Rock Island District News Releases

USACE Rock Island District Announces Volunteer Opportunities for 2026 Recreation Season

Press Operations — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 18:18:20 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District is looking for volunteers to serve at its recreation areas for the 2026 season. Opportunities exist in Iowa at Saylorville Lake near Des Moines, Lake Red Rock near Pella, Coralville Lake near Iowa City, and at the Farmdale Reservoir in Peoria, Illinois. Opportunities can also be found in Iowa and Illinois at recreation areas and visitor centers along the Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway.

Temporary Boat Ramp Closures at Saylorville Lake

Press Operations — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 15:06:33 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces temporary closures of two Saylorville Lake boat ramps during ongoing construction projects.

High Water Causes Boat Ramp Closures at Saylorville Lake

Press Operations — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:52:40 GMT

For public safety, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has closed the Cherry Glen Lower Boat Ramp and Oak Grove Beach Access at Saylorville Lake due to rising water levels caused by heavy rains in the Des Moines River watershed. These closures will remain in effect until lake levels recede, and the areas can be cleaned and safely reopened.

Army Corps of Engineers waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Army Corps of Engineers’ Birthday and Juneteenth Celebration

Press Operations — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced today that it will waive day use fees at its more than 2,600 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in observance of the USACE birthday, June 16, and Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Nationwide Recreation Operational Status Website Launched

Press Operations — Thu, 22 May 2025 18:32:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has launched its Recreation Operational Status website to keep the public informed about the operational status of USACE recreation areas nationwide.

Temporary Closure of Neal Smith Trail at Saylorville Lake

Press Operations — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 19:10:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will close a portion of the Neal Smith Trail at Saylorville Lake beginning April 17 for trail reconstruction work. The affected section of trail extends from Red Feather Prairie Access North to the Cherry Glen Recreation Area. Work is expected to take approximately four weeks to complete and includes time for the new concrete to properly cure. For public safety, trail users are reminded to stay out of marked construction zones and to observe all posted signage and fencing throughout the project duration. For further questions, contact the Saylorville Lake Administration Office at 515-276-4656.

Power Failure Impacts Cherry Glen Picnic Area

Press Operations — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 15:33:00 GMT

Due to a power failure at the Cherry Glen Picnic Area at Saylorville Lake, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is temporarily modifying operations within the park. Repairs are pending, but a completion date is not yet known.

Temporary Closure of Neal Smith Trail at Saylorville Lake

Press Operations — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:26:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces that a portion of the Neal Smith Trail at Saylorville Lake will temporarily close beginning November 4th to facilitate a waterline replacement. The closure of the trail is scheduled to last through November 18th.

Additional boat ramp to close at Saylorville Lake

Press Operations — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 17:49:00 GMT

Due to rising water levels at Saylorville Lake, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District will be closing the Cherry Glen High Water Boat Ramp at 10 p.m. today. Ongoing closures remain in place at Cherry Glen Lower Boat Ramp, the lower parking lot at Lakeview High Water Boat Ramp, Oak Grove Beach Access, Sandpiper Boat Ramp, NW Jester Park Drive, and Lakeview Main Boat Ramp. These closures will remain in effect until lake levels recede, and the areas can be cleaned and safely reopened.

High water causes debris warning, closures at Saylorville Lake

Press Operations — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 17:02:00 GMT

Following recent rainfall in northern Iowa and the Des Moines River watershed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has closed specific areas at Saylorville Lake 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, Sandpiper Boat Ramp, NW Jester Park Drive, Lakeview Main Boat Ramp, and the Neal Smith Trail from Prairie Flower Campground to Saylorville Lake Marina. These closures will remain in effect until lake levels recede, and the areas can be cleaned and safely reopened.

Saylorville Lake Administration Office to Close

Press Operations — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 18:57:23 GMT

In order to maintain public safety during demolition and construction of new Maintenance and Administration Buildings, the Saylorville Lake Administration Office will be closed to the public until completion of this work which is anticipated to finish in 2026.

High water causes debris warning, closures at Saylorville Lake

Press Operations — Mon, 06 May 2024 20:20:00 GMT

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.

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

Press Operations — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 19:48:41 GMT

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

Press Operations — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 16:59:31 GMT

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.

Portion of Neal Smith Trail to close for resurfacing at Saylorville Lake

Press Operations — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 20:45:04 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces a portion of the Neal Smith Trail at Saylorville Lake will temporarily close for resurfacing starting March 4th.

Weather prompts temporary closures at Saylorville Lake

Press Operations — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 21:54:17 GMT

Due to forecasted inclement weather, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will temporarily close the portion of NW 78th Ave. that crosses over Saylorville Lake Dam starting at 8 p.m. tonight. The roadway will be closed from the Iowa National Guard Armory entrance to the Saylorville Lake Visitor Center entrance. All Saylorville Lake recreation areas will also be closed to ensure the safety of staff and visitors. The roadway and recreation areas will reopen when conditions improve, and staff are able to safely clear the areas. For up-to-date information on area closures, follow us on social media at www.facebook.com/SaylorvilleLake, or contact the Saylorville Lake project office at 515-276-4656.

Weather to cause temporary closures at Saylorville Lake

Press Operations — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 20:21:35 GMT

Due to current weather conditions, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has temporarily closed the portion of NW 78th Ave. that crosses over Saylorville Lake Dam. The roadway is closed from the Iowa National Guard Armory entrance to the Saylorville Lake Visitor Center entrance. All Saylorville Lake recreation areas have also been closed to ensure the safety of staff and visitors.

Portion of Prairie Flower Campground roadway to close for resurfacing

Press Operations — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 20:03:24 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces a portion of the road which serves as part of the Neal Smith Trail in Prairie Flower Campground at Saylorville Lake will temporarily close for resurfacing starting Oct. 16. The closure will extend from the Prairie Flower Campground entrance building, north to where the road ends and becomes the northernmost entry point for the trail. The closure is anticipated to last until Nov. 3.

Bob Shetler Campground to be Closed for 2024 Recreation Season

Press Operations — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 15:52:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the Bob Shetler Campground at Saylorville Lake will be closed throughout the 2024 recreation season to facilitate upgrades and repairs to water and sewer line systems.

Army Corps of Engineers waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Army Corps of Engineers Birthday and Juneteenth Celebration

Press Operations — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 19:42:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced that it will waive day use fees at more than 2,850 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in observance of the USACE birthday, June 16, and Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19. The waiver covers fees for boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at Lake Red Rock, Saylorville Lake, Coralville Lake and USACE-operated areas on the Mississippi River. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities (group picnic shelters) and events. Other agencies or vendors that manage recreation areas on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the waiver in the areas that they manage.