Rock Island District / Media / News Releases

  • Corps awards nearly $32 million contract for mechanical dredging on the Mississippi River

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, awarded a $31.7 million contract to LS Marine, Inc., of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, to conduct mechanical dredging operations in support of channel maintenance within the Mississippi River, April 17. Additional dredging of the Upper Mississippi River in the Rock Island District may also be covered.

  • High water causes debris warning, closures at Saylorville Lake

    Following recent rainfall in the Des Moines River watershed and subsequent rising water levels at Saylorville Lake, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has implemented closures in specific areas for public safety. The closed areas include Cherry Glen Lower Boat Ramp, the lower parking lot at Lakeview High Water Boat Ramp, Oak Grove Beach Access, and NW Jester Park Drive. These closures will remain in effect until lake levels recede, and the areas can be cleaned and safely reopened.

  • Corps invites public to learn more about Sabula Lakes project

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, invites the public to attend an open house May 14 to learn more about an ecosystem restoration project planned in the Sabula Lakes on the Mississippi River. The event will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Izaak Walton League located at 60190 US-52 in Sabula, Iowa.

  • USACE to host two events to gather public input on habitat rehabilitation projects on the Mississippi River

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are planning two habitat rehabilitation and enhancement projects on the Mississippi River in Pools 12 and 13 and are looking for public input. Opportunities for the public to learn more and provide feedback will be held in two locations to highlight the different projects. April 30, Clinton, Iowa - Phase II of the Lower Pool 13 Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project will be featured during a public open house from 5-7 p.m. at Eagle Point Lodge located at 4101 N 3rd Street in Clinton, Iowa. Lands included in the Lower Pool 13 Phase II project are part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and consist of backwater lakes, sloughs, flowing channels, and impounded water residing over historically flooded islands and remnant islands. May 1, Dubuque, Iowa - The Pool 12 Forestry Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project will be featured during a public open house from 5-7 p.m. at the EB Lyons Interpretive Center located at 8991 Bellevue Heights Rd. in Dubuque, Iowa. The project area covers approximately 26 miles of Pool 12 in the Upper Mississippi River, from Lock and Dam 12 near Bellevue, Iowa, to Lock and Dam 11 in Dubuque, Iowa.

  • FREE boating safety courses to be offered at Mississippi River Project Office

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is offering free boating safety education classes at the Mississippi River Project Office near Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, during the month of April. Classes, which are open to anyone 11 or older, will be offered April 13, 20, and 27 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • FREE boating safety courses to be offered at Illinois Waterway Visitor Center

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is offering free boating safety education classes at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center located at 950 N. 27th Rd. in Ottawa, Illinois, April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, and August 17. Each class runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is open to anyone 11 years of age or older. Completion of only one course is necessary for certification.

  • Portion of Volksweg Trail at Lake Red Rock closed for repairs

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has temporarily closed a small section of the Volksweg Trail at Lake Red Rock for repairs. The closure impacts the trail located near the pond along 198th Place and extends towards Howell Station Campground. Work is anticipated to last approximately two weeks.

  • Corps to host public open house to gather input on Lower Pool 13 Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is hosting a public open house April 30 to discuss plans for Phase II of an ecosystem restoration project in Lower Pool 13 of the Mississippi River. The event is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. at Eagle Point Lodge located at 4101 N 3rd Street in Clinton, Iowa.

  • Water levels at Saylorville Lake to be temporarily raised for data collection

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is temporarily raising water levels at Saylorville Lake to 1.8 feet above the normal conservation pool to conduct bathymetric data collection. Due to an extended drought and low inflows to the lake, it could take two to three weeks to reach the target level. The current release from Saylorville Lake is 250 cubic feet per second and there are no plans to reduce the outflow further to reach the required lake level.

  • Work to cause temporary closure of roadway over Saylorville Dam beginning March 11

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the temporary closure of the road across the Saylorville Lake Dam beginning March 11. The closure, which is necessary for preventative maintenance to the Saylorville Lake Dam, is expected to last until March 14 and will be in place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Lakeview High Water Ramp and the Bob Shetler Recreation Area will also be closed during this time, but the Lakeview Main Ramp will remain open. For more information, contact the Saylorville Lake project office at 515-276-4656.