Official podcast of the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers. The podcast gives listeners an inside look at the projects and
programs the district is working on, as well as feature employees who strive
to deliver these projects and programs on behalf of the American People.
Building the Donnelly: USACE’s Newest Hopper Dredge (Full Video)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ newest hopper dredge, the Donnelly, is taking shape at Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s Allanton Shipyard in Panama City, Florida. Built to replace the nearly 60-year-old dredge McFarland, the Donnelly is a ready reserve vessel designed to carry forward the Corps’ navigation mission and help keep America’s shipping channels open and safe.
This video goes inside the build, where steel, sparks and shipyard craftsmanship are bringing the Donnelly to life. Through interviews with the ship’s captain, chief engineer and a USACE Marine Design Center quality assurance representative, we explore the design, mission and modern capabilities of a vessel built to support dredging operations alongside private industry when extra capacity is needed.
Watch the Donnelly take shape, and see how this modern ship reflects America's ingenuity and commitment to the infrastructure that safeguards our nation’s waterways.
(U.S. Army video by Daniel S. Marciniak)
14 Apr 2025
CORPS TALK: After Helene - Restoring Claytor Lake Together (E11, S04)
As Hurricane Helene swept through the southeastern United States in late September 2025, it left behind widespread destruction, particularly in Southwest Virginia. Two of the hardest-hit areas in Virginia were the City of Damascus and Claytor Lake in Dublin due to extreme flooding of both the New and Holston Rivers.
Hosts James Walker and LTC Tony Funkhouser traveled to Claytor Lake after the Debris Removal operation to sit down with the key leaders from the local, state, and federal levels who spearheaded the massive recovery operation and recorded this season finale episode of the Corps Talk podcast.
Watch or listen to this episode to discover how disaster response transitions from local public safety and first responders to state elements such as the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and ultimately to federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and FEMA. The guests explain the timeline of operations, from initial emergency assessments to long-term environmental recovery, and the logistical challenges associated with such large-scale debris removal operations.
Featured Guests:
Aaron Jones – PRT Mission Manager, USACE - Baltimore District
Dave Dobyns – Board of Directors, FOCL
Ben Porter – Emergency Management Specialist, USACE - Norfolk District
Brody Havens – Park Manager, Claytor Lake State Park
Whether you're simply curious about how emergency response works, passionate about environmental restoration, or interested in how real-world interagency disaster response operations might affect you and your family during a large-scale emergency, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at a community-driven recovery effort that you won't want to miss.
4 Sept 2024
CORPS TALK: Bridging Futures - Facilitating Purpose (E10, S04)
In this insightful episode, James Walker and Maj. Funkhouser sit down with Saniyah Roberts-Dove, a recent student intern at the Norfolk District, to discuss the impact of the ongoing partnership between the Advancing Minorities' Interest in Engineering (AMIE) program and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Saniyah shares her personal experiences, highlighting how this collaboration is shaping future leaders and providing invaluable opportunities for students, universities, the Corps, and the broader community.
Tune in to learn more about how this partnership is creating a bridge between academia and practical engineering experience, supporting the development of a new generation of engineers who are ready to take on real-life challenges of tomorrow.
For more information on the AMIE partnership, visit AMIE Partnerships.
For more information on how you can potentially intern at USACE Norfolk District, reach out to Sharika Wannemacher, the Norfolk District Workforce Coordinator: sharika.s.wannemacher@usace.army.mil
The video version of this podcast can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CowsAkmUeRI
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5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 24 / 100
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YouTube
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Engagement
68
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