Serving the St. Paul District since 1977 Fall 2018 | Vol. 44, No. 3

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District

This issue:Marsh Lake Ecosystem

Restoration Project milestone

Dredged material ready for unloading

Cryptic invaders of wetlands

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Contents 3 | Comments from the top 4 | A river rerouted 5 | End-of-year close-out contracts 6 | Olson honored for service in Afghanistan 7 | Cryptic invaders of wetlands 9 | Tribal Partnership Program10 | District employees recognized13 | Around the district15 | Announcements

30 years ago ...

Baldhill Dam wildlife management

“Ranger Steve Tapp puts up a waterfowl nest at the Highway 26 Wildlife Management Area on Lake Ashtabula” reads the caption to this photo, paired with a story detailing new management techniques to eliminate mammalian predators, create nest structure and collect northern pike to aid in spawning!

See this story and more like it: Crosscurrents, August 1988

Crosscurrents is an unofficial publication authorized under the provisions of AR 360-1. It is published quarterly for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District. Views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of the Army or the U.S. Army Corps

of Engineers.

Articles and photography submissions are welcome and must arrive by the 15th day of the publishing month for consideration. Submissions can be mailed or emailed. Submissions should be in Microsoft Word format for all written copy and photos should be no smaller

than a 5 x 7 at 300 dpi.

The mission of Crosscurrents is to support the commander’s internal information program for the St. Paul District and its stakeholders. Crosscurrents also serves as the commander’s

primary communication tool for accurately transmitting policies and command philosophy to the St. Paul District community and its customers.

(Cover) Kevin Denn, engineering and construction, explains proposed

modifications to the Fargo-Moorhead diversion project during

a public meeting held Sept. 13. The meeting was held in conjunction with the Minnesota Department

of Natural Resources as part of the public comment period for both agencies’ environmental studies.

Photo by: Shannon Bauer

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Address all inquiries to:Editor, Crosscurrents

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers180 Fifth Street East; Suite 700

St. Paul, MN 55101-1678(651) 290-5679 | cemvp-pa@usace.army.mil

District Commander | Col. Sam CalkinsPublic Affairs Chief | Shannon BauerCrosscurrents editor | Patrick Loch Contributing editors | George Stringham Patrick Moes Nayelli Guerrero

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Comments from the top: Investing Right and Building Strong

Team MVP,

As winter settles in, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work during both the peak navigation and construction seasons, while awarding and closing out several projects before the fiscal year came to an end. Your effort these past six months did not go unnoticed, and you may have heard as much directly from our division commander, Maj. Gen. Richard Kaiser, during his town hall visit in October.

Another transition we’re facing is that of leadership. As many of you know, Judy DesHarnais will be retiring at the end of December. While I’m sure our incoming deputy for programs and project management, Kevin Wilson, will hit the ground running, it will be a significant period of change after 17 years of Judy’s outstanding leadership.

With transitions all around us, I think it’s critical that we focus on three things: people, relationships and quality.

People – If we invest in recruiting and hiring the right people, and then retain those individuals based on a positive climate, challenging

(Background) Col. Sam Calkins, district commander, and Judy Desharnai, deputy for programs and project management, take a break between congressional visits while in Washington, D.C., Oct. 3. Photo by: BrettColeman

work and critical training, we’ll build greater capacity to do outstanding work.

Relationships – It’s critical that we develop and maintain strong relationships with our stakeholders: local governments and citizens; elected officials at the local, state and federal levels; and government agencies to include fellow Corps of Engineers districts, divisions and headquarters elements. If we invest in the right relationships, we’ll build a program that will benefit the nation and keep the district strong.

Quality – If we invest in doing excellent work consistently – providing services, completing studies and building projects that we’re proud to stamp with the Corps of Engineers’ castle – we’ll build the reputation we need to keep our employees and our stakeholders on the team. The quality of our products is ultimately what we’ll be judged on.

For the remaining six months of my tenure with the district, I plan to focus on investing in people, relationships and quality to build our capacity, program

and reputation. If we get those things right, we truly will deliver innovative solutions to our region’s toughest problems.

