The devastating Mississippi River Flood of 1927 inundated the Delta, destroying thousands of homes and businesses in its path. In the aftermath, Congress established the Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg— laying the foundation for today’ s ERDC.
globe. In the past five years alone, 52 new patents have been issued, proof that ERDC’ s innovation continues to grow with each new generation of researchers.
And ERDC’ s work impacts many people who don’ t even realize it. Its coastal models prepare communities for hurricanes. Its high-performance computing centers simulate scenarios too complex for the human mind to grasp. That’ s the kind of forward-thinking science that ensures our nation is ready for whatever tomorrow may bring.
ERDC’ s story always comes back to Vicksburg. From the flood that nearly erased us, to the global conflicts that drew our organization into a bigger mission, to the discoveries shaping the future, ERDC has always been about service. It’ s about the scientists who grew up fishing the Mississippi River and now study how to protect our coastlines. It’ s about the engineers who design tools that keep Soldiers
During World War II, ERDC’ s predecessor, the Waterways Experiment Station, developed innovative airfield matting systems that allowed aircraft to land anywhere, even without a built-out runway. These portable, interlocking mats enabled rapid runway construction across remote battlefields— advancements that continue to influence modern military engineering today.
18 • THE VICKSBURG POST & VICKSBURG-WARREN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE