The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), through the Engineer Research and Development Center, invites proposals for a project to conduct a comprehensive uncertainty analysis for new outflow rating equations associated with a critical water control structure on Lake Superior. The primary focus of this funding opportunity is to enhance the accuracy and reliability of discharge measurements fundamental to the effective management of the Great Lakes system under the Lake Superior Regulation Plan.
Current operational procedures for the structure's gates include partially open settings not accounted for in historical rating equations. New rating equations are under development by a team at the University of Michigan using advanced physical and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. A key requirement for a successful proposal is a well-defined plan for the awardee to work collaboratively and integrate efforts with the existing University of Michigan modeling team. The principal outcome will be a quantified uncertainty band for discharge rates corresponding to various gate openings and water levels.
Depending on availability of funding, USACE may award the following optional work: development and calibration of a high-fidelity hydrodynamic model of the St. Marys River built using the Delft3D FM suite. The scope of this model shall be the entire St. Marys River from Point Iroquois on Lake Superior to the outlet of the river near Detour Village on Lake Huron, including the North Channel of Lake Huron to Little Current Ontario but excluding connections to Georgian Bay. The model will be fully three-dimensional, focus on the St. Marys Rapids, and be able to incorporate the rating equations and uncertainty analysis proposed above.
This opportunity is restricted to non-federal partners of the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU). Eligible applicants include other miscellaneous entities. Religious organizations are entitled to compete on equal footing with secular organizations for Federal financial assistance as described in E.O. 13798, "Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty."
Disclosures of current and pending support made in an application may render an applicant ineligible for funding. Prior to award and throughout the period of performance, the Engineer Research and Development Center may continue to request updated continuing and pending support information, which will be reviewed and may result in discontinuation of funding.
Task 1 (Base): Conduct a comprehensive uncertainty analysis for new outflow rating equations. The uncertainty analysis must use the publicly available Large Lake Statistical Water Balance Model so that the uncertainty values are consistent with already operational uncertainty models for all other components of the Great Lakes water balance. This task requires a 12-month performance period so the results can be used in an upcoming study.
Task 2 (Optional): Development and calibration of a high-fidelity hydrodynamic model of the St. Marys River using the Delft3D FM suite. The United States Government will provide water level and velocity data to calibrate the model as well as computational resources. Delft3D FM must be used, as the United States Government and partners at Environment Climate Change Canada both have access to this modeling suite.
Successful projects will deliver technically sound uncertainty metrics that can be immediately integrated into USACE operational models, contributing to improved ecological outcomes and more effective water resource management, as well as the ability to provide scopes of work for the additional tasks should they be funded.
Applicants must apply through Grants.gov. The application site is a work in progress; applicants should visit www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates.
Grantor: Phoebe V. Fuller
Phone: 601-634-3793
Email: phoebe.v.fuller@usace.army.mil
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Submission Deadline
Jul 6, 2026
Project Duration
12 Months
Collaboration
Multi-institutional
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