District Digest News Stories

Corps in the Community: The Corps speaks at JOY Ministries

Nashville District Public Affairs
Published Nov. 10, 2021
Updated: Nov. 10, 2021
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Branen explains the Nashville District Hydropower Rehabilitation Program map to members of the Just Older Youth senior group at St. Philips Catholic Church in Franklin, TN.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Branen explains the Nashville District Hydropower Rehabilitation Program map to members of the Just Older Youth senior group at St. Philips Catholic Church in Franklin, TN.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Water Management Section Chief Anthony Rodino and Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Branen speaks with the Just Older Youth Ministries Group at the St. Philip Catholic Church in Franklin, TN about the Nashville District water management projects.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Water Management Section Chief Anthony Rodino and Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Branen speaks with the Just Older Youth Ministries Group at the St. Philip Catholic Church in Franklin, TN about the Nashville District water management projects.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Branen meets with members of the Just Older Youth senior group at St. Philip Catholic Church in Franklin, TN to discuss the Corps' water management program and how Franklin could potentially be impacted by a wet winter.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Branen meets with members of the Just Older Youth senior group at St. Philip Catholic Church in Franklin, TN to discuss the Corps' water management program and how Franklin could potentially be impacted by a wet winter.

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (Nov. 10, 2021) –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Nathan Branen and Water Management Section Chief Anthony Rodino spoke with members of the Just Older Youth Ministries Group senior activities group about water management and flood prevention at the Philips Catholic Church in Franklin, Tennessee.

The JOY senior group hosts a monthly meeting where someone from the community comes to speak with the seniors about educational and important information, they may not have access to otherwise. In honor of Veteran’s Day, JOY asked the Corps to come speak.

“We like to have someone come out from the military every year, so we get a chance to thank them for their service and speak with them face to face,” said JOY member George Tutaj.

Branen and Rodino took turns explaining the rich history of the Corps within the United States, how the Corps helps the community through water management, and how a flash could potentially affect those living in the Nashville and Franklin areas.

“We have about 760 employees, 4 of which are active-duty military. We have over 1100 miles of navigable waterways, which means up to 10% of this country’s navigable water is just within the Nashville District.” Branen shared with the group.

A few of the seniors were concerned with what might happen if we had a recurrence of the 2010 Nashville flood. Rodino, with the help of maps and charts, showed the group helpful data that was collected, and all the precautionary measures the Corps takes daily to maintain proper water levels at the dams.

“A huge factor that affected the Nashville flood was where the rain fell, and how much rain fell in such a short period of time,” Rodino explained to the group during the question-and-answer portion of the engagement.

Some of the attendees shared things they had read or heard about the Corps and how the 2010 flood devastated the Nashville District, despite the Corps releasing water from certain dams along the Cumberland River and not others.

“It’s important we come out into the community and answer any questions people might have about things like the 2010 flood. It’s good we get to show them the numbers and the maps so they can see for themselves and understand just what dams hold water on the Cumberland and which ones don’t have the ability to,” said Branen.

Many of the seniors shared their personal experiences at Corps locations around middle Tennessee. Some learned for the first time just how many locks and dams there are in our region of USACE. JOY members also learned about the involvement USACE had in erecting many of our country’s famous monuments.

“Here at USACE, our mission is to solve the nation’s most challenging engineering questions. The Corps has a history of building some of this county’s most memorable sites and monuments, like the Panama Canal, The Kennedy Space Center, The Pentagon, and our nation’s capital in Washington, D.C.” explained Branen.

Some group members asked questions about job opportunities their children or grandchildren might be able to apply for at USACE. Branen emphasized the advantages people in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and former military have when applying for positions with the Corps.

“It’s nice to have the Corps here with us so close to Veteran’s Day. A lot of us didn’t know the Army was involved with the lakes and dams around Tennessee, or about the job opportunities the Corps offers, so it was good to hear all this information directly from your colonel.” Said Tutaj.

(The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps)