Backlog of Maintenance

The Major Rehabilitation and Major Maintenance Program for the Locks and Dams on the Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway has been ongoing since 1975. Major rehabilitation consists of reliability or efficiency improvements.

Dam Safety Program

The purposes of a dam safety program are to protect life, property and the environment by ensuring that all dams are designed, constructed, operated and maintained safely and effectively.

Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) - Overview

The Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) evaluates and identifies preferred alternative dredged material placement site(s) using a six-step planning process and, where applicable, a matrix with six evaluation criteria: dredging cost; natural resources; beneficial use of dredged material; recreational resources; cultural resources; and social impacts.

Emergency Response/Recovery Actions - Overview

The Rock Island District is prepared to provide all hazard response and recovery assistance under the authority of Public Law (PL) 84-99 and PL 93-288.

Floodplain Management Services (FPMS)

The Floodplain Management Services (FPMS) Program provides a full range of technical services and planning guidance in support of effective floodplain management and flood risk reduction.

GLMRIS Brandon Road

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating potential control options and technologies at Brandon Road Lock and Dam to prevent the upstream Interbasin transfer of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) while minimizing impacts to Illinois Waterway uses and users.

Illinois River Basin Restoration (sec 519,WRDA 2000)

Section 519 of WRDA 2000 authorized: (1) Comprehensive Plan to develop and implement a restoration program, long-term resource monitoring program, and evaluate new technologies and innovative approaches, and (2) construction of critical restoration projects.

Illinois Waterway

The project includes a total of 268 river miles of 9-foot commercial navigation channel from Chicago to LaGrange Lock and Dam, near Beardstown, Illinois; with 8 locks and 7 dams.

Illinois Waterway Consolidated Lock Closures

To maintain reliable navigation and avoid unscheduled long-duration closures on the Illinois Waterway (IWW), the locks need to undergo scheduled major rehabilitation and maintenance.

Illinois Waterway Maintenance Dredging Operations & Maintenance

In order to maintain the 9-foot navigation channel, maintenance dredging is performed at various locations in the reach of the Illinois Waterway in the Rock Island District.

Levee Safety Program

In the Rock Island District, approximately forty thousand people live or work behind levees in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Levee Safety Program.

Mississippi River Maintenance Dredging (Operations & Maintenance)

In order to maintain the 9-foot navigation channel, maintenance dredging is performed at various locations in the reach of the Upper Mississippi River in the Rock Island District.

National Flood Fight Materiel Center - Overview

Under authority of Public Law 84-99, during flood emergencies the Corps of Engineers may provide tribal, state and local communities with flood fight supplies and equipment.

National Levee Database

The National Levee Database (NLD), developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), is the focal point for comprehensive information about our nation's levees.

Planning Assistance to States and Tribes

The Planning Assistance to States and Tribes (PAS&T) Program provides States, counties, local communities and Indian tribes with planning level assistance in addressing a water resources issues and planning needs.

Regional Flood Risk Management

In recent years, the Upper Mississippi River watershed has experienced more frequent flooding with higher stages, particularly in the last ten years with major floods occurring in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014.

Repairs to Levee Systems/Flood Control Projects - Policy

Corps of Engineers policy regarding repairs to levee systems and flood control projects damaged by floods.

Section 1135 Projects (Project Modifications for Improvements to the Environment) - Overview

Section 1135 of the 1986 Water Resources Development Act, as amended, provides authority for the Corps of Engineers to determine the need for project modifications in the structures and operations of existing Corps of Engineers projects for the purpose of improving the environment in the public interest.

Section 204 Overview

Section 204 of the 1992 Water Resources Development Act, as amended, provides authority for the Corps of Engineers to restore, protect, and create aquatic and wetland habitats in connection with construction or maintenance dredging of an authorized navigation project.

Section 205 Overview

Section 205, small flood risk management program provides support for local flood risk management by the construction or improvement of structural or non-structural flood risk management measures.

Section 206 Overview

Section 206 of the 1996 Water Resources Development Act, as amended, provides authority for the Secretary to carry out an aquatic ecosystem restoration and protection project.

Section 408 Program

The Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and codified in 33 USC 408 (commonly referred to as “Section 408”) authorizes the Secretary of the Army, on the recommendation of the Chief of Engineers of the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), to grant permission for the alteration or occupation or use of a civil works project provided the Secretary determines that the activity will not be injurious to the public interest and will not impair the usefulness of the project.

Shoreline Management on Mississippi River

In 1989, the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) was developed and implemented as guidance for the management, protection and preservation of the Mississippi River's environment, while allowing a balanced use of the shoreline.

Thomas J. O'Brien Lock and Controlling Works, Illinois Waterway, Illinois (Major Rehabilitation/Major Maintenance)

The T.J. O’Brien Lock and Controlling Works is an aging structure which is at an increasing risk of failure.

UMRR Program - IL, IA, MO, MN, WI - Upper Mississippi River Restoration

The UMRR Program was authorized by the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986 and continuously authorized by WRDA 1999. The program consists of two primary elements: habitat rehabilitation projects and systemic monitoring and research.

Upper Mississippi River and Illinois River Flow Frequency Study

The current Upper Mississippi River and Illinois River flow frequency study, completed in 2004, was created using a period of record ending in 1998. Since then frequent and record setting major floods have occurred. The flood of 2019 was not only historic with regards to flood heights, but also in its duration. The Mississippi River was above flood stage at Cape Girardeau for 145 days. In addition, many communities between Dubuque, Iowa and St. Louis, Missouri have experienced the majority of their top 10 flood crests in the past 20 years. Significant flooding on the UMR occurred in 2001, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2019. The Illinois River has experienced the same unprecedented flooding. At Peoria, IL (on the IWW), 5 of the 10 highest flood crests have occurred since 1998; including the record crest in 2013.

Upper Mississippi River -Illinois Waterway System Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP)

NESP is a long-term program of ecosystem restoration and navigation improvements for the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS). NESP will improve system capacity and reduce commercial traffic delays through construction of 7 new 1,200-foot locks, mooring cells and switchboat implementation.

Upper Mississippi River Watershed Project

Currently, there is no systemic flood risk management plan for the Upper Mississippi River. This uncoordinated flood response ultimately transfers risk to several areas, often without their knowledge. This watershed assessment will collaboratively develop an FRM strategy for UMR basin with an interagency team (Federal & 5 states).