Promoting Sustainability of Sensitive SAV Habitats with Innovative Dredging and Placement Practices

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) habitats provide a variety of important ecosystem services, including fish habitat, nutrient sequestration, and protection from currents and waves. Some research suggests that open-water sediment placement of dredge material harms SAV habitats in the short-term, while other research suggests long term protective benefits that results in an increased and denser area […]

Identification of Opportunities for Beneficial Use of Dredged Material Within Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway

This project will identify opportunities for beneficial use of dredged material (BUDM) within the GA and SC portions of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW).  The project will develop a BUDM site selection tool that could be expanded further to evaluate and identify BUDM opportunities along all of the AIWW or other intracoastal waterways. Project Contact […]

River Engineer: The Next Generation – An Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) River Class

This project will develop an EWN® River Class on current best practices and novel ways to design and align waterways.  The class will introduce EWN® principles to traditional river engineering design that will re-invigorate potamology, or the study of rivers. Success in training the next generation of river engineers will lead to increased capacity for […]

Application of Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) for Improved Wildfire-Altered Soil Performance

Intense wildfires have detrimental effects on soil that can significantly accelerate erosion and lead to sedimentation and flooding downstream of the wildfires. This project will investigate the effectiveness of MICP treatment, which uses microorganisms to improve soil characteristics, to revitalize and strengthen soils subjected to wildfire. The outcomes of this study will inform cost-effective, large-scale […]

Coastal Carbon Capture via Beach Nourishment: Pilot Deployment of Olivine Sands as a Tool for Mitigating Climate Change

This project will track and study the movement of olivine sands placed as part of a beach nourishment project, as well as the carbon capture capability of the olivine sands. Olivine sands have great potential to capture and remove carbon dioxide and could be an innovative tool for addressing both climate change through carbon capture […]

Quantifying Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) Benefits Associated with Large-Scale Levee Setback Projects

This project will develop improved levee setback engineering guidance, standards, and priorities for levee setback projects. The guidance will link specific project features to engineering, ecological, economic, and social benefits, in order to encourage and facilitate implementation of future levee setbacks. Research Fact Sheet Multi-Agency Kickoff Workshop 27 June 2022. The workshop brought together potential collaborators […]

Fluvial Inland Watershed Guidance Through Experimental Watersheds

This project will develop fluvial inland watershed guidance for studying, analyzing, developing, and implementing watershed-based sediment management practices for successful implementation of water resource projects that incorporate the concepts of EWN®. This guidance will benefit the USACE and stream restoration and sediment management community. Project Contact Products

Large Wood Nourishment Pilot Project at Libby Dam for Improved Kootenai River Functionality

This project will create a permanent large wood nourishment management program at Libby Dam, and provide a template for initiating similar programs in other locations or by other USACE Districts and agencies. The project will demonstrate that natural, process-based approaches can result in more cost-effective solutions compared to more traditional hard engineering approaches. Project Contacts […]

Developing Streamlined Regional Design and Permitting for Bank Stabilization Projects Incorporating EWN® Principles

This project will create regionalized guidance and tools for landowners to incorporate EWN® methods in riverbank stabilization project in the Missouri Ozarks. The project will also establish a streamlined permit process with all three USACE Districts that regulate activities in the Missouri Ozarks. Finally, the project will hold a training session to educate local landowners […]

Wood Revetment Design Calculator for HEC-RAS

This project will create a wood revetment design tool that will be integrated into HEC-RAS to better assess Natural and Nature Based Features (NNBF) in river engineering and stream restoration designs. The tool will provide engineers with a consistent and reliable process for assessing the stability of wood revetment structures, which will make the review […]