Home / Media / News Stories

News Story Archive

Corps Connections

  • October

    “Civilizations such as the Maya, the Zapotec, the Incas, the Aztecs, and the Olmecs were building structures and accomplishing engineering feats that seemed — at the time — impossible by the contemporary standards of the Spaniards and other Europeans who later arrived,” Gomez began. “Their structures have not only withstood the test of time but have also heavily influenced later societies in the realm of architectural design and engineering.” Gomez asked the panel a series of questions about their thoughts and opinions related to ancient civilizations in the Americas before Spanish conquistadors arrived.

    The Roots of Architecture and Engineering in Latino and Hispanic Culture

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) held its first of two observances for National Hispanic Heritage Month at district headquarters in Galveston, Texas, Oct. 3, 2024. SWG Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Carlos M. Gomez, hosted the event to discuss the theme, “The Roots of Architecture and Engineering in Latino and Hispanic Culture.”  Gomez moderated the discussion with a panel featuring Project Engineer, Griselda Ahumada, Project Manager, Reuben A. Trevino and Program Manager, Enrique “Rick” Villagomez Jr.

  • September

    SWG Deputy Commander, Lt. Col. Darryl W. Kothmann presided over the meeting and spoke of 4th Qtr. operations, observances, and notable events.

    Galveston District Holds Quarterly Townhall Meeting, Marks Milestones

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), held its 4th Quarter, Fiscal Year 2024, Townhall meeting and marked several important milestones and observances at the district headquarters in Galveston, Texas, Sept. 20, 2024. SWG Deputy Commander, Lt. Col. Darryl W. Kothmann presided over the meeting and spoke of 4th Qtr. operations, observances, and notable events.

  • August

    Deshotels began working as a district summer hire in 1999 and began his full-time career with SWG in 2004. “I started out as a lock operator at the Colorado River Locks (CRL),” Deshotels said. “I was a lock operator for five years and got promoted to maintenance mechanic.” Deshotels worked as a maintenance mechanic there for 12 years before he transferred to the BRFG to take over the Lockmaster role.

    Meet the Brazos River Floodgates Lockmaster

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), has operated the Brazos River Floodgates since 1943. Located seven miles southwest of Freeport, Texas, the Brazos River Flood Gates (BRFG) have been instrumental in mitigating sediment deposits and aiding navigation at the intersection of the Brazos River and the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway for eight decades. The primary mission of BRFG Champions is to facilitate the safe navigation of commercial and recreation vessels through the Gulf Intracoastal Water Way (GIWW) and Brazos River interchange, which currently includes a 60-degree angle change from the West Gate and the East Gate. Jesse Deshotels has been the Brazos River Floodgates Lockmaster since 2022.

  • July

    Taira Baldauf, a hydraulic engineers for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District, stands on top of the Hollandsche IJssel storm surge barrier near Rotterdam, Netherlands. Baldauf recently spent five weeks in the Netherlands participating in the International Network for Storm Surge Barriers, or I-STORM, a knowledge sharing network of countries and entities that manage storm surge barriers.

    Hydraulic engineer learns key element in water infrastructure projects

    Hydraulic engineers specialize in the properties and movement of liquids, namely water. Their job entails making highly educated guesses on how water will interact with infrastructure like dams, bridges, and canals. However, a young U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) hydraulic engineer’s approach focuses on another—and most important—element tied to their projects, the human element.

  • June

    The district has been instrumental in hurricane and storm management and recovery efforts for more than 100 years since the initial construction of the Galveston Seawall was completed in 1904.

    Get Ready for Hurricane Season! Galveston District Holds Hurricane Prep Exercise

    The Galveston District routinely conducts hurricane preparedness exercises in efforts to continuously execute their mission should the need arise. The district has been instrumental in hurricane and storm management and recovery efforts for more than 100 years since the initial construction of the Galveston Seawall was completed in 1904.

  • May

    Because of its location along the Gulf of Mexico, Texas receives 10 times more trash on its beaches than most other Gulf states. The Galveston Island Park Board of Trustees is responsible for keeping this litter off the local beaches. This mission requires a lot of effort, and a lot of waste containers, 4,000 to be exact.

    Real Estate Team Building 'Beautifies the Bucket' for beach cleanup

    Because of its location along the Gulf of Mexico, Texas receives 10 times more trash on its beaches than most other Gulf states. The Galveston Island Park Board of Trustees is responsible for keeping this litter off the local beaches. This mission requires a lot of effort, and a lot of waste containers, 4,000 to be exact. To help spruce up the trash receptacles, the Park Board sponsors a “Beautify the Bucket” contest, where community members can decorate barrels with their own art creations. This year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), Real Estate Division wanted to join the beach beautification effort. “We decided to do it as a (in-house) real estate competition, as well as entering it there,” said Britney M. Nealon, SWG realty specialist. The Real Estate Division was split into four teams; the Jellyfish, Work Smart Not Hard, Team Cutthroat and Art and the Perception of Real(i)ty.