We’ve got a lot of important work ahead of us! The Corps of Engineers has record budgets this year and along with all the work we’ll perform in our region, we’ll be asked to help other districts with their critical missions. We’re already working to deliver projects in the Galveston, New Orleans, Vicksburg, Memphis and Rock Island Districts, and there may be the opportunity to resume work on the Fargo-Moorhead flood control project. We have no shortage of exciting and critical work to do.

Before I close this note out, I want to thank you all for the outstanding work we do day-in and day-out that continually earns recognition at the highest levels. The Chief of Engineers recognized several of our teammates during the Corps’ national awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., this August. In the previous edition of Crosscurrents we mentioned Jon Sobiech, Alex Webb and Kent Hokens as recipients of national awards – and, in this edition, we’re spotlighting Chanel Mueller and Pete Lillie!

Our team is creative, hard-working, well-supported and successful. I look forward to working with you all to keep getting better.

As always, I’m proud to be a part of the St. Paul team.

- Col. Calkins

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A river rerouted: Step 1 in the Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration Project

The St. Paul District, along with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Upper Minnesota River Watershed District, oversaw the rerouting of the Pomme de Terre River, near Ortonville, Minnesota, on Oct. 1.

After a contracting crew excavated into the Marsh Lake Dam embankment – constructed in the 1930s – the Pomme de Terre River was free to flow into its natural channel for the first time in nearly 80 years.

“This river had a lot of sediment going into Marsh Lake, making it shallow and preventing vegetative growth and blocking a migration pathway for walleye and northern pike between Lac qui Parle and the Pomme de Terre river,” said Shahin Khazrajafari, project manager. “Now that it’s rerouted – combined with us eventually being able to control Marsh Lake’s water level with a water drawdown structure– suitable habitat will be restored for native fish and migratory wild

life at Marsh Lake.”

The river restoration is one of three project features as part of the Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration Project, which aims to improve habitat in the area. The other two features include a water drawdown structure (currently under construction) and fish passage (coming soon).

Following removal of the embankment, Corps of Engineers and Minnesota DNR staff began

relocating mussels impacted by the river restoration.

The Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration Project is on-schedule to be complete in winter 2019. The Marsh Lake Dam, on the Minnesota River, was completed as part of the Lac qui Parle Flood Risk Management Project. - story by Patrick Loch

Immediately following the river reroute, staff from the Corps of Engineers and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources begin relocating mussels impacted by the river restoration. Photo by: Dan Kelner

Challenging project takes milestone step forward

The first stage of the Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration Project is completed after the Pomme de Terre River is rerouted to its original channel. Marsh Lake lies within the Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area. Video by: Emily Chavolla (click image for timelapse)

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With an end-of-fiscal-year push to award nearly $20 million in four different contracts, the St. Paul District will carry on missions that support navigability of the 9-foot channel, ensure operability of locks and dams and promote habitat restoration.

Corps Island Dredged Material Unloading projectCorps Island, which lies in Pool 3 of the Mississippi River near Diamond Bluff, Wisconsin, is a temporary placement site for dredged material removed during maintenance of the 9-foot navigation channel. The island has been in use since 1995 and holds nearly 500,000 cubic yards before needing to be transferred

End-of-year contracts initiate restoration, repair and unload projects across the districtto an upland placement site.This is the third unload project in the island’s history and a contract award ensures dredging operations will continue in 2019 without hindering navigation on the river. The work will cost nearly $7.5 million, be completed by Dubuque Barge & Fleeting Services, Co., of Dubuque, Iowa, and begin in the spring of 2019 to be finished by December 2019.

Guidewall repairs at Locks and Dams 4 and 5AGuidewalls extend either upstream or downstream the lock structure itself, guiding tows into the lock chamber and providing mooring for tows too long for a single lockage. The $5.3 million repairs at Lock and Dam 4, in Alma, Wisconsin, and Lock and Dam 5A, in Fountain City, Wisconsin, will ensure stabilization of the structures for years to come.

Kaiyuh Services, LLC, out of Anchorage, Alaska, will complete the concrete work by filling voids within the guidewall structures. This maintenance work will be

done during the winter months – therefore not impacting navigation – and is scheduled to be completed before the 2019 navigation season begins.

