Home / Media / News Stories

  • February

    The Buffalo North Breakwater structure located at the entrance into Buffalo Harbor is maintained by the Buffalo District and is critical to the Great Lakes Navigation System. The structure serves to protect the northerly entrance into the Buffalo Harbor, the entrance into the Black Rock Canal and the downtown waterfront from powerful natural forces such as storm surges, large waves and ice.

    Investing in Infrastructure

    The Buffalo North Breakwater structure located at the entrance into Buffalo Harbor is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Buffalo District and is critical to the Great Lakes Navigation System. The structure serves to protect the northerly entrance into the Buffalo Harbor, the entrance into the Black Rock Canal and the downtown waterfront from powerful natural forces such as storm surges, large waves and ice.

  • January

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District is on a mission to fight hydrilla, an aggressive plant species that has wreaked havoc from Asia to every continent except Antarctica. “Hydrilla completely chokes out our waterways and impacts all the things we enjoy,” said Michael Greer, USACE Buffalo District project manager. “It affects water quality, the economy, businesses, hydropower and flood reduction - ultimately our health and our wallets.” “A single aquatic plant could put all of that at risk,” warned New York Senator Charles Schumer in 2017.

    Buffalo District fights invasive hydrilla on the Great Lakes

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District is on a mission to fight hydrilla, an aggressive plant species that has wreaked havoc from Asia to every continent except Antarctica. “Hydrilla completely chokes out our waterways and impacts all the things we enjoy,” said Michael Greer, USACE Buffalo District project manager. “It affects water quality, the economy, businesses, hydropower and flood reduction - ultimately our health and our wallets.” “A single aquatic plant could put all of that at risk,” warned New York Senator Charles Schumer in 2017.

  • December

    The Mount Morris Dam, situated deep in the Genesee River gorge near the northern end of Letchworth State Park in Livingston County, NY, has been very effective at reducing the risk of flooding for downstream communities since it was built in 1952. In fact, to date, the dam has prevented over $3 billion worth of flood damages. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District is responsible for maintaining the dam so that it continues to perform this valuable flood risk reduction mission.

    Innovative thinking at Mount Morris Dam saves taxpayers’ time and money

    The Mount Morris Dam, situated deep in the Genesee River gorge near the northern end of Letchworth State Park in Livingston County, NY, has been very effective at reducing the risk of flooding for downstream communities since it was built in 1952. In fact, to date, the dam has prevented over $3 billion worth of flood damages. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District is responsible for maintaining the dam so that it continues to perform this valuable flood risk reduction mission.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District biologists recently taught D’Youville College students basic wetland delineation and fish population surveys as part of two separate labs for the D’Youville BIO 189-A Great Lakes laboratory course.

    Buffalo District and D’Youville College teach students to get their hands dirty

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District biologists recently taught D’Youville College students basic wetland delineation and fish population surveys as part of two separate labs for the D’Youville BIO 189-A Great Lakes laboratory course.

  • November

    USACE, ERDC complete Walnut Beach project, new stakeholder needed to continue efforts

    The Walnut Beach Aquatic and Riparian Invasive Plant Species Control Demonstration Project was completed in September at Walnut Beach on Lake Erie in Ashtabula, Ohio. The goal of the project was to test new and improved methods for controlling invasive plants in order to validate applicability to other Great Lakes restoration projects.

  • September

    Buffalo District’s own Regulatory biologist, Peter Krakowiak participates in one of eight selected for the inaugural class of the Regulatory Strong Leaders Program (SLP), created to help develop future leaders within the Regulatory Program by providing a broad approach to effective leadership, Washington D.C., May 2019. (Photo provided by Peter Krakowiak)

    Buffalo District Regulatory biologist participates in National Strong Leaders Program

    Buffalo District’s own Regulatory biologist, Peter Krakowiak was selected for the inaugural class of the Regulatory Strong Leaders Program (SLP), created to help develop future leaders within the Regulatory Program by providing a broad approach to effective leadership.
  • Oak plantings on an island

    USACE Buffalo, Detroit Districts complete 5-year study in Menominee AOC

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Buffalo and Detroit Districts, along with Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), and Ecology and Environment, Inc. completed a - five year project from 2014 to 2019 designed to manage invasive species across four riverine islands in the Menominee River.

    The goal of the Menominee River Area of Concern (AOC) Aquatic Plant Control for Rookery Habitat Project was to reduce the abundance of invasive species, so native plant communities can thrive in the future, and protect the rookery.

  • August

    An acoustic receiver is placed in the Manistique River AOC

    USACE ERDC completes 2-year study of Common Carp in Manistique

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center recently completed an innovative 2-year, multiphase study tracking the residency of the common carp and determining if tagged carp could help assess where polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exposure areas are within the area of concern (AOC) in the Manistique River and Harbor, near Manistique, Michigan. This study was conducted because despite sediment remediation from 1995-2000 and navigational dredging in 2010, PCB concentrations in fish remain elevated.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District employees from the Planning Management team have been out in the field this summer surveying marina owners and operators from 6 harbors in Lake Ontario between Wilson Harbor, Wilson, NY and Little Sodus Bay Harbor, Fair Haven, NY, August 2019.

    Recreational Harbor Economic Benefit Surveys on Lake Ontario

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District employees from the Planning Management team have been out in the field this summer surveying marina owners and operators from 6 harbors in Lake Ontario between Wilson Harbor, Wilson, NY and Little Sodus Bay Harbor, Fair Haven, NY.

  • June

    This June marks the 50 year anniversary of a momentous survey operation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District – the dewatering of the American Falls in June 1969.

