Rock Island District / Media / News Releases

  • Shoreline repairs and decades of debris to be removed at Saylorville Dam

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will be performing daily flow reductions at Saylorville Lake Dam starting the week of July 18 to facilitate the removal of more than 40 years of accumulated debris from the control tower intake.

  • Historic building to be removed from Illinois Waterway Project Office site

    In early August, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will dispose of a building identified as a contributing element to the Illinois Waterway Project Office, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building, located at 257 Grant Street in Peoria, Illinois, is no longer structurally sound and repairs are not feasible. Demolition and disposal of the building has been coordinated with the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

  • Saylorville Lake Recreation Areas to remain open this fall

    Due to a schedule adjustment, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is keeping several campgrounds and day use recreation areas at Saylorville Lake open for the remainder of the recreation season this fall.

  • Locks and Dam 14 Riverfront Walkway Reopens

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the riverfront walkway at Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, has reopened for public use. The space, which has been closed since December 2020 for reconstruction, now features a fully accessible concrete walkway with covered seating and a picnic area.

  • Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers Experiencing Widespread and Regional Changes

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District; and the U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with others, have released a report regarding the Ecological Status and Trends of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The Status and Trends report is the third of its kind produced as part of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) program and includes information on long term changes in water quality, aquatic vegetation and fish from six study areas spread across the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The report also summarizes trends in possible drivers of long-term changes in the river including river discharge and floodplain land cover.

  • USACE Releases Work Plan, additional $15 million for Rock Island District

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) delivered to Congress its Fiscal Year 2022 (FY 2022) Work Plan for the Army Civil Works program on May 25, 2022, which included an additional $15 million in appropriations for the Rock Island District.

  • Auxiliary Lock to open for season at Lock 14

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the auxiliary lock, located at Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, will open May 27 for recreational boating traffic. Every weekend until Sept. 5, the lock will be open for recreational use on Fridays from 4-10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from Noon-10 p.m. In addition, the auxiliary lock will be open Noon-10 p.m. on the Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day holidays and until midnight on Friday, August 12, to assist recreational boaters attending Tugfest activities and the fireworks display.

  • Upper Mississippi River System Hydraulic Model Update Complete

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island, St. Paul and St. Louis Districts recently completed a seven-year effort to develop an updated, standardized hydraulic model for the Upper Mississippi River System, including the Illinois Waterway. The model can be used to evaluate and communicate the effects of floodplain modifications to provide better predictability and more consistent flood risk management for the Upper Mississippi River System.

  • Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors to practice water safety

    As millions of Americans plan visits to our nation’s lakes and rivers, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District reminds visitors of the importance of practicing safe, sensible, and thoughtful activities in, on, and around open water.

  • FREE Boating Safety Classes to be Offered

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will be offering two, free boating safety education classes, May 7 and 14 at the Mississippi River Project Office near Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa. Each class runs from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and is open to anyone 12 years of age or older. Completion of only one of these classes is needed for certification.