  • April

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), named two “Administrative Professionals of the Year” for 2024, in a ceremony at the Jadwin Building, April 23, 2024.

    SWG Honors Administrative Professionals of the Year

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), named two “Administrative Professionals of the Year” for 2024, in a ceremony at the Jadwin Building, April 23, 2024. Six administrative professionals were nominated by their offices: Mellissa Delehanty, Office of Counsel (OC), Mostafa Elsaka, Contracting, Leilani Gonzalez, Southern Area Office, Kelvin Harrison, Houston Project Office, Susan Martin, Project Management (PM-J), and Shari McDonald, Port Arthur Resident Office.

  • February

    Each year, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division (TPWD) closes crab fishing with wire mesh crab traps for ten days to give volunteers the opportunity to round up lost and abandoned traps. The closure is traditionally in late February or early March. Unattended traps “ghost fish” and kill blue crabs and other species unnecessarily and can also create a navigation hazard for boaters. According to a press release from TPWD, since the “Crab Trap Roundup” began 22 years ago, volunteers have removed 42,500 derelict traps, saving an estimated 700,000 blue crabs, a valuable natural resource. Each year at the Wallisville Lake Project, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG) personnel join the Crab Trap Roundup, while they patrol.

    Wallisville Lake Project staff clean up abandoned crab traps

    Each year, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division (TPWD) closes crab fishing with wire mesh crab traps for ten days to give volunteers the opportunity to round up lost and abandoned traps. The closure is traditionally in late February or early March. Unattended traps “ghost fish” and kill blue crabs and other species unnecessarily and can also create a navigation hazard for boaters. According to a press release from TPWD, since the “Crab Trap Roundup” began 22 years ago, volunteers have removed 42,500 derelict traps, saving an estimated 700,000 blue crabs, a valuable natural resource. Each year at the Wallisville Lake Project, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG) personnel join the Crab Trap Roundup, while they patrol.
  • A vintage postcard of the Galveston Sea Wall shows two men standing on rip rap, which is rock or other material used to protect shoreline structures against scour and water, wave, or ice erosion.

    Galveston District celebrates 144 years

    On February 25, 1880, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) established its first engineer district in Texas on an island off the Gulf Coast. One hundred forty-four years, 52 district commanders, and several major hurricanes later, the Galveston District (SWG) continues to play a key role in keeping the country’s vital waterways open and protecting coastal Texas communities.
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), hosted PROSPECT (Proponent-Sponsored Engineer Corps Training) Course 183, Formal Source Selection, at the Jadwin Building in Galveston, Texas, Feb. 13-16, 2024. Source selection is the federal government’s process for selecting contractors to perform work or provide a supply or to construct a building.

    USACE's ERDC and SWG Team Up To Provide Important Federal Acquisitions Training To Joint Audience

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), hosted PROSPECT (Proponent-Sponsored Engineer Corps Training) Course 183, Formal Source Selection, at the Jadwin Building in Galveston, Texas, Feb. 13-16, 2024. Source selection is the federal government’s process for selecting contractors to perform work or provide a supply or to construct a building. Dr. Christopher Barnett, USACE, Engineer Research & Development Center (ERDC), Business Operations Branch (BOB) chief, Vicksburg, Miss., led the team of five instructors.

  • January

    Col. Rhett Blackmon, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG) commander, gives opening remarks during USACE SWG Industry Day at Moody Gardens, Galveston, Texas, Jan. 17, 2024. Industry Day is an opportunity for SWG to engage with businesses face to face, collaborate on projects and give contractors important information about contracting with USACE. U.S. Army photo by Luke Waack.

    USACE holds Industry Day in Galveston

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG) held its latest Industry Day, Jan. 17, 2024. Industry Day is an opportunity for SWG to communicate face-to-face with small businesses the requirements for doing business with USACE.

  • December

    Santa Claus interrupts the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District's (SWG) quarterly award ceremony to congratulate the awardees and read off the names of all the employees who made this year's "nice list." SWG held its Fiscal Year 2024 First Quarter Awards Ceremony and Townhall at the Jadwin Building in Galveston, Texas, Dec. 14, 2023.

    SWG holds holiday-themed awards ceremony and townhall

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) held its Fiscal Year 2024 First Quarter Army Professional Awards Ceremony and Townhall at the Jadwin Building in Galveston, Texas, Dec. 14, 2023. More than 150 District employees attended the ceremony and townhall in person, and many more virtually.

  • November

    For the last five years, USACE Galveston District (SWG), has partnered with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department game wardens and the non-profit Lone Star Warriors Outdoors (LSWO) to offer combat veterans the chance to assist USACE in managing the deer population at the reservoirs.

