Mississippi Valley Division (US Army Corps of Engineers)

06/19/2026

As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, test your knowledge of USACE history with this week's trivia question from Headquarters. If you think you know the answer, tell us in the comments.

For more than 250 years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has accomplished its missions to serve the nation, its Armed Forces and its citizens. USACE’s history is America’s history.

In celebration of America's 250th, we are asking a series of questions about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers every Friday until Independence Day. Think you know the answer? Let us know in the comments! Each Monday we will provide the answer in the comments. Today's question:

The Corps of Engineers is known not only for its expertise in civil engineering but also for its long-standing drive to innovate based on research, development, and technological advancement. In the 19th century, Army Engineers built the first ever cast-iron bridge in the United States, a span designed for transportation that remains in use today. Which bridge is it?

A. Cabin John Bridge in Maryland
B. Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge in Massachusetts
C. Dunlap’s Creek Bridge in Pennsylvania
D. Eads Bridge in Missouri

06/18/2026

Congratulations MVD Hero of the Month:
Mr. Andrew Jefferson, St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

06/16/2026

Today we celebrate our 251st anniversary!

Happy Birthday to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Army Engineer Regiment. Thank you to all who have contributed to our efforts for the Nation!

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)

05/29/2026

The Recovery

As soon as the 2011 flood began to recede, the Mississippi Valley Division launched "Operation Watershed-Recovery" a comprehensive strategy to inspect, repair, and strengthen the entire Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T) system.

05/29/2026

Congratulations MVD Hero of the Month:
Ms. Kristi Hall USACE Vicksburg District

05/28/2026

Did you know that the Office of the President of the Mississippi River Commission used to be in New York City?

05/25/2026

Remembering and honoring.

Today and throughout the year take time to remember the lives lost fighting for our freedom.

05/20/2026

Fifteen years later, we continue reflecting on the Great Flood of 2011, a defining moment when the mighty Mississippi River tested the strength, resilience and reliability of the region’s flood control system.

05/20/2026

Our Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork initiative explained:

05/16/2026

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Mississippi Valley Division emphasized its commitment to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works’ "Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork" initiative at its recent Regional Governance Meeting (RGM) held at the USACE Vicksburg District, 28-30 April.

The "Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork" initiative, announced in February by the ASA(CW) Hon. Adam Telle, will enable USACE to deliver critical projects and programs more efficiently, sooner and at less cost. "This will eliminate bureaucratic delays and provide fast, clear decisions needed to save lives and empower our economy," Telle said.

During RGM, MVD Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Kimberly Peeples outlined four division objectives in support of the BINP framework, each aligned with the initiative's core priorities:
• Accelerating Project Planning, aligned with BINP's goal of maximizing the ability to deliver national infrastructure and cutting red tape: targeting the completion of feasibility studies within three years to move vital projects forward faster.
• Maximizing External Capabilities, aligned with BINP's focus on efficiency: prioritizing the use of Architect/Engineer and Design-Build contracts to reserve internal staff for inherently governmental functions.
• Consolidating Investment Strategies, aligned with BINP's emphasis on transparency, accountability and prioritization: developing long-term, strategic plans for key regional programs, including the Mississippi River and Tributaries system and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
• Optimizing Business Systems, aligned with BINP's focus on efficiency: aggressively employing modern data systems and leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance data-driven decision-making and streamline internal processes.

The Mississippi Valley Division remains committed to delivering high-quality projects, strategically utilizing non-federal partners and efficiently managing public resources to strengthen the nation's infrastructure.