Conway Lake Habitat Restoration The goal of the restoration project at Conway Lake, in Pool 9 of the Mississippi River near Lansing, Iowa, is to restore lost and diminished fish and wildlife habitat within 1,170 acres of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The project area comprises several lakes and sloughs and will improve oxygen levels within the system by utilizing a variety of methods to reduce sedimentation and improve water flows.

Kaiyuh Services will complete the restoration under a $5.2 million contract, with work anticipated to be completed by fall 2021. The Corps of Engineers partnered with the Iowa and Wisconsin departments of natural resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to advance the project.

Navigation support system repairs at Lock and Dam 6Upgrades will be made to the travelling mooring bitt system at Lock and Dam 6, in Trempealeau, Wisconsin, which aids navigation vessels as they lock through the chamber. Corps staff connect the mooring bitt to the barges, and the bitt then rides on a rail system to move barges out of the lock chamber.

The $1.2 million contract was awarded to Kraemer North America, LLC, of Plain, Wisconsin, and will not impact navigation since the work will be completed during the winter. - Story by Patrick Loch

Corps Island was last unloaded in 2010.

The travelling mooring bitt system guides tows through a lock.

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Olson honored for service in Afghanistan

base but also to help the local community.”

Olson worked on contracts that served the base and fostered employment opportunities for the surrounding town. Olson fostered good relationships and trust with the local population when he helped develop a solution to supply water to local farmers.

Department of Defense Expeditionary Civilian and St. Paul District employee Jeff Olson was awarded the NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal and Commander’s Award for Civilian Service for his service to the Area Support Group Afghanistan mission at ASG-A’s Forward Operating Base Fenty in Jalalabad Oct. 11. The awards were presented by ASG Commander Col. Jacob Peterson.

Olson was assigned to ASG-A on a six-month deployment through the DOD-EC Program, which deploys personnel to support military operations. Before redeploying to the United States in October 2018, he served as an environmental engineer and contracting officer representative for Environmental Services on FOB Fenty.

A former U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran, Olson described his time in Afghanistan as a “great opportunity to work with a group of professional federal employees, and to not only make a difference in the lives of the troops and civilians working and living on

The ASG-A provides base life support services for more than 35,000 personnel throughout the Combined Joint Operations Area Afghanistan.

Those personnel include U.S. military, DOD Civilians, Contractor and Coalition Forces contributing to the NATO-led Resolute Support Train, Advise and Assist Mission. ASG-A base life support services encompass

Department of Defense Expeditionary Civilian and St. Paul District regulatory employee Jeff Olson was awarded the NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal and Commander’s Award for Civilian Service for his service to the Area Support Group Afghanistan mission at ASG-A’s Forward Operating Base Fenty in Jalalabad on Oct. 11. The awards were presented by ASG Commander Col. Jacob Peterson.

everything from law enforcement and public works to billeting, food service and quality of life.

- story and photos by Ms. Adriane Elliot (ASG-A)

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Cryptic invaders of wetlandsWhile driving through southern Wisconsin and southern and western Minnesota, note the vegetation of wetlands, lake shores and ditches. Cattails are one of the most commonly observed plant species and comprise the dominant vegetation of large acreages of wetlands. This is all well and good, right? We expect to see cattails in these habitats. But did you know that cattails were not nearly so abundant in our wetlands when the first European settlers arrived? In fact, early accounts of the Prairie Pothole Region—which includes southern and western Minnesota—mentioned bulrushes more frequently than cattails. Today cattails are the dominant vegetation in the shallow/deep marsh zone of prairie potholes. What changed?

Here is where things get a little complicated. There is a native cattail in Minnesota and Wisconsin – the broad-leaved cattail. But a non-native, invasive species of cattail – narrow-leaved cattail – has been introduced and become widespread. Some

botanical authorities think that narrow-leaved cattail is a native of Europe and was introduced to the East Coast. It prefers brackish (somewhat salty) soil/water conditions. One theory is that ditches along highways, and the associated application of road salt, created a westward corridor of favorable habitat.

