Engineer Research and Development Center News

From concept to creation: ERDC Fabrication Shops power innovation

Mary Margaret Edney, Public Affairs Chief — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 19:45:48 GMT

ERDC’s Fabrication Shops serve as a unique capability within USACE, providing the Corps with the ability to quickly design, build or repair specialized mechanisms needed to accomplish the mission. Comprised of the Machine Shop, Model Shop and Welding Shop, the team of nearly 30 craftsmen works closely with engineers and project teams to fabricate everything from hydraulic models to field repairs.

Advanced Scour Collaboration Ensures Critical Infrastructure Stability

Kaley Webb, public affairs specialist — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:15:57 GMT

Collaboration between the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New Orleans District is a critical step in ensuring the stability of vital infrastructure. ERDC is assisting the district in inspecting the dewatered bays for voids beneath the Old River Low Sill Structure, located about 25 miles south of Vidalia, Louisiana, as part of the Old River Control Complex.

Camera, sensors don’t blink as nor’easter unleashes on the Outer Banks

Pentagon News — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 17:41:56 GMT

Recently, a strong nor’easter took aim at the Outer Banks in North Carolina and sitting right in the middle of its path was ERDC's Field Research Facility (FRF) known for its coastal engineering expertise and world-class research capabilities.

ERDC researchers conduct water assessment at USAG Bavaria-Garmisch in Germany

Justus Reed, Public Affairs Specialist — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 16:15:54 GMT

Ensuring safe, reliable drinking water is critical to protecting Soldier health and maintaining mission readiness at U.S. military facilities worldwide. To support that objective, three researchers from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) Environmental Laboratory (EL) recently traveled to a U.S. military base in Germany to evaluate water quality, resilience and treatment needs.

ERDC partners with industry to advance fuel-efficient water-from-air capabilities

Sarah Clark, public affairs specialist — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) recently signed two Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) with industry partners to accelerate the development of next-generation, fuel-efficient atmospheric water extraction systems.

ERDC and USACE New York District partner on New York Harbor field testing

Justus Reed, Public Affairs Specialist — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 16:28:21 GMT

Four U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) laboratories, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District (NAN), recently joined forces to conduct a series of anchor penetration-depth field tests at Stapleton Anchorage in the New York Harbor.

Rover technology helps USACE keep tabs on aging infrastructure, dredging operations

Tim Reeves and Chris Kieffer, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 13:50:30 GMT

To help U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) districts perform aquatic infrastructure inspections in a safe, cost-effective manner and with higher quality, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is testing the use of a commercially available underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

ERDC enhances HAB detections through interactive, real-time dashboard

Sophia Espinosa, Public Affairs Specialist — Mon, 05 May 2025 15:07:43 GMT

A team from the the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is making strides to combat harmful algal blooms (HABs) through its innovative Depth Resolved Algal Bloom Mapping (DRABM) initiative. By creating an interactive, real-time dashboard that visualizes subsurface water quality data, ERDC is transforming how HABs are detected and managed, helping to protect public health, support local economies and enhance flood risk management operations.

With enhanced software, ERDC helps Army boat pilots train for the real thing

By Tim Reeves, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Recently, Soldiers with the 74th Multi-Role Bridge Company at Fort Hood, Texas, spent three days working with the team at the U.S. Army Watercraft and Ship Simulator, part of ERDC’s Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, to put upgraded simulation software through its paces.

ERDC’s Environmental Lab publishes first-of-its-kind National Ordinary High Water Mark manual

Justus Reed, Public Affairs Specialist — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:42:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Environmental Laboratory (EL) recently published a groundbreaking technical guide geared toward identifying Ordinary High Water Marks (OHWM) across the nation.

Innovative Bioreactor Technology for Treating Industrial Residues

Mary Bradley Warnock, ORTT — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 20:10:26 GMT

The “Method for Treating Reducible Compound Residues Using Iron-Containing Bioreactor” provides a sustainable solution for managing industrial waste by utilizing iron’s unique properties in bioreactors. Filed in September 2017 and granted in September 2024, the patent was developed by two researchers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Acoustic Camera Systems and Methods for Large-Scale Flow Analysis in Turbid Field Environments receives patent

Mary Bradley Warnock, ORTT — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:55:06 GMT

The Acoustic Camera Systems and Methods for Large-Scale Flow Analysis in Turbid Field Environments is a breakthrough technology developed at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) to revolutionize how researchers and engineers monitor fluid motion in turbid waters where traditional optical methods face limitations due to visibility.

Modular Bathymetry Systems and Methods: A Revolutionary Approach to Underwater Mapping

Mary Bradley Warnock, ORTT — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:00:00 GMT

The recently patented Modular Bathymetry Systems and Methods, developed by researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), offers a groundbreaking solution for underwater terrain mapping.

Combined USACE, ERDC teams seek to wipe out aquatic nuisance

Crystal Maynard, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 21:44:54 GMT

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists hydrilla – or water thyme – as the “world’s worst invasive aquatic plant,” and one specific strain of hydrilla is drawing the attention of federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). Connecticut River hydrilla has proven resistant to traditional control efforts and is threatening to take over New England’s Connecticut River.

Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis model version 8.0 released

Carol Coleman, public affairs specialist — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL) recently announced the release of version 8.0 of the Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA) model.

Environmental Lab combats HABs with UV light and 3D-printed structures

Jared Eastman, public affairs specialist — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 14:37:34 GMT

Researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC) Environmental Laboratory are testing a new, ultraviolet light-based treatment technology to treat Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) without introducing chemicals that may have undesirable secondary effects.

FUNWAVE Model is a Feasible Solution for Vessel Wake Issues

Crystal Maynard, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 20:20:00 GMT

FUNWAVE, a numerical wave model that simulates ocean surface wave propagation in shallow and intermediate water was developed and updated by ERDC and released in 1998. It can be used to model complex coastal processes, such as tsunami waves, coastal inundation, wave propagation and surf zone-scale optical properties.

ERDC’s Environmental Laboratory’s graphene research leads to a collaboration with NASA

Justus Reed, Public Affairs Specialist — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 20:51:00 GMT

Scientists and engineers from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC) Environmental Laboratory (EL) are conducting research that could lead to sustaining and advancing technology more efficiently and at a lower cost, both on Earth and in space.

Understanding Global Hydrology

Justus Reed, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 21:07:00 GMT

Scientists with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL) are exploring potential opportunities by utilizing a collaboration between ERDC, NASA, U.S. Air Force, and other DOD agencies in the development of Global Hydro Intelligence (GHI).

Dwindling capacity at Tuttle Creek Reservoir calls for an urgent and innovative solution

By Carol C. Coleman, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 20:27:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is no stranger to sediment build-up issues. The organization is responsible for maintaining and managing thousands of miles of inland and intracoastal waterways, channels, ports and harbors with a dredging budget of more than $1.7 billion in fiscal year 2023 alone. Presently, USACE researchers are taking on a slightly different challenge and investigating new methods to diminish the accumulation of sediment in lakes and reservoirs caused by dams.