Philadelphia District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Today we celebrate our 251st anniversary!

George Washington appointed the first engineer officers of the Army on June 16, 1775, during the American Revolution, and engineers have served in combat in all subsequent American wars. The Army established the Corps of Engineers as a separate, permanent branch on March 16, 1802, and gave the engineers responsibility for founding and operating the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Since then the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has responded to changing defense requirements and played an integral part in the development of the country. Happy birthday to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Army Engineer Regiment, and thank you to all who have contributed to our efforts for the Nation.

If you are near one of our recreation sites, today we are also waiving day use fees at more than 2,800 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide: https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/News-Release-Article-View/Article/4512066/us-army-corps-of-engineers-waives-day-use-fees-at-recreation-areas-in-observanc/

Shown: File photo of a towboat navigating the Ohio River at sunrise in Pittsburgh. Navigation is the US Army Corps of Engineers’ earliest Civil Works mission, dating to Federal laws in 1824 authorizing and funding the USACE to improve safety on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and several ports. (Photo by Michel Sauret)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District recently completed a fast-tracked dredging project at the U.S. Coast Guard Boat Basin in Philadelphia, removing approximately 73,000 cubic yards of sediment to restore safe navigation depths. Completed ahead of the America 250 events, the project helps ensure reliable access for U.S. Coast Guard, police, and fire department vessels supporting maritime security operations in the Delaware Bay region.

June is National Safety Month, a time to emphasize the importance of safe practices and the role they play in protecting our workforce, contractors, and the communities we serve.

Today, we are proud to recognize Project Engineer Mandeep Talwar for receiving the Silver Safety Excellence Decal in recognition of his outstanding leadership and commitment to safety.

We are grateful for his dedication and for entire Corps team who make safety part of everything they do.

News Release: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District has awarded a $15.8 million contract to Norfolk Dredging Company to conduct periodic nourishment of the Townsends Inlet to Cape May Inlet (Avalon & Stone Harbor) dune and beachfill project.

View full news release here: http://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Portals/39/docs/PAO/Townsends-To-Cape-May-Contract-Award-News-Release-June-2026-Final.docx

News Release: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District has awarded a contract to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company of Houston, TX for $19.5 million to conduct periodic nourishment of the Great Egg Harbor and Peck Beach, (Ocean City), NJ Coastal Storm Risk Management project.

The project is designed to reduce the risk of storm damage to infrastructure.
Sand placement activities will take place from 12th Street to the Seaview Road groin area. Construction is expected to begin in early July 2026.

Read full news release here: http://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Article/4504976/army-corps-awards-contract-for-ocean-city-beachfill-project/

May 31 is National Dam Safety Awareness Day, commemorating the failure of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 1889, resulting in the loss of life of 2,220 people.

While dams provide significant benefits, we all should be aware of the flooding risks of living downstream of dams.

Our teams work hard to keep dams safe, and partnership is key to keeping people out of harm’s way. You can help by knowing your flooding risk and planning ahead! If you live near or downstream of a dam, you can take actions in advance of and during a dam-related flood.

To learn more about dams near you and possible flooding, visit the National Inventory of Dams, https://nid.sec.usace.army.mil/.

News Release: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District announced portions of the Michael N. Castle Trail along the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal will be closed from June 1st to June 4th. The closure will enable the Army Corps’ contractor to make repairs to the ramp over the dredging pipe that is temporarily in place and to adjust barriers.

📌Read the full news release here:
https://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Article/4502863/army-corps-announces-temporary-trail-closure-along-chesapeake-delaware-canal/

Our team recently visited the Welsbach & General Gas Mantle Superfund Site in the cities of Camden and Gloucester City, New Jersey, where ongoing remediation efforts continue to make a lasting impact on public health and safety.

Since 2001, USACE has supported EPA efforts to remediate the site, which has involved investigating soils and structures throughout the site; excavating and removing more than hundreds of thousands of tons of radiologically contaminated soil; setting up temporary water treatment facilities to remediate ground water and surface water; and restoring site features.

📸 Kat Tracey

Recently, the USACE Dive team conducted an inspection of the Dredge McFarland. The dive included a visual inspection of the McFarland’s propellers while additional onboard maintenance and steel repair work was performed separately.

The USACE dive team conducts underwater inspections of a variety of USACE and military assets and facilities worldwide!

📸 Kat Tracey