The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE, also sometimes shortened to CoE) is a U.S. federal agency under the Department of Defense. It is a major Army command made up of some 36,500 civilian and military personnel.[1] Although generally associated with dams, canals and Flood control in the United States, USACE is involved in a wide range of public works throughout the world. The Corps of Engineers provides outdoor recreation opportunities to the public, and provides 24% of U.S. hydropower capacity.
The Corps' mission is to "Deliver vital public and military engineering services; partnering in peace and war to strengthen our Nation’s security, energize the economy and reduce risks from disasters".[2]
Their most visible missions include:
The Corps' vision is "Engineering solutions for our Nation’s toughest challenges".[2] During the American Civil War, the functions of the Corps of Topographical Engineers were merged into the Army Corps of Engineers.[3]