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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Swimming Not Recommended at Lake Red Rock’s North Overlook Beach

Press Operations — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 17:39:02 GMT

Due to elevated bacterial counts, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, advises that swimming is not recommended at Lake Red Rock’s North Overlook Beach until further notice.

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.

High Water to Close Lake Red Rock Beaches July 3

Press Operations — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 20:20:00 GMT

Due to rising water levels, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will close North Overlook and Whitebreast beaches starting July 3. The closures will remain in place until swim lines can be re-established, and the area is safe for use.

Portion of Volksweg Trail at Lake Red Rock closed for repairs

Press Operations — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 20:55:21 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has temporarily closed a small section of the Volksweg Trail at Lake Red Rock for repairs. The closure impacts the trail located near the pond along 198th Place and extends towards Howell Station Campground. Work is anticipated to last approximately two weeks.

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 closure across Red Rock Dam extended to June 29

Press Operations — Thu, 25 May 2023 20:06:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the full closure of Highway T15 across Red Rock Dam will now extend until June 29. The extended road closure is to allow for proper concrete cure times to the newly repaired bridge deck.

Roadway closure across Red Rock Dam to begin April 17

Press Operations — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 17:24:05 GMT

Due to work delays, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the full road closure of Highway T15 across Red Rock Dam will now begin April 17 instead of April 5 as previously announced. The closure, which is necessary for preventive maintenance to the Red Rock Dam, is expected to last through June 12 and a detour will be in place.

Opening of Lake Red Rock recreation areas further delayed

Press Operations — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 15:54:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces that due to a delay in manufacture and delivery of pipe for waterline upgrades several recreation areas at Lake Red Rock will not be opening June 1 as previously announced. Howell Station and North Overlook campgrounds and the North Overlook picnic area will now remain closed through July 31. Fifield picnic area will remain closed throughout the 2023 recreation season.

Roadway over Red Rock Dam to experience partial and full closures to traffic beginning February 27

Press Operations — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 22:32:42 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces temporary single-lane road closures to Highway T15 across the Red Rock Dam beginning February 27. Closures will only be in effect Monday through Friday each week. The road will be fully open to traffic on the weekends during this period. Partial closures are expected to last five weeks and are necessary for preventive maintenance to the Red Rock Dam.

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.

Opening of five Lake Red Rock recreation areas to be delayed in 2023 for infrastructure upgrades

Press Operations — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 20:07:23 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces delayed openings of the Howell Station, North Overlook and Whitebreast campgrounds and the Fifield and North Overlook recreation areas at Lake Red Rock. Those sites will delay opening until June 1 for the 2023 recreation season.

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.

Volksweg Trail Extension Now Open to Cordova Park

Press Operations — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 18:43:00 GMT

The newest section of the Volksweg Trail at Lake Red Rock is now complete and open to the public. This extension adds an additional 2.5 miles of trail from the Roberts Creek trailhead west to Cordova County Park. The full length of the Volksweg is now over 17 miles.