Over a period of decades narrow-leaved cattail spread west all the way to Wisconsin, Minnesota and beyond. And that’s not the worst of it. Broad- and narrow-leaved cattails hybridized resulting in hybrid cattail – a “super weed.”

Disturbances such as raising water levels in wet or sedge

Narrow-leaf cattail

meadows due to impoundments or improperly culverted road crossings – or introducing excessive sediment and nutrient loads due to urban or agricultural runoff – promote expansion of cattails.

(continued on page 8)

Hybrid cattailBroad-leaf cattail

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Cryptic invaders of wetlands (cont.)watersheds of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Some have expressed a shocking theory—our native broad-leaved cattail may become an endangered species in these areas!

It was the late 1980s when I first observed narrow-leaved and hybrid cattails in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. One example is Lake Marion in Lakeville where hardstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus acutus) and river bulrush (S. fluviatilis) dominated a shallow bay of the lake. This had been the case for at least 20 years during which I made causal observations. Cattails were sparse.

Then came a summer of high water levels that left mudflats when water levels returned to normal. Cattails quickly colonized the exposed, mucky soils likely due to wind-blown seeds. Nothing surprising there. What was surprising was how hybrid cattail then spread and outcompeted established stands of robust perennials like hardstem and river bulrushes. Today, that bay is nearly all hybrid cattail. It took

about five growing seasons for this changeover.

A stronghold for the native, broad-leaved cattail still exists in northern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. The lake, forest and bog country “up north” lacks the intensive land-use practices of row-cropping and metropolitan areas. Narrow-leaved cattail is still absent altogether in many northern habitats. Whether this situation persists long-term is unknown.

As for a solution, herbicides approved for aquatic use are one option, but repeated applications are needed and results have been varied. Cutting cattails and raising water levels to drown out the cut stems can be effective, but is limited to systems with water control structures. Note that naturally passive hydrology is a goal for wetland compensatory mitigation—water control structures are avoided to the extent practicable. Thus, non-native cattails present a daunting problem for wetland restorationists.

In the near future, we’re looking to sit down with agency partners, starting with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, to come up with a comprehensive strategy to address the issue.

So now when you see cattails on your travels through Minnesota and Wisconsin you have a better appreciation of a cryptic invasion by non-native cattails.

- story by Steve Eggers

(continued from page 7)

Think of southern and western Minnesota at the time when European settlers arrived. Eighteen million acres of unbroken prairie. Deep-rooted, almost impenetrable sod built up over centuries.

But eventually nearly all of the prairie was plowed under with most of the acreage devoted to row-cropping. Annual plowing exposes the topsoil to wind and water erosion. Then came decades of fertilizer applications. Thus, the excessive sediment and nutrient loading that favors cattails.

Initially, it is common to find all three cattail species growing together. Narrow-leaved cattail invades a site that has broad-leaved cattail, the two hybridize, and then hybrid cattail becomes more and more prominent. Over time the native broad-leaved cattail is replaced by the non-native cattails. It is now difficult to find broad-leaved cattail in the Twin Cities metropolitan area or in the agricultural

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Tribal Partnership ProgramThe Corps of Engineers Tribal Partnership Program was first written into legislation in 2000. It aimed at studying water resource projects that could benefit Native American nations.

In 2016 the Water Resources Development Act, which houses the Tribal Partnership Program language, was revamped to improve cost share agreements and initiate more feasibility study requests by tribal governments. Since then, the program has led to four feasibility studies underway in Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota.

“The Tribal Partnership Program in this capacity is a relatively new tool in our district that can be used to support projects that tribes are interested in, as well as allowing us an opportunity to improve upon our relationship with tribal nations,” said Steve Clark, environmental compliance.

The St. Paul District began working on Tribal Partnership Projects in 2016 after completing site visits to learn about water resource issues affecting the

Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate in South Dakota and the Prairie Island Indian Community in Minnesota. In March 2017, Corps representatives traveled to the Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Advisory Council meeting to present and answer questions about the program to 11 tribes.

“The Tribal Partnership Program not only addresses water resource issues, it’s also an excellent opportunity to collaborate and learn from the tribes,” said Nate Campbell, program manager. “These projects, ranging from ecosystem restoration and shoreline stabilization to fish habitat restoration, are invaluable to the Corps’ relationships with tribes.”

