Rock Island, Ill. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Project announces they will be offering free tours of Locks and Dam #15 on Saturday, Sunday and Monday this Labor Day Holiday Weekend. These tours will be offered at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and will each last one hour. These will be the last public Locks and Dam tours for the summer season. Visitors on these guided tours will learn about the history of Locks and Dam #15, the Government Bridge and how they both work while walking around the lock.
Participants must wear shoes with enclosed toes and backs, tennis shoes are preferred. Purses, bags, cameras and pictures are not allowed on the tour but will be allowed in the Visitor Center before and after the tours. Walking is required. Pre-registration is also recommended as the group size is limited and tours sometimes fill fast. Tours will begin and end at the Mississippi River Visitor Center.
If you do not have time to attend tours then just stop by for a visit. The Mississippi River Visitor Center gives you a great view of the locking process at Locks and Dam #15. A picnic area, restroom facilities, observation deck and an indoor theater are all available for public use. The Visitor Center is located on the west end of Arsenal Island in Rock Island, IL and will be open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. through Labor Day.
The facility may be accessed through the Moline entrance. All persons over the age of 16 must carry a photo ID in order to enter the island. All vehicles are subject to random search and participants should allow 15 minutes extra to ensure proper arrival time. Appropriate ID is required.
Contact the ranger staff at (309) 794-5338 to make a tour reservation or for any additional questions.
Release no. 15-058