U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District

09/14/2026

Camaraderie, fellowship, and outdoor tradition.

This past weekend, we partnered with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to host our annual Wounded Warriors and Veterans Dove Hunt at the Cooper River Rediversion Project.

With more than 90 acres of prime wildlife management fields, the CRRP offered the perfect backdrop for veterans to swap stories, enjoy the outdoors, and showcase their marksmanship.

Thank you to SCDNR for the continued partnership, and thank you to our nation's heroes for your service!

09/12/2026

Precision in every measurement paves the way for lasting coastal resilience. Derek Thorn, a geographer with the Charleston District, conducted topographic surveys near Brittlebank Park and the Ashley River bridges in Charleston to record critical elevation data.

Using geodetic benchmark markers to achieve accuracy within a tenth of an inch, these surveys establish where the proposed 10-foot NAVD88 perimeter storm surge barrier will stand.

First launched in 2018, the Battery Extension project—also known as the Charleston Peninsula project—is engineered to reduce flood risks to residents, protect vital transportation corridors, and prevent severe economic damages during major storm surge events across the low-lying downtown peninsula.

City of Charleston, SC Government

09/10/2026

A resilient coastline is the first line of defense for our communities.

Yesterday, Charleston District Commander Lt. Col. Todd Mainwaring joined Surfside Beach Mayor Robert Krouse, Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark Kruea, North Myrtle Beach Mayor JO Baldwin, III, and partners from Horry County to cut the ribbon on the completed Grand Strand Renourishment Project.

This major coastal storm risk management effort engineered vital protective berms and restored sand along critical reaches of the Grand Strand coastline. The engineered beach profile acts as a natural buffer, absorbing wave energy to protect essential public infrastructure, commercial properties, and residential neighborhoods from severe storm surge, while preserving the shoreline that powers the regional economy.

Successful coastal resilience requires dedicated teamwork. We appreciate the continued collaboration and partnership with Town of Surfside Beach, Myrtle Beach City Government, City of North Myrtle Beach and Horry County Government in safeguarding South Carolina's coast for years to come.

08/31/2026

08/27/2026

Keeping channels deep and traffic moving! Maintenance dredging is officially kicking off in the lower Charleston Harbor.

Operations begin this month and are scheduled for completion by next fall. Mariners are urged to exercise caution and monitor VHF communications while dredge vessels are operating.

As one of the nation's 17 strategic ports and the fourth-busiest container port on the East Coast, maintaining these waterways keeps both national defense and local commerce sailing strong around Charleston.

08/24/2026

Happy National Hydropower Day!

Did you know the Cooper River Rediversion Project in St. Stephen does a whole lot more than just generate electricity?

While it is busy powering over 40,000 Lowcountry homes with energy, its primary mission is actually rediversion. By reducing sediment flow into the Charleston Harbor, this USACE project saves taxpayers over $36 million every year in dredging costs!

On top of that, our state-of-the-art fish lift helps local fish migrate safely up the Santee River system.

Saving the harbor, helping the fish, and powering 40,000 homes.

Not a bad day at the office.

08/19/2026

BIG NEWS! The Georgetown Harbor maintenance dredging project is officially complete!

After a 2-month, $3.5 million operation, we’ve restored safe and reliable channel depths in Georgetown’s vital federal navigation channels. Our contractor, Southern Dredging, removed over 561,000 cubic yards of sand and silt—enough to fill a line of dump trucks stretching from Georgetown to Charlotte!

This project successfully clears critical navigation hazards, ensuring safe passage for both commercial and recreational boaters. It marks the first major dredging in the inner harbor since 2008 and is a huge step forward for the region's economic prosperity and the Georgetown Port Master Plan.

We’re proud to have completed this work while protecting local wildlife, including sea turtles and sturgeon, in compliance with all environmental standards.

08/18/2026

Smooth Sailing on a Historic Final Voyage!

Today, the historic USS Daniel Webster (SSBN-626 / MTS-626) departed the Joint Base Lindsey Graham Weapons Station on her final transit to be dismantled. Making this safe departure possible was a true team effort behind the scenes by your USACE Charleston District survey and construction teams!

While we are often known for high-profile projects like beach renourishments, vital harbor maintenance is what keeps our nation’s maritime history—and naval assets—moving safely.

To pave the way, our specialized survey team identified a restrictive shoal (shallow area) blocking the channel's clearance.

Utilizing those highly accurate survey coordinates, our Construction Office and Civil Works branch quickly dredged the area to provide the precise under-keel clearance required for the massive ship to be towed out safely.

Did You Know?
Commissioned in 1964 as a Lafayette-class ballistic missile submarine, the USS Daniel Webster served our nation throughout the Cold War, completing 77 strategic deterrent patrols.

Her history is deeply tied to Charleston, having departed on her very first deterrent patrol right here in September 1964.

After decommissioning in 1990, she was converted into a Moored Training Ship (MTS-626), training generations of Navy nuclear operators right here in South Carolina.

We are incredibly proud of our team's expertise in making this final, historic tow a flawless success. Fair winds and following seas, Daniel Webster!

08/17/2026

Great news, Grand Strand — your beaches are officially renourished and fully reopened!

As of this weekend, we have completed this vital coastal storm risk management project, placing over 1.5 million cubic yards of sand across our coastline to widen our shorelines and reinforce our defenses.

Over the course of the project, crews placed more than 1.55 million cubic yards of sand across nearly 28 miles of coastline:

• North Myrtle Beach: Nearly 675,000 cubic yards across 8.29 miles (Completed Jan. 31)
• Myrtle Beach: 275,000 cubic yards across 11.94 miles (Completed July 3)
• Surfside Beach & Garden City: Over 600,000 cubic yards along 7.7 miles (Completed Aug. 15)

To put this in perspective, moving this much sand would require approximately 155,000 dump trucks. Lined up bumper-to-bumper, they would stretch all the way from Charleston, SC, to New York City!

While these newly widened beaches are perfect for grabbing a beach chair and soaking up the sun, they serve a much greater purpose. The beach you enjoy is our first line of defense against Mother Nature, protecting our coastal communities, supporting our local economy, and keeping the Grand Strand strong for years to come.

All sections are now 100% open to the public. Come on down and enjoy these beautiful, wider beaches!

07/28/2026

starts with planning. We were excited to welcome the South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston to our planning and response exercise today.

Efforts like this help to ensure that plans are coordinated when the community needs us most.