explained Matt Thurman, Mississippi River Project Maintenance Chief. “We are averaging 1,500 tons per day.”
The joint effort between Operations Division and Emergency Management highlights the strength found in inter-district coordination when addressing critical repairs such as replacing rip-rap. This showcases the high efficiency of Emergency Management as well as Operations Division’s dedicated performance.
“Placing rip-rap under water with no visibility is a very difficult task,” Thurman said. “The crane operators have done an outstanding job with this.”
The rip-rap replacement is just one of many examples of how Operations Division’s highly trained team supports the diverse USACE Rock Island District missions.
| Date Taken: | 07.16.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 07.17.2025 07:01 |
| Story ID: | 542923 |
| Location: | NEW BOSTON, IOWA, US |
| Web Views: | 9 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Teaming up for Critical Levee Repairs, by Frances Candelaria, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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