Dredging Quality Management (DQM)
Monitoring our Nation's Dredges
The Dredging Quality Management (DQM) Program is a partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the dredging industry, delivering standardized, automated monitoring for all USACE civil works and most regulatory permitted dredging projects nationwide. Managed by the DQM Support Center in Mobile District's Spatial Data Branch, the program delivers consistent, high-quality data that enables faster decision-making, stronger collaboration across districts and contractors, and integration with systems like ODESS and DIS to inform environmental stewardship and streamline reporting across contracts and districts.
Current Active Projects
What's New
Recent announcements and updates from the DQM program
Jorge Beltran promoted to DQM Certification and Quality Assurance Manager
June 15, 2026
Since joining DQM, Mr. Beltran has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and a positive attitude in his roles as hopper plant lead and acting DQM Certification and Quality Assurance Manager. We are confident that Mr. Beltran will bring the same level of excellence and enthusiasm to his new position.
Kari Brignac named DQM Program Manager
May 8, 2026
Kari Brignac brings over a decade of experience leading civil, coastal, and environmental engineering programs to her new role as DQM Program Manager. She provides strategic and operational oversight for automated dredge monitoring across coastal, deep-draft, and inland river projects, and holds an M.S. in Civil Engineering and a Florida PE license.
December 19, 2025
Effective immediately, USACE Headquarters directs mandatory implementation of the National DQM Program for all in-house and contracted dredging — every dredge and scow type, including mechanical, agitation/water-injection, and small dredges, with no exceptions. Signed by Stephen L. Hill, Director, Operations and Regulatory Programs. View the memo for benefits, implementation guidance, and points of contact.
View Memo2024
The current DQM mechanical specification has been posted to our website. It has been used on select projects nationwide, and its use is at the district's discretion when additional data is needed to document the dredging process.
View Requirements Onboard Software Retired — Data Now Flows Directly to the Cloud
2024
By the end of 2024, the DQM Onboard Software (DQM OBS) will be fully deprecated. Sensor data will transmit directly from the plant to DQM's cloud database — a designated DQM computer is no longer required, though backup requirements are unchanged until receipt is verified by the DQM Center. External users can manage backups, pipeline state data, data-gap comments, and company access at the DQM Management Site (https://retool.usace.army.mil). Contact dqm-support@usace.army.mil for direct-transmission details.
May 10, 2023
Regulatory Guidance Letter 23-01 (10 May 2023) establishes DQM as the automated monitoring technology for dredging under Department of the Army permits, rescinding and replacing RGL 08-01. If a permitted project is constructed with a dredge, DQM is generally required unless the District Engineer documents a justified exemption.
View Memo