With 17 federally recognized tribes within the civil works boundaries of the St. Paul District, tribes are important stakeholders for the Corps to partner with on studies and projects. For each project, the tribe submits a study request to the Corps. The Corps evaluates the request and initiates a cost-sharing feasibility study with the tribe to identify

potential solutions, analyze the costs, benefits and environmental impacts and develop a recommended project.

“We’re excited at the opportunity to continue looking at these projects, receiving new requests and working with our Tribes and partner agencies to improve the health and quality of water resources throughout the district,” Campbell said.

- story by Nayelli Guerrero

(Top) A fish sampling analysis is done of the Little Minnesota River, in Traverse County, Minn., April 25, as part of a Tribal Partnership Program with the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. At issue is the lack of fish migrating up the river, and through the Tribal Partnership Program the district is conducting a feasibility study to identify the cause and potential solutions.(Bottom) District staff conduct a site visit to Big Sand Lake, in Burnett County, Wis., Oct. 30, as part of a Tribal Partnership Program with the Sand Lake St. Croix Tribal Community.The Corps of Engineers will study the feasibility of implementing a shoreline stabilization project while also considering the opportunity for wild rice growth and aquatic habitat improvement. Photo by: Nathan Campbell

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Chanel Mueller, engineering and construction

Corps Climate Champion Award

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters in Washington, D.C., recently selected Deerwood, Minnesota, resident and St. Paul District employee Chanel Mueller as recipient of the Corps Climate Champion Award.

This award recognizes exceptional individuals that play a significant role in developing methods, tools and technical guidance to facilitate climate preparedness and resilience. Mueller received this award for her work writing a Corps-wide hydrologic technical manual, creating standard templates for incorporation of climate change impacts into hydrologic analyses and facilitating training seminars on the subject.

“Chanel’s technical expertise and outstanding leadership have contributed to greater understanding of climate change impacts and vulnerabilities and to the development of new guidance to support climate change adaptation planning and implementation,” said Mike Knoff, hydraulics and hydrology branch chief and Mueller’s supervisor.

Mueller is a hydraulic engineer and has been with the St. Paul District since 2009. Her role with the Corps involves hydrologic modeling, statistical hydrology and water quality projects. She is a certified agency technical review reviewer for the Hydrology, Hydraulics and Coastal community of practice and the Climate Preparedness and Resilience community of practice. Mueller is also a member of the International Joint Commission International Water Initiatives Climate Adaptation Working Group.

National Awardees

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Pete Lillie, resource management

Financial Manager of the Year

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters in Washington, D.C., recently selected Hastings, Minn., resident and St. Paul District employee Pete Lillie as recipient of the Financial Manager of the Year – District Level Award.

This award recognizes a district resource manager who has provided exemplary financial management support and services necessary to execute the Corps’ program. Lillie received this award for his outstanding leadership as district financial manager developing and implementing cost-efficient fiscal policy.

Lillie was also recognized for his voluntary deployment as a member of the St. Paul District Housing Planning and Response Team to California in response to the 2017 wildfires. Lillie directly aided more than 230 families in establishing clean and safe housing and indirectly helped more than 5,000 families find shelter as he played a critical role in one of the largest temporary housing missions in U.S. history.

“Pete is a true team player and respected fiscal authority throughout his division, and a role model for financial management professionals to both his peers and those serving under his leadership,” said Col. Sam Calkins, St. Paul District commander.

Lillie is the St. Paul District’s chief financial officer and has been with the Corps since 2012. His role with the Corps involves ensuring proper stewardship of public funds in compliance with federal law and assisting with the maintenance of balance, economy and efficiency in accomplishment of the St. Paul District mission.

