Rock Island District News Releases

Road Closure over Red Rock Dam May 12-14

Press Operations — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:26:16 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces a full road closure to Highway T15 across the Red Rock Dam May 12-14. The closure is necessary for the ongoing rehabilitation project on the Red Rock Dam gates.

USACE Introduces New Regulatory Request System Module

Press Operations — Tue, 05 May 2026 04:59:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today the launch of a new module on its Regulatory Request System (RRS) that will allow users to self-verify that a pre-construction notification is not required for a proposed activity covered under a nationwide permit.

Locks and Dam 14 Auxiliary Lock to Remain Closed for Summer

Press Operations — Mon, 04 May 2026 18:06:09 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the auxiliary lock at Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, will remain closed during the 2026 summer season. Recreational boaters will have access to the main lock chamber to navigate between pools.

Neal Smith Trail Temporary Closure Scheduled May 6-8

Press Operations — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:09:16 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces a portion of the Neal Smith Trail, from Red Feather Prairie Access north to the Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Lake, will be closed May 6-8. The closure is necessary to allow a contractor to perform finishing work on the newly repaved sections of the trial.

Lake Red Rock Visitor Center to Close April 22 for Construction

Press Operations — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:01:00 GMT

Due to ongoing construction of a new visitor center and administration office, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is closing the current Lake Red Rock Visitor Center starting Wednesday, April 22. The facility will be closed to the public until further notice.

Repairs at Red Rock Dam necessitate Highway T15 Closure

Press Operations — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:45:45 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces a full road closure to Highway T15 across the Red Rock Dam April 1-3.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeks public comments on potential future changes to the nationwide permits

Press Operations — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 20:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced on March 16 that it is seeking input from all interested parties on ways to increase the efficiency of the nationwide permit program.

Saylorville Lake Visitor Center Opening Delayed

Press Operations — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:54:00 GMT

Due to safety concerns, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is delaying opening day of the Saylorville Lake Visitor Center. The facility, which was originally scheduled to open April 1, is now scheduled to reopen to the public for normal operating hours starting May 1.

Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway Visitor Centers Closed Temporarily for Employee Training

Press Operations — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:05:43 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the Mississippi River Visitor Center at Locks and Dam 15 in Rock Island, Illinois and the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois, will be closed March 3-4. The closure is needed to facilitate annual training for all visitor center staff. Both facilities will reopen to the public Thursday, March 5, for normal operational hours.

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works announces ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ initiative for the Army’s Civil Works program

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Today, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam R. Telle announced a major initiative, “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” for the Army’s Civil Works program. “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” will provide greater focus on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) core Civil Works missions, while minimizing non-core programs, direct funding to priority water resources projects that will provide the greatest benefits to the nation, shorten permitting timelines, and reduce or eliminate extraneous regulations and paperwork that slow USACE’s delivery of Civil Works projects and programs.

42nd Annual Clinton Bald Eagle Watch to be held Jan. 31

Press Operations — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 21:20:00 GMT

The 42nd Annual Clinton Bald Eagle watch will be held Jan. 31. The event is hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Clinton Community College, Clinton Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge.

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.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces publication of 2026 nationwide permits

Press Operations — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 17:40:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today the publication of the 2026 nationwide permits in the Federal Register. The 56 reissued and one new nationwide permit in the final action are necessary for work in streams, wetlands and other waters of the United States under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces finalization of nationwide permits

Press Operations — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 18:54:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will reissue 56 existing nationwide permits and issue one new permit for work in wetlands and other waters that are regulated by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. One existing permit will not be reissued.

Illinois Waterway Visitor Center to Host “Submarines Down the River” Lecture

Press Operations — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:10:38 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois, will host “Submarines Down the River” on January 4 at 1 p.m.

Mississippi River Visitor Center to Close for Holidays

Press Operations — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:22:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the Mississippi River Visitor Center at Locks and Dam 15 in Rock Island, Illinois, will be closed December 24-26 and January 1, for federal holidays. With the exception of these dates, the facility will be open to the public Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Illinois Waterway Visitor Center to Close for Holidays

Press Operations — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:59:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois, will be closed December 24-26 and January 1, for federal holidays. Public access to the facility and parking lot will be unavailable during the closures.

Road Closure over Red Rock Dam November 20-21

Press Operations — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:27:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces a full road closure to Highway T15 across the Red Rock Dam November 20-21. The closure will begin Thursday morning and may continue through Friday. The closure is necessary for the ongoing rehabilitation project on the Red Rock Dam gates.

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.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seeks Public Input for Mississippi & Illinois River Habitat Restoration

Press Operations — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 15:51:45 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in collaboration with state and federal partners, announces the launch of the Mississippi & Illinois River Experience Tool, a new initiative to gather public input to inform future restoration efforts under the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP).