Rock Island District / Media / News Releases

  • Unstable Ice on Coralville Reservoir

    Iowa City, IA - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is warning individuals to be careful on frozen lakes. Due to heavy precipitation during the month of December, the Coralville Lake level is currently more than 10 feet above the normal elevation for this time of year. This high water level during the winter is extremely unusual and brings with it some very real hidden dangers.

  • Saylorville Lake Ice Warning

    Johnston Iowa - The majority of lakes and rivers within Iowa have seen unusually high water for this time of year. Saylorville Lake peaked at nearly 30 feet above normal on December 22 and has been falling about a foot per day since. With cold winter temperatures closing in, ice will be forming on the lake. As the pool continues to fall, ice shelves and extremely slippery shorelines exist. If an ice shelf formed, there is nothing supporting the ice underneath. Use extreme caution along the shoreline and do not go out onto the ice.

  • Illinois Waterway Visitor Center Reopens

    OTTAWA, Ill. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District announces the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center located at Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois, has reopened to visitors after high water restricted access to the building last week.

  • Corps continues to fight Mississippi River flooding, crest moving south from Cairo

    VICKSBURG, MISS., January 4, 2016 – Almost 300 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel from throughout the Mississippi Valley Division are continuing to combat flooding from high Mississippi River levels as the river crested January 3 at 56 feet on the Cairo gage. Public safety is the Corps number one priority, and as record-breaking river levels recede on the upper Mississippi and its tributaries, flood fighters remain vigilant around the clock to rapidly respond to trouble spots.

  • Historic Clock Tower and Eagle Watch Tours

    Rock Island, IL - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Project announces that the Visitor Center at Locks and Dam #15 is inviting guests to participate in Historic Clock Tower and Eagle Watching Tours. Learn about the Historic Clock Tower building as you climb the stairs to the top. Waiting there is a spectacular view of the Mississippi River where you will have the opportunity to see Bald Eagles who visit our area during the cold winter months.

  • Illinois Waterway Visitor Center Announces Temporary Closure

    Ottawa, Ill. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has temporarily closed the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center located at Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois, due to high water on the Illinois River.

  • Major flooding threatens Mississippi River Valley, Army Corps flood fighters fully engaged

    VICKSBURG, Miss., December 29, 2015 – The Mississippi Valley Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, fully activated its flood fighting emergency management operations for the Rock Island, St. Louis, Memphis, Vicksburg and New Orleans districts to manage rapidly rising water levels on the Mississippi River and several tributaries, with the highest Mississippi River levels since the Great Flood of 2011.

  • Sugar Bottom Mountain Biking Trails Closure

    Iowa City, IA – Public lands at Coralville Lake are open for hunting in designated areas. During shotgun and muzzle loader hunting seasons, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers encourages visitors to use appropriate safety measures when visiting these areas. This may include wearing blaze orange vests and/or clothing. Once again, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is closing Coralville Lake’s Sugar Bottom Bike Trails in Solon, Iowa from December 1, 2015 through January 10, 2016 to accommodate shotgun and muzzle loader hunting seasons. For more information, please contact the Coralville Lake Project Office at (319) 338-3543 ext 6300 or visit www.coralvillelake.org.

  • Lock and Dam 21 Visitor Access Limited during Winter Construction

    QUINCY, Illinois - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, Mississippi River Project announces that starting December 3, access to the Lock and Dam 21 Visitor Overlook will be restricted due to construction activities.

  • Lock and Dam 13 Visitor Access Limited during Winter Construction

    THOMSON, Illinois - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, Mississippi River Project announces that starting November 23, access to the Lock and Dam 13 Visitor Overlook will be limited due to construction activities.