National Awardees

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Employees of the month

Jennifer Leal, internal review

July

Leal demonstrates significant personal initiative, aptitude and diligence in identifying areas within the district to improve processes, provide better service and better use public funds. Her audit plans and findings have been the most extensive and useful reports the district has seen in decades. Leal is also an avid volunteer with the local Sylvan Learning Center and Minnesota Autism Society, to name a few. Her volunteerism also extends to multiple deployments to support hurricane response. – nominated by Pete Lillie and Brett Coleman

Jim Ulrick, engineering and construction

August

Ulrick is an outstanding example of doing more than is expected. He served as a mentor, teaching me the basics about the Corps of Engineers and the district. The knowledge-base he has is among the best in the district. As the common phrase goes, “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.” Everyone I work with asks how Ulrick is doing and expresses how much they appreciated his work. Ulrick, one of the most humble gentlemen I have worked with, has earned the respect of his peers. – nominated by 1st. Lt. Joe Kearney

Andrea Sterling, planning

September

Sterling is both integral and irreplaceable, supporting 45 staff members across three separate geographic locations. In her current role(s), Sterling receives dozens of requests for assistance every day encompassing a wide variety of topics, and she handles each with the same level of personal attention and care as if it were her own. She always takes time to help no matter how busy, and really is an exceptional person and staff member. I, for one, am truly glad that she is on our team. – nominated by Eric Hanson

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Around the district

Stafft at Eau Galle Recreation Area, came across this large zipper spider behind the workshop Aug. 27. It’s intricate circular web with a zig-zag pattern is thought to help attract pretty. Photo by: Ellen Scheppke

Brad LaBadie, Eau Galle Recreation Area ranger, freed this green heron after the bird entangled itself in discarded fishing line Aug. 17. Luckily the bird was easily rescued and released without injury, and now serves as an example as to why used-up fishing line should not be carelessly discarded! Photo by: Todd Traynor

Gull Lake Recreation Area staff hosted its 4th Wounded Warrior Fishing Tournament Sept. 22, providing a professional guided adventure and fish fry for nine veterans. Singing of the National Anthem and presentation of the colors kicked off the event, and were provided by the children of Jason Hauser, Cross Lake Recreation Area ranger. Photo by: Brian Turner

Cross Lake Recreation Area staff and the Wounded Warriors Guide Service hosted the third annual camping weekend for veterans from Aug. 24 to 26. Many sponsors assisted in a weekend full of events for 15 wounded warriors and their families, including fishing charters at campground reservations. Photo by: Corrine Hodapp

Members of the Minnesota Veteran’s home in Fergus Falls first visited the Orwell Dam Project for a fishing excursion Sept. 5 – they had such a good time, they had to come back out Oct. 10, when this photo was taken! John Fromuth, maintenance, said, “It was an absolute honor to have these gentlemen enjoy the park.” Fromuth is planning a veterans and disabled persons deer hunt in November. Photo by: Brad Anderson

This yearling black bear – pictured here on Oct. 3 – was taking advantage of an abundance of acorns at Pokegama Recreation Area throughout September and October. Already on his own, the bear looked healthy as winter was setting in. Photo by: Toni Huber

Twenty-one students and their teachers from the La Crescent Montessori and STEM School helped the Environmental Section staff out of La Crescent, Minnesota, plant nearly 200 potted tree seedlings along the Mississippi River on Oct. 24. The swamp white oak and bitternut hickory seedlings will provide diversity and future high-quality floodplain forest habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Photo by: Randy Urich

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Around the district

A fantastic, snowless sunrise awaited the Dredge Goetz crew Oct. 15, one day after an early-season snowfall fell in their area of operation at the foot of Lake Pepin, in Pool 4 of the Mississippi River. Photo by: Brian Krause

Pete Burke, lock and dam operator at Lock and Dam 7, near La Crescent, Minnesota. Lock staff were in the process of preparing the roller gate heaters for use this winter, which ensures the gates can be used to maintain pool control during freezing temperatures. Photo by: Patrick Loch

Judy Desharnais, the district’s deputy for programs and project management for nearly 20 years, got some well-deserved recognition while in Washington, D.C., Oct. 3. Desharnais was joined by husband, John, and Col. Sam Calkins, district commander, at the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals gala. She was one of 27 finalists nationwide nominated for the award. Photo by: Brett Coleman

Doug Blexrud (second from left) was presented a cased-flag for serving the St. Paul District as a boat operator instructor for 20 years. Dan Reburn, district motorboat coordinator (second from right), organized the presentation following Doug’s final 24-hour initial boat class in La Crosse, Wis., on Aug. 14.

