Philadelphia District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

11/02/2026

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 November 4th through November 6th.

The trail closure is necessary for the Army Corps' contractor to complete work on Summit Bridge.

The path closure will be in the vicinity of Summit Bridge and will prevent continuous travel from Chesapeake City to Lums Pond trailheads.

This temporary closure is part of the ongoing painting and steel repair contract for Summit Bridge. Construction activities in this area will present an overhead hazard for pedestrians along the trail.

View full release here: https://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Article/4639101/army-corps-announces-temporary-closure-of-portion-of-cd-canal-trail/

11/01/2026

⏰ TWO WEEKS LEFT!

Have a great photo from one of our recreation sites? Submit it by November 15 at 11:59pm for a chance to be featured in our 2027 calendar. 📸

Enter here: https://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Media/Northern-Area-Photo-Contest/

10/30/2026

News Release: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District announced full directional closures will be implemented along St. Georges Bridge in New Castle County, DE to enable routine maintenance.

Currently, the full directional closures are expected to be implemented during the following estimated timeframes (subject to some change based on weather and other factors):

- Full southbound directional closure from on/about Nov 9, 2026, until late November/early December
- Full northbound directional closure starting in late November/early December to mid-December

The Army Corps’ contractor will accommodate bicycles and emergency vehicles over the bridge during the closures. Updates will be reported to the Delaware Department of Transportation.

View full release here: http://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Article/4633175/army-corps-announces-upcoming-lane-closures-along-st-georges-bridge/

10/29/2026

Fall looks pretty good on our recreation areas. 🍁📸

These photos from previous contests are just a glimpse of what visitors have captured while exploring our sites.

Now we want to see fall through YOUR lens!

📅 Enter the Northern Area Photo Contest by 11:59pm on Nov. 15:

10/27/2026

We’re proud to support EPA Region 3 and work with our contractor to treat and remove 68,000 cubic yards of slag from a site in Port Richmond in Philadelphia. We are focused on safely and efficiently completing this important project!

10/27/2026

Innovation is taking flight at the former DuPont Chambers Works FUSRAP site.

Our project team is testing a drone-mounted gamma detector to help locate buried radiological contamination at one of the nation’s most complex cleanup sites.

The system, called GemiNaI, was designed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Berkeley Lab. It is being tested over steep slopes, deep excavations and heavily vegetated areas where handheld instruments are difficult to use safely and effectively.

The effort connects emerging technology with an enduring mission: advancing environmental cleanup while keeping safety at the forefront.

Take a closer look 👉 https://dvidshub.net/r/zme9ky

10/27/2026

10/26/2026

Honoring the Past, Building the Future. As the McFarland assumes pierside standby, the next era of USACE dredging is already taking shape with the construction of the Dredge Donnelly. Innovation continues on the Delaware.

10/23/2026

Watch Secured. Duty Done.

Today at Fort Mifflin, we sounded the final whistle for the Dredge McFarland’s operational career. Thank you to the many mariners, engineers, and partners who kept her sailing. Fair winds and following seas as she stands by at Fort Mifflin.

💡 Did you know: The McFarland has dredged more than 100 million cubic yards of sediment during her service…that’s about 8-10 million dump trucks and is enough material to fill Lincoln Financial Field more than 45 times!

http://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Article/4632259/usace-philadelphia-district-honors-historic-dredge-mcfarland/

10/21/2026

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Mr. D. Lee Forsgren, will join other senior leaders from USACE Headquarters, the North Atlantic Division, and the Philadelphia District for a farewell celebration for the Dredge McFarland, this Friday, October 23.

The event will include some marine and Army traditions including:
🔹 Retiring the Colors: The ceremonial lowering and presentation of the USACE distinguishing flag to members of the McFarland namesake family.
🔹 Securing the Watch: Rung ashore one by one, her dedicated crew will be formally relieved of their operational duties.
🔹 The Final Whistle: A ceremonial salute sounding across the Delaware River in tribute to nearly 60 years of service.

Following the ceremony, the McFarland will transition to pierside standby at Fort Mifflin ahead of her formal decommissioning in 2027.