Posted on March 11, 2024
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District recently named Vilonia native Gabriel Knight, as the 2024 Engineer of the Year.
The Engineer of the Year Award is the district’s top award given to a Department of the Army Civilian to recognize their excellence and outstanding engineering contributions to the organization’s missions.
Knight’s multiple key positions in the Little Rock District include the White River Systems Engineer for the Hydraulics and Hydrology Branch and his current position in the Engineering and Construction Branch as the Chief of the Maintenance Engineering Section, in the Operations Division.
During his time as the White River Systems Engineer, Knight was critical in the modeling, development, and implementation of the Beaver Interim Risk Reductions Measure Plan. He also oversaw unique operations conducted during the low dissolved oxygen season that support Norfork Dam and its multi-million-dollar trophy trout tailwater fishery.
While working in E&C, Knight maintained and updated the complex White River System Corps Water Management System hydraulic model including the full range of conservation, flood risk management and multiple induced surcharge operations.
He also supports the Dam Safety Periodic Assessments and Inspections and maintains supervisory maintenance engineering responsibilities for critical maintenance on the Little Rock District’s 25 water management structures and 308 miles of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System.
Knight graduated with honors from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and is currently working on a Master of Science in river science and engineering from Tulane University. He is also a registered professional engineer and a certified floodplain manager.
The Little Rock District has been serving the region since 1881. The district boundaries include Southern Missouri and most of Arkansas. The district manages $3.1 billion worth of public infrastructure to include 12 reservoirs, 13 navigation locks and dams, seven hydroelectric power plants, 146 public parks and 308 miles of navigation channel.
More information about the Little Rock District can be found on the Internet at www.swl.usace. army.mil, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/littlerockusace and on X (Twitter) at www.twitter.com/ usacelittlerock.