District staff scoured the riverbed of the St. Croix River while monitoring mussels with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, National Park Service and St. Croix River Association Aug. 6-9. The effort undertook by a few agencies that make up the Mussel Coordination Team is part of an ongoing re-establishment plan for Higgins eye mussel populations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. (click image for a short timelapse from the “Clam Cam”)

An ominous storm over the Dredge Goetz, taken while her crew was operating near LeClaire, Iowa, Aug. 28. “I’ve been through quite a few storms in the 21 years working on the Goetz, but this one topped them,” said Brian Kruase, master. Photo by: Krause

The American Queen Steamboat Company’s American Duchess locked through Lock and Dam 9 near Lynxville, Wis., Aug. 31. The passage was captured via timelapse. Video by: Brian Sipos (click image for timelapse)

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Farewell Maj. Howell

Maj. Dwight Howell, special projects director, bid farewell to the district in October.

For his efforts, Howell was recognized by district leadership to include Col. Sam Calkins, district commander, and Maj. Patrick Sullivan, deputy commander, during an awards ceremony Oct. 11. Howell was presented the Meritorious Service Medal and the engineer castle for his accomplishments while serving the district.

During his 3 years with the Corps of Engineers, Howell built a reputation as one to take initiative and fearlessly engage in the toughest challenges. He spearheaded the Cadet District Engineer Program and partnered with local universities to help the military community find paid internships to jump-start their careers. Howell served as quality manager, knowledge manager, project manager and even deployed to the Horn of Africa to support Special Operations Command during his time with the district.

After 12 years of service as a U.S. Army officer, Howell will begin a new career later this month with Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories in Pennsylvania. Farewell Dwight!

Our environmental mission includes the conservation of cultural and natural resources – as such, Brad Perkl, district archaeologist, conducted an excavation of Corps-owned property in Stoddard, Wisconsin, from Oct. 16 to 18. The excavation was done before a small, soil-disturbing project would begin just feet from the Mississippi River in an area known to have been occupied by indigenous persons more than 1,000 years ago. Perkl was joined by Anthony Levine, who operated the sifter with a keen eye for human-made products. The soil turned up several pieces of ceramic pottery, which Perkl estimates to be 900 to 1,200 years old. Photos by: Patrick Loch

Around the district

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Luke Anderson, operations (derrick boat operator); Fountain city, Wis.Peter Burke, locks and dams (lock and dam operator); La Crescent, Minnn.Daniel De Vaney, operations (survey technician); Fountain City, Wis.Patrick Dowd, engineering and construction (civil engineer); St. Paul, Minn.Eric Dykman, locks and dams (lock and dam operator); Genoa, Wis.Matthaios Ghanim, engineering and construction (electrical engineer); St. Paul, Minn.Jeffrey Guertin, locks and dams (lock and dam operator); Minneapolis, Minn.Joseph Gurin, locks and dams (lock and dam operator); Minneapolis, Minn.Cindy Hitchcock, office of counsel (administrative assistant); St. Paul, Minn.Christopher Hrubes, locks and dams (lock and dam operator); Guttenberg, IowaMatthew Jones, planning (community planner); St. Louis, Mo.Cherie Law, resource management (staff accountant); St. Paul, Minn.Kent Limberg, locks and dams (lock and dam operator); Genoa, Wis.Jamie Mercer, operations (program analyst), Fountain City, Wis.Clarence Mrozek, locks and dams (lock and dam operator); Fountain City, Wis.Christopher Olson, locks and dams (lock and dam operator); Guttenberg, IowaElizabeth Stowell, recreation and natural resources (program analyst); Fargo, N.D.Jonathan Sundquist, locks and dams (lock and dam operator); Winona, Minn.Daniel Teigen, Dredge Goetz (deckhand); Fountain City, Wis.Eric Thiese, locks and dams (lock and dam operator); Guttenberg, IowaChristina Vasseur, engineering and construction (civil engineer); St. Paul, Minn.Richard Weitzel, locks and dams (working supervisor); La Crescent, Minn.Tammy Wick, project management (program analyst); St. Paul, Minn.

