Home / Media / News Stories

News Stories

  • August

    Man with child.

    From herbicides to herbivores: Harlan County’s new plan to tackle pesky plants

    Trying to control noxious weeds or suffocating invasive plant species on tens of thousands of acres of federal land is an arduous and costly task for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park rangers and natural resource specialists. Following the Kansas City District’s motto — “Do more with less” — Harlan County Project Office staff in south central Nebraska and a local partner kick-started a new program this spring that exploits the iron stomachs of ruminant mammals instead of dousing their land’s in potentially hazardous herbicides.
  • A birds nest sits in a barren tree with green trees and a blue sky in the background.

    Kansas lake records state’s second successful osprey nesting three years after the first

    Prior to 2023, Kansas had never recorded a successful osprey nesting and fledging. As more of these predatory birds were seen in the state, it was just a matter of time before history was made. Perry Lake, located in northeast Kansas, did just that when it recorded the first successful osprey nesting in the state’s history. Beginning in 2019, and over the next few years, state and federal officials at Perry Lake worked together to protect an active osprey nest from storms, rising water levels and other environmental threats. After years of trial and error, the ospreys were finally successful, and the summer of 2023 marked the state’s first-ever recorded osprey nesting and fledging.
  • Forklift on job site.

    Where the Apache’s future takes flight

    The Boeing AH-64 — better known as the “Apache” — has been the U.S. Army’s premier attack helicopter since entering service in the mid-1980s. Today, 18 U.S. allies and partners operate the iconic aircraft in missions ranging from combat to rescue. At Fort Riley, Kansas, the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is helping shape the Apache’s future, building a state-of-the-art facility designed to train the next generation of Army aviators to master one of the military’s most recognizable aircraft.
  • A brown river cuts through a city with buildings and grass on either side and two bridges crossing it.

    The city so nice they named it twice: How the Kansas Citys Levees mega project exceeded all expectations to reduce flood risk in the heartland

    Vertical construction is hard to miss. Say, a brand-new hospital or a four-story facility to house a national security and defense agency. Drive by and you are likely to notice as construction progresses skyward. But what about horizontal construction – that is, construction happening low to the ground and stretching several miles? It might not be as noticeable to passersby or be as visually impressive, but horizontal construction on a mega scale is no less of an engineering feat than its vertical counterpart. That is especially true when the construction reduces flood risk for 30,000 people and more than $10 billion in economic infrastructure, which is exactly what the Kansas Citys Levees project accomplished.
  • A man in a red shirt stands behind a brown podium and speaks to a room of people with a white wall in the background.

    Ensure, maintain and prepare: Kansas City District holds continuity of operations exercise

    It’s said that failing to plan is planning to fail. Having a plan, whether in your personal or professional life, in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency situation is sometimes easier said than done. With September being National Preparedness Month, there is no better time than the present to make a plan for the worst-case scenario. All federal agencies are required by a Presidential Policy Directive to have a continuity of operations program. These programs ensure agencies can continue to operate mission essential functions in the event normal operations are disrupted. Practicing continuity of operations is an essential part of the program, allowing agencies to prepare before a real emergency.

  • July

    Boaters in the river.

    Bigger than a pit stop: How USACE at Napoleon supports the MR340 race

    Starting at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas rivers, the Missouri American Water MR340 is one of the world's longest nonstop river races. But behind the curtain, the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has played a vital role in making sure the river is ready for racers and commercial navigators alike. This story highlights the decades-long partnership with race organizers and the unique perspective of district employees who have experienced the Missouri River both as stewards of its navigation system and as MR340 competitors.
  • Man receiving award from superior.

    “Get up, dress up and show up”: The veterans value to the USACE workforce

    National “Hire a Veteran Day” was founded in 2017 by U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Dan Caporale. Celebrated annually on July 25, it’s a subtle nudge to challenge domestic employers to tap into an already professionally trained and ethically sound subset of the American workforce. So, to emphasize the value veterans bring to the workforce, the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeks to highlight some of the veterans who made the successful transition from service uniforms to polo shirts.

  • June

    Man taking photos.

    Built by disaster, sustained by partnerships: Conducting periodic inspections of the Soldier Creek levee system

    Designed and erected after historic 1951 floods and tested by modern ones, the Soldier Creek Diversion project quietly reduces flood risk to communities in and around Topeka, Kansas. Every five years, a multidisciplinary team from the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, walks the project searching for small problems before they become big ones. This is part of an ongoing partnership with local officials that helps ensure the nearly 70-year-old infrastructure continues safeguarding lives and property for generations to come.
  • Man on ATV.

    Boots on the ground: Exploring the heartland’s best trails

    Throughout the thousands of acres of federal lands the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages, there are an abundance of trails the public can access — whether they’re looking for casual exercise or satisfying the outdoorsman within you. With recreational season in full swing and National Trails Day falling on June 6, it’s time for a deep dive into the most scenic and exhilarating paths USACE has across the Midwest.

  • April

    Contract giving a tutorial to district employees.

    “We’re replacing everything — screens, systems, all of it,” A closer look into command center and conference room renovations

    Regular meetings, presentations or briefing complex projects to high-level military and civilian leaders is foundational to the culture of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. That’s why the Kansas City District is undergoing a massive undertaking to improve technology in its emergency operations center and the plethora of conference rooms around its headquarters.