    Buffalo District recalls the dewatering of the American Falls

    This June marks the 50 year anniversary of a momentous survey operation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District – the dewatering of the American Falls in June 1969.

  • May

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District employees have been being trained for CPR, First Aid, and Naloxone (NARCAN), Buffalo, NY, May 3, 2019.

    Buffalo District Employees Train up for Safety

    In the past several months, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District employees have been being trained for CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid, and Naloxone (NARCAN).

  • March

    A team of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District leadership, including Buffalo District Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jason Toth, made a trek out to the Village of Fair Haven to meet with local officials and stakeholders to get a first-hand look at the failing steel sheet-pile on the Fair Haven west pier, Fair Haven, NY, March 19, 2019.

    Buffalo District Leadership assessment occurs at Fair Haven pier

    A team of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District leadership, including Buffalo District Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jason Toth, made a trek out to the Village of Fair Haven to meet with local officials and stakeholders to get a first-hand look at the failing steel sheet-pile on the Fair Haven west pier this past Tuesday.
  • The Mount Morris Dam is situated deep in the Genesee River gorge near the northern end of Letchworth State Park in Livingston County, NY, and Miles J. Freeman was its Chief Operator from its construction in 1952 until his retirement in 1980. Without his decades of expertise and care, the destructive power of Mother Nature would have wreaked havoc on the lives of countless Genesee Valley residents.

    Miles J. Freeman: A Lifetime of Service for the Buffalo District

    The Mount Morris Dam is situated deep in the Genesee River gorge near the northern end of Letchworth State Park in Livingston County, NY, and Miles J. Freeman was its Chief Operator from its construction in 1952 until his retirement in 1980. Without his decades of expertise and care, the destructive power of Mother Nature would have wreaked havoc on the lives of countless Genesee Valley residents.

  • February

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District celebrates National Engineers Week with cake at the District reservation in Buffalo, NY, Feb. 20, 2019.

    Buffalo District is engaging the community by celebrating Engineer’s Week

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District has kicked off a week-long celebration of National Engineers Week by participating in events promoting engineering through engaging audiences of various ages and backgrounds throughout the Buffalo, NY community.

  • Great Lakes Partners pursue Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers takes the responsibility of managing our Nation’s water resources seriously, especially when it comes to planning for the increasing magnitude and frequency of hazards that impact our coasts. That is why USACE Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, including Buffalo District, are pursuing the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency study.
  • The massive Mount Morris Dam, situated deep in the Genesee River gorge near the northern end of Letchworth State Park in Livingston County, NY, has been a shield from the destructive power of Mother Nature since its completion in 1952. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District contributes to its success through operation and maintenance of three missions areas: flood risk management, environmental stewardship, and recreation.

    Buffalo District’s Mount Morris Dam offers flood of benefits to the public

    The massive Mount Morris Dam, situated deep in the Genesee River gorge near the northern end of Letchworth State Park in Livingston County, NY, has been a shield from the destructive power of Mother Nature since its completion in 1952. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District contributes to its success through operation and maintenance of three missions areas: flood risk management, environmental stewardship, and recreation.

  • January

    Each year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deploys thousands of people to provide technical engineering expertise and promote capacity development at home and abroad as part of the federal government’s unified national response to disasters and emergencies. The Corps of Engineers also delivers critical engineering support to the joint force in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other global operations through our military and civilian workforce, as shown by over 12,000 civilians who have voluntarily deployed supporting the nation’s efforts in the Middle East. Over the past six months, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District has deployed over 25 people across the globe.

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District employees deploy around the world

    Each year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deploys thousands of people to provide technical engineering expertise and promote capacity development at home and abroad as part of the federal government’s unified national response to disasters and emergencies. The Corps of Engineers also delivers critical engineering support to the joint force in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other global operations through our military and civilian workforce, as shown by over 12,000 civilians who have voluntarily deployed supporting the nation’s efforts in the Middle East. Over the past six months, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District has deployed over 25 people across the globe. Here are some of their stories.

  • December

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District recently engaged multidisciplinary teams within our organization by holding an off-site project delivery business process stand down meeting with the goal of identifying areas to be more efficient in executing the program and accomplishing the mission, Buffalo, New York, December 18, 2018.

    USACE Buffalo District holds project delivery stand down

    Imagine you were just entrusted with a huge project and you want to deliver the best product you can; what do you do? The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District is always asking this question with every project we are entrusted with by our nation. In order to perform at our best, Buffalo District recently held an off-site project delivery business process stand down meeting.
  • Two years ago, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District began a $10 million project to restore the Braddock Bay ecosystem in Greece, NY. Erosion had washed away emergent wetlands and invasive species dominated the marshes. Today, species-rich native communities blossom with emergent aquatic meadows, and restored beach habitat are visited by a variety of shorebirds including black-bellied plover, Baird’s sandpiper, and the federally endangered piping plover.

    Buffalo District employs risk management and systems approach executing the Braddock Bay ecosystem restoration project

    Two years ago, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District began a $10 million project to restore the Braddock Bay ecosystem in Greece, NY. Erosion had washed away emergent wetlands and invasive species dominated the marshes. Today, species-rich native communities blossom with emergent aquatic meadows, and restored beach habitat are visited by a variety of shorebirds including black-bellied plover, Baird’s sandpiper, and the federally endangered piping plover.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District Regulators undertake a big outreach effort to provide consultants information about the 2015 Clean Water Rule that took effect on August 16, 2018.

    Buffalo District Regulators reach out about Clean Water Rule

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District Regulators are undertaking a big outreach effort to provide consultants information about the 2015 Clean Water Rule that took effect on August 16, 2018.