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.

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.

Roadwork Across Coralville Dam Begins July 24

Press Operations — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 15:04:25 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will seal the roadway across Coralville Dam July 24-28. One lane will be open with intermittent closures from West Overlook Road, across the dam, and including portions of Prairie Du Chien Road. Delays should be expected through this area.

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.

Roadway construction to begin April 10 at Coralville Lake

Press Operations — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 19:38:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces that asphalt roadway improvements will begin April 10 on the West Overlook Rd NE and Prairie Du Chien Rd NE. One lane of traffic will be available during the construction period, however temporary road closures may occur.

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.

Corps seeks public input on revised Coralville Lake Reservoir Master Plan

Press Operations — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 16:57:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District is finalizing the Master Plan for Coralville Lake Reservoir and is seeking public input. A digital version of the plan and a video outlining changes are available for review at: https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Coralville-Lake/.

Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors to practice water safety

Press Operations — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 13:13:00 GMT

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.

Coralville Lake now operating under updated Water Control Plan

Press Operations — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 19:37:39 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is now managing Coralville Lake under operational parameters outlined in a recently approved updated Water Control Plan. This plan was the result of a feasibility study initiated to update the Iowa River Basin Master Reservoir Regulation Manual. The Water Control Plan consists of operational parameters defining how, and when, water is stored and released. It includes a schedule of releases, conservation pool levels to be maintained during non-flood or drought conditions, and downstream water level constraints.

Corps to resume collection of recreation fees at Coralville Lake

Press Operations — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 20:33:13 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will resume collection of recreational day use fees for boat ramps at Coralville Lake beginning April 1. Launching fees are $5 per day, per vehicle and can be paid with a credit or debit card via the self-serve machines at each boat ramp location. No cash or coins will be accepted at Mehaffey and West Overlook. Sandy Beach boat ramp will continue to be free of charge.

Virtual public open houses scheduled for Coralville Lake Water Control Plan update

Press Operations — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 19:23:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District is finalizing the Coralville Lake Water Control Plan and is seeking public input. Virtual open house sessions are scheduled Feb. 25 and March 4 at 5 p.m. and are open to anyone who would like to attend. Participants are encouraged to attend the event online as a visual presentation will be given and the chat feature of the online platform will be used for questions and answers. An audio-only option is available for those unable to attend on the web.

Corps seeks input on revised Coralville Lake Water Control Plan, plans virtual open house events

Press Operations — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 22:00:23 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District is finalizing the Coralville Lake Water Control Plan and is seeking public input. Two virtual open house events will be hosted to offer a question and answer opportunity for the public and gather feedback about the updated plan. The first virtual event will be held Thursday, Feb. 25, at 5 p.m. and the second will be Thursday, March 4, at 5 p.m.

Recreators warned of unstable ice at Coralville Lake

Press Operations — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 21:40:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District is advising all visitors, including ice fishermen and snowmobilers, to stay off the ice at Coralville Lake and to use extreme caution along the shoreline. Recent fluctuations in temperatures and snow cover has made the ice unstable.

Corps of Engineers to Increase Coralville Lake Outflows

Press Operations — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 20:54:14 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is preparing to temporarily increase outflows at the Coralville Reservoir. This minor deviation to normal operations, which will occur on or around June 30 depending on precipitation in the area, was implemented due to recent rainfall on already saturated soils that has resulted in high inflows into Coralville Reservoir.

Coralville Lake Picnic Shelters Open to First-Come, First Served

Press Operations — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 16:07:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District will open picnic shelters at Coralville Lake on a first-come, first-served basis beginning June 19. Reservations will not be accepted and users are asked to select shelters based on their current occupancy and availability.

Coralville Lake Closes West Overlook Day Use Boat Ramp

Press Operations — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 19:35:54 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has closed the West Overlook Day Use Boat Ramp at Coralville Lake until further notice. The closure was deemed necessary to evaluate safety concerns related to the boat ramp.

Campgrounds to reopen June 1 at Coralville Lake

Press Operations — Thu, 28 May 2020 20:17:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District announces campgrounds at Coralville Lake will reopen June 1. Online reservations through www.recreation.gov are required for all sites and same day reservations are now permitted.

Corps of Engineers Suspends Collection of Day Use Fees, Campground Closures Continue until June 1

Press Operations — Thu, 07 May 2020 18:27:00 GMT

ROCK ISLAND, Illinois – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District has suspended the collection of day use fees until Oct. 1. These suspended fees apply to all open recreation areas within the District. This includes recreation areas at Saylorville Lake, Lake Red Rock, Coralville Lake and those located along the Mississippi River between Potosi, Wisconsin and Saverton, Missouri.