Corps Releases 2026 Work Plan

On April 7, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its FY26 Work Plan, allocating funds already appropriated by Congress through the Energy and Water Development bill.

The plan provides $3.17 billion for construction across all Corps programs, with inland waterways construction receiving 12.5 percent of that total.

Nearly $396.8 million is included for inland waterways construction projects, with more than $99.2 million coming from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund. Waterways Council Inc. noted that, “Although the funding level is strong, it is still $26 million short of the full $125 million collected in FY25 through the diesel fuel tax for the [Inland Waterways Trust Fund].”

Among inland waterways projects, Montgomery Lock on the Upper Ohio River will receive $183.83 million, including $45.96 million from the IWTF, to issue Options 1, 2 and 4 of the contract. Chickamauga Lock will receive $213 million, including $53.25 million from the IWTF, to award the option for the approach walls and the decommissioning contract. The Tennessee-Tombigbee and Black Warrior and Tombigbee rivers deepening study will receive $2.9 million in investigations funding to continue the feasibility study.

For operations and maintenance, MKARNS will receive $63.95 million, the Illinois River $54.56 million and the Kaskaskia River $6.85 million.

See the full FY26 Work Plan here: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16021coll6/id/2575/rec/4