USACE Vicksburg District Mat Sinking Unit forges ahead with revetment mission

VICKSBURG, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) kicked off revetment season on the Mississippi River, Wednesday, following a delay to make critical repairs to the mooring barge. 

The floating plant’s annual season usually begins in late-August or September; however, the need for major repairs to the failed structure became apparent last summer during regular maintenance.  

“My sincerest gratitude goes out to the entire crew of our Mat Sinking Unit for their ability to be flexible and adjust,” said Col. Christopher Klein, USACE Vicksburg District commander. 

The Mat Sinking Unit places hundreds of thousands of articulated concrete mats, also known as revetment, along the Mississippi River to protect flood control works, prevent riverbank erosion, and provide navigable waterways for commercial transportation. The unit’s work spans the jurisdictions of the Memphis, Vicksburg, and New Orleans districts and more than 1,500 river miles. 

Operations Chief Julie Vignes emphasized that the revetment mission is crucial to ensure reliable, navigable waterways.  “Laying mat is vital to keeping the river on a consistent path,” Vignes said. “If we can’t complete our mission, erosion can change the shape of the river over time and make it more difficult for commercial vessels to transport their cargo. An enormous amount of trade relies on the Mississippi River.”

Revetment Section Chief John Mark Henderson noted that the recent revetment season delay was necessary to mitigate risk and help ensure crew safety. He also commended the crew for their commitment to pushing forward with the mission. “We appreciate the patience of the crew in this delay. Their work is crucial to keeping the river navigable and it is a great service to this nation.” 
The USACE Vicksburg District is engineering solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges. The Vicksburg District encompasses a 68,000-square-mile area across portions of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana, that holds nine major river basins and incorporates approximately 460 miles of mainline Mississippi River levees. The Vicksburg District is engaged in hundreds of projects and employs approximately 1,100 personnel.