Rock Island District News Releases

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).

Army Corps of Engineers waives fees and invites volunteers to participate in National Public Lands Day, Sept. 27

Press Operations — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:47:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will waive day use fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at its recreation areas nationwide in recognition of National Public Lands Day (NPLD) on Saturday, Sept. 27.

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.

Mississippi River Visitor Center Operating Days Change

Press Operations — Tue, 13 May 2025 14:45:00 GMT

Starting May 20, the Mississippi River Visitor Center operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, at Locks and Dam 15 on the Rock Island Arsenal will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Friday each week.

Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors to practice water safety

Press Operations — Wed, 07 May 2025 16:00:00 GMT

As millions of Americans plan visits to our nation’s lakes and rivers for the 2025 recreation season, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors of the importance of practicing safe, sensible and thoughtful activities in, on and around open water.

41st Annual Clinton Bald Eagle Watch scheduled for Feb. 8

Press Operations — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 16:09:08 GMT

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 are hosting the 41st Annual Clinton Bald Eagle Watch Saturday, February 8.

Starved Rock Eagle Watch Weekend Scheduled for Jan. 25-26

Press Operations — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 13:41:54 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Starved Rock State Park, LaSalle County Tourism, Heritage Corridor Destinations, Starved Rock Lodge and Village of North Utica are hosting Eagle Watch Weekend, Saturday, January 25 and Sunday, January 26.

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.

Shady Creek Recreation Area Trick-or-Treat in the Park – Oct. 26

Press Operations — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 15:16:35 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Project is hosting Trick-or-Treat in the Park at Shady Creek Recreation Area. The event will be held on Saturday, October 26 from 2 - 4 p.m. Shady Creek is located at 3550 Hwy 22 in Muscatine, IA.

Army Corps of Engineers waives fees and invites volunteers to participate in National Public Lands Day, Sept. 28

Press Operations — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 17:30:00 GMT

Lake Red Rock Beaches Reopened

Press Operations — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:44:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has reopened North Overlook and Whitebreast beaches at Lake Red Rock.

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.

Portion of Neal Smith Trail at Saylorville Lake to close for construction work

Press Operations — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 18:17:30 GMT

Due to water and sewer construction work at the Cherry Glen Recreation Area, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is closing a portion of the Neal Smith Trail at Saylorville Lake indefinitely starting March 20.

USACE warns of dangerous ice conditions at Coralville Lake

Press Operations — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 16:24:13 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is warning the public to stay off the ice at Coralville Lake. Recent extreme cold has added ice to the surface of the water while decreasing inflows have caused unstable conditions.

New lifetime pass available for Military Veterans and Gold Star Families to access public lands

Press Operations — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 17:58:00 GMT

The Biden-Harris administration announced that starting on Veterans Day (Nov. 11), veterans of the U.S. Armed Services and Gold Star Families can obtain a free lifetime pass to thousands of federal recreation sites spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is participating in the new pass program and will have passes available at the Mississippi River Visitor Center in Rock Island, Illinois, the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center in Ottawa, Illinois, and the project offices at Saylorville Lake, Coralville Lake and Lake Red Rock in Iowa.

Army Corps of Engineers extends America the Beautiful Military Recreation Pass benefits to veterans and Gold Star families

Press Operations — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 01:47:00 GMT

Beginning Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2020, all U.S. military veterans and Gold Star family members will be eligible to enter USACE-managed recreation areas free of charge where a day use recreation fee applies. This benefit does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities (group picnic shelters) and events. Some facilities and activities on federal recreation lands are managed by private concessionaires whose services would not be covered by this benefit.

Army Corps of Engineers supports temporarily expanding Every Kid Outdoors recreation pass to include 5th grade students

Press Operations — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 01:39:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today it will temporarily expand the Every Kid Outdoors recreation pass to include 5th grade students for the 2020-2021 academic year. This change will ensure that 5th grade students who may not have been able to make full use of the Every Kid Outdoors Annual 4th Grade Pass during the 2019-2020 academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have a chance to do so during the current academic year through Aug. 31, 2021.

Army Corps of Engineers invites volunteers to participate in National Public Lands Day, Sept. 26

Press Operations — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 19:15:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes volunteers to continue the annual tradition of public service by participating in this year’s National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 26. Events will be held both virtually and in-person where possible and with COVID-19 safety precautions in place.