Promotions

(Background) Lock and Dam 7, near La Crescent, Minnesota, Oct. 16. Photo by: Patrick Loch

CongratulationsSue Robinson, resource management (budget officer) and Amy Rothstein, project management (program manager), were selected to serve as chiefs of resourcemanagement while Pete Lillie completes a Department of Defense fellowship. Robinson will be the Chief from October to January, and Rothstein will be the Chief from January to March.Loren Soma, engineering and construction (mechanical engineer), and his wife welcomed Mila Rose Soma, born Sept. 2.Caroline Weston, engineering and construction (structural engineer) and husband, Charles, welcomed twin girls, Layla and Elizabeth, born Sept. 7.

(Background) An early-season snow with shot from the Dredge Goetz while working near Wabasha, Minnesota, at the foot of Lake Pepin. Photo by: Brian Krause

Farewells

Daniel Delgado, regulatory (environmental protection assistant), accepted a project management position with the Albuquerque District after one year with the St. Paul District.Vivian Gales-Wilkes, office of counsel (legal assistant), transferred to the Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C., after nearly 1.5 years with the district.Kurt Heckendorf, engineering and construction (geotechnical engineer), accepted a position with the Wilmington District after starting with St. Paul in 2002.Mike Miner, real estate (appraiser), accepted a position in the St. Louis District after nearly one year with St. Paul district.Warren Obar, civilian personnel advisory center (human resources specialist), accepted a position with the Department of Interior after six years with the St. Paul District.Holly Zillmer, planning, (geographer) has set off for new adventures after 22 years with the Corps of Engineers.

| 17Fall 2018 | Volume 44, Issue 3

CROSSCURRENTS

New hires and seasonal employeesRobert Altmann III, security/law enforcement (personnel security); St. Paul, Minn.Shikhar Baral, resource management (budget analyst); St. Paul, Minn.David Bond, Dredge Goetz (deckhand); Fountain City, Wis.Menachem Felzenberg, engineering and construction (mechanical engineer); St. Paul, Minn.Mary Jo Henseler, civilian personnel advisory center (human resources specialist); St. Paul, Minn.Thomas Hopkins, human resources (labor, management & employee relations specialist); St. Paul, Minn.Bethany Hoster, planning (biologist), Rock Island, Ill.Dillan Laaker, planning (biologist); Rock Island, Ill.Cody McLaughlin, engineering and construction (civil engineer); St. Paul, Minn.Abigail Moore, engineering and construction (civil engineer); St. Paul, Minn.Shelia Oliver, planning (administrative project assistant); Rock Island, Ill.David Seidel, contracting (contract specialist); St. Paul, Minn.Christopher Settles, engineering and construction (construction control representative); Winona, Minn.Loren Soma, engineering and construction (mechanical engineer); St. Paul, Minn.Elizabeth Stowell, operations (program analyst); Fargo, NDVinai Vinlander, office of counsel (deputy district counsel); St. Paul, Minn.Shawn Voeltz, Dredge Goetz (deckhand); Fountain City, Wis.Richard Weitzel, locks and dams (working supervisor); La Crescent, Minn.Chenaoh Wright, planning (administrative & office support); St. Paul, Minn.

(Right, background) The district’s maintenance and repair section out of Fountain City, Wisconsin, stage while working on a rock weir at Lock and Dam 7, near La Crescent, Minnesota, Oct. 16. Photo by: Patrick Loch

RetirementsPaul Davison, a 10-year team member on the Dredge Goetz, retired Aug. 29 as a 2nd assistant engineer.Allan Nelson, locks and dams (head operator), retired Oct. 30 after 22 years with the Corps of Engineers.Edith Pang, engineering and construction (civil engineer), retired Sept. 29 after 32 years with the St. Paul District.

TapsJim Weyant, retired lockmaster at Lock and Dam 6, passed away Aug. 15 at the age of 82. Weyent served in the Marines Corps for three years, worked for nine years at John Deere and was employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 34 years before retiring in 1992.

Mike McGarvey, logistics chief, returned in September from a year-long deployment supporting the Corps of Engineers in Afghanistan.

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