Cascadia earthquake response exercise
A multidisciplinary team of engineers from the Walla Walla District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, performs an inspection of Blue River Dam, operated by the Corps’ Portland District, June 15 during a regional Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake response exercise. The team was flown by helicopter from Walla Walla to Portland District’s Cougar and Blue River dams, located about 38 miles east of Eugene, Oregon, to inspect the structures as part of the exercise. In the event of a real Cascadia megathrust quake, the Walla Walla-based team would travel to Portland District’s area of operations, if needed, to assist with infrastructure assessments in the aftermath. Shown from left: Bryan Mason, senior structural engineer; Phil Auth, senior mechanical engineer; and Alex Hammond, dam safety program manager, all members of the Corps’ Walla Walla District.