    USACE Hosts Lone Star Warriors Outdoors Combat Veteran Deer Hunt

    For the last five years, USACE Galveston District (SWG) has partnered with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens and the non-profit Lone Star Warriors Outdoors (LSWO) to offer combat veterans the chance to assist USACE in managing the deer population at the reservoirs.
  • (From left) Former Wharton Mayor Domingo Montalvo, Col. Rhett Blackmon, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District commander, and distinguished representatives from the City of Wharton and USACE break ground on the Colorado River Levee Project Phase 1 during a ceremony in Wharton, Texas, November 29, 2023. The project will address Wharton’s significant flooding issues due to its proximity to the Colorado River, Caney Creek, Baughman Slough, Peach Creek, and low elevations across the region.

    SWG, City of Wharton kick off Colorado River Levee Project Phase 1

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District and the City of Wharton, Texas, celebrated the official beginning of their Colorado River Levee Project Phase 1 with a groundbreaking ceremony in Wharton, November 29, 2023.
  • This photograph was captured by Rebecca Capps, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), physical scientist and drone operator, as she flew a Skydio X2D quadcopter, a rotary wing drone, over a section of the Trinity River, Nov. 15, 2023.

    Advanced Data Section Offers SWG cutting-edge remote sensing technologies

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) team members are using new tools to complete mission essential tasks like mapping, surveying, and construction and infrastructure inspections. The Galveston District’s (SWG) Advanced Data Section is now utilizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Survey Vessels (USV) to deliver innovative solutions in data collection and analysis for projects, according to Heng-Wei (David) Tsai, P.E., Advanced Data Section chief.
  • The “Terrible T” – as it was affectionately known – was a Sturgeon-class submarine, a class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines (SSN) in service with the U.S. Navy from the 1960s until 2004. They were the “workhorses” of the Navy’s attack submarine fleet through much of the Cold War. The Sturgeon class was phased out and replaced by Los Angeles, Seawolf and Virginia class submarines.

    Better Together – USS Tautog Submariners reunite on Veterans Day

    Former crew members of the USS Tautog (SSN-639) and their families reunited on Veterans Day at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG) Jadwin Building, for their first large group meeting since the submarine was decommissioned 27 years ago.

  • October

    Carlos Gomez, Hispanic Employment Program manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG), takes a generous helping of home made salsa during the district's Hispanic Heritage Month Observance, October 5, 2023. Fellow panelist Kendell Barber looks on in surprise. The panelists presented ‘¡Caliente!: A presentation on the origins of spicy food’ as part of SWG's Hispanic Heritage Month observance. Gomez and fellow panelists taste tested a variety of homemade salsas and hot sauces provided by their SWG colleagues.

    SWG observes Hispanic Heritage Month with some heat

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) with a presentation and taste testing at the district’s headquarters, October 5, 2023. SWG’s Hispanic Employment Program Manager Carlos Gomez and group of panelists presented ‘¡Caliente!: A presentation on the origins of spicy food’ to the attending audience and those tuning in remotely via WebEx.
  • The project stretches along both sides of the Trinity River and both north and south of Interstate Highway 10 about halfway between Houston and Beaumont, Texas. Much of the Project is accessible by boat from boat launch facilities at Hugo Point Park (Gou Hole Road off FM 565 south from I-10), Trinity River Island Recreation Area (the Project Office area just south of I-10 on Lock and Dam Road from exits 806 and 807), under the high bridge over the Trinity River (accessed from the Trinity River Boat Ramp Turnaround off I-10), and a hand-launch canoe/kayak area at Cedar Hill Park (from I-10 take FM 563 north to Lake Charlotte Road west to the park).

    Wallisville Lake Project hosts 8th Annual Lone Star Warriors Outdoors Combat Injured Veteran Gator Hunt

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) hosted the 8th Annual Lone Star Warriors Outdoors Gator Hunt at its Wallisville Lake Project location, Sept. 28 to Sept. 30, 2023. Six veterans took part in the event, which USACE co-hosted in partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Chambers County Emergency Medical Services, and Lone Star Warriors Outdoors (LSWO)—a Texas-based nonprofit 501c3 organization.

  • September

    Marie Taylor (podium), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District's central evaluation unit leader, gives an overview of the district's regulatory permit process during a public outreach workshop, September 21, 2023. The Army’s Regulatory Program is one of the oldest in the U.S. federal government. Initially, it served to protect and maintain the navigable capacity of the nation’s waters. Time, changing public needs, evolving policy, case law, and new statutory mandates have changed the complexity of the program.

    SWG hosts regulatory workshop

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) hosted a workshop on their regulatory program September 21, 2023.
  • The Dept. of the Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal (formerly the Commander's Award for Civilian Service) is an honorary award presented by the U.S. Dept. of the Army to civilian employees for commendable service or achievement.

    Galveston District holds FY23 4th Quarter Army Professional Awards Ceremony

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG) held its Fiscal Year 2023, 4th Quarter Army Professional Awards Ceremony and Townhall at the Jadwin Building in Galveston, Texas, Sept. 7, 2023. More than 100 District employees attended the ceremony and townhall in person, and many more attended virtually.