VICKSBURG, Miss. – Researchers from eight U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Districts have been selected for the 2024 session of the Engineer Research and Development Center University (ERDC-U).
Meg Zuercher, a Hydraulic Engineer with the USACE Omaha District, has been chosen as a participant for this detail program, now in its ninth year.
ERDC-U Program Lead Antisa Webb, who also serves as Chief of the Office of Research and Technology Transfer (ORTT), Technology, Knowledge and Outreach (TKO) Division and program co-sponsor, announced the 2024 selectees.
“ERDC-U facilitates collaborations between participants from USACE Divisions and Districts and mentors from relevant laboratories, engaging in six-month research projects aimed at developing technical solutions that benefit their workplaces, the Corps and the nation,” Webb said.
Andy Pannier, who served as Zuercher’s Commander at the St. Louis District, where she was working prior to recently transferring to the Omaha District, praised her selection for ERDC-U.
“As her immediate supervisor can attest, Ms. Zuercher is an exceptional hydraulic engineer that thrives when challenged. I not only think this opportunity would be invaluable for Ms. Zuercher’s career, but will also bring benefit to the District by having highly trained engineers capable of solving the most challenging engineering problems.”
While working with subject-matter experts from ERDC’s seven laboratories, participants will focus on real-world solutions and develop leadership skills to take back to their home organizations.
Zuercher serves as a Hydraulic Engineer, working remotely in Athens, Georgia for the Omaha District, where she conducts 2-D hydrodynamic and sediment modeling to evaluate the navigational impacts and restoration efforts within rivers. She primarily utilizes 2-D Adaptive Hydraulics (AdH) and HEC-RAS software for numerical modeling tasks.
Her responsibilities include evaluating and designing modifications to riverine and floodplain habitats to enhance environmental benefits. This involves planning alterations such as reforestation initiatives and adjustments to dike structures.
She has also supported the design process for the new 1200-foot lock on the Mississippi River, known as Lock and Dam 25. Her tasks in this project encompass hydraulic modeling, providing support for ship simulations, analyzing dam gate positions, and performing scour calculations.
Additionally, she has assessed the hydraulic feasibility of temperature control structures within a hydropower dam. Her exceptional performance is reflected in her most recent appraisal, where she achieved a rating of 5/5 marking her work as outstanding.
Zuercher was mentored by Dr. Burton Suedel, a Research Biologist from the Environmental Laboratory (EL), and Matt Chambers, a Research Engineer from the University of Georgia. EL, one of the four laboratories on the Vicksburg campus, was highlighted during orientation tours.
Zuercher’s project investigates the impacts of a hypothetical levee setback on the L550 levee system along the left bank of the Missouri River near Nebraska City, Nebraska. The setback involves moving the levee away from its current position to enhance floodplain conveyance, reduce water surface elevations, and create additional floodplain habitat. The study focuses on how this setback affects sediment transport continuity compared to current conditions with the existing, more confined levee.
To conduct this analysis, an existing 1D river and 2D floodplain hydrodynamic model in HEC-RAS was calibrated hydraulically and then modified to include sediment transport processes. The study builds on prior research by examining sediment transport effects introduced by the levee setback, focusing on variables such as stage, velocities, cumulative longitudinal volume change, and sediment diversion.
The project aims to provide insights into potential effects on navigation channels, flood risk management, and ecological benefits. It also contributes to a broader understanding of sediment management and supports USACE’s navigational and Engineering with Nature ® (EWN) efforts.
Key tasks completed include reviewing relevant literature and models, modifying the HEC-RAS model for sediment transport, and producing an ERDC technical report. The project also includes potential publication of an academic paper and ongoing collaboration on multidimensional benefit-cost analysis (BCA) with USACE and the University of Georgia.
The program is co-sponsored by ERDC’s Directorate of Human Capital (DHC) through an application process for the March through August session. Program funding is split between the selectees’ Division or District for choice of labor costs or travel with the other funded by ERDC.
Upon completion of ERDC-U, Zuercher, along with the seven other selectees, will attend a graduation ceremony on September 10 at the Vicksburg, Mississippi, campus. During the ceremony, Zuercher will present her extensive research efforts and results from her project titled “Modeling Sediment Transport in a Missouri River Proposed L550 Levee Setback.”
Applications will open in October for the 2025 ERDC-U session. For information on ERDC-U and applications, visit: https://wiki.erdc.dren.mil/ERDC_University