Speakers
Benjamin Craig Burnham
Supervisory Civil Engineer
Navigation Branch
Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineering Research and Development Center
Ben Burnham is a Supervisory Civil Engineer forthe Navigation Branch for the Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory of ERDC in Vicksburg, MSwhere theyutilize physical and numericalmodeling, eNavigation tools, and ship tow simulatorsto research issues with locks, dams, ports, and harborswithin the United States. Ben has been with the Corps of Engineers for 13years; 6 years with the Nashville District out of Chattanooga, TN as a Navigation Maintenance Engineer and 7years at ERDCin Vicksburg, MS. Ben received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering at Mississippi State University in 2008and 2019 respectively.
Ben manages a Branch comprised of 31 Engineer and Scientists, Engineering Technicians, and support staff with an annual $12 -$15M portfolio of projects. The bulk of the projects within the Branch consists of physical models which are simply scaled down models of locks and dams, either the entire project or just components of the project, to better understand water interactionamong the structures. The Branch also operates and maintains and large eNavigation program used by lock operators across the entire USACE. The Lock Operations Management Application (LOMA) program is a vessel tracking system, similar to air traffic control, that communicates with lock operators about approaching customers. Lastly, the Branch has three ship tow simulators that use real time pilot feedback on proposed changes to federal channels within the inland and coastal waterways.
Ben lives in Madison, MS where in his leisure time, enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with his wife of 13years, and 6-year-oldand 3-year-old sons.