Rock Island District News Releases

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.

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.

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.

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).

Park-N-Fish Recreation Area Closing July 7

Press Operations — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 13:32:16 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the closure of the Park-N-Fish Recreation Area, located near Hull, Illinois, off Highway 106, starting July 7. The closure is anticipated to last through 2026.

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.

FREE boating safety courses to be offered at Mississippi River Project Office

Press Operations — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 17:38:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is offering free boating safety education classes at the Mississippi River Project Office near Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa. These courses are designed to equip boaters of all experience levels with essential safety knowledge before heading out on the water. Classes will be offered April 5, 12, 19, and 26, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and are open to anyone 11 or older. While no on-the-water training is provided, the classroom-based instruction covers key boating safety principles. Boaters 12 and older who successfully complete the course and pass the final exam will receive an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Boat Safety Certification, which is recognized in both Illinois and Iowa.

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

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

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.

Mississippi River recreation areas closed due to flooding

Press Operations — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 16:54:32 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has closed multiple campgrounds, boat ramps and day use areas along the Mississippi River due to flooding. Additional closures are expected later this week and are anticipated to remain in place through the 4th of July holiday. Reservation cancelations will be communicated by Recreation.gov, as needed.

Public invited to open house, ribbon cutting for new Thomson Ranger Station

Press Operations — Fri, 17 May 2024 19:28:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, invites the public to an open house at the Thomson Ranger Station in Thomson, Illinois, May 29 from 1-3 p.m. with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:30 p.m. The new building, which is located near the entrance of the Thomson Causeway Recreation Area at 1600 Lewis Avenue, replaces a rented office space that the Corps occupied in downtown Thomson for more than 20 years.

FREE boating safety courses to be offered at Mississippi River Project Office

Press Operations — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 15:02:44 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is offering free boating safety education classes at the Mississippi River Project Office near Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, during the month of April. Classes, which are open to anyone 11 or older, will be offered April 13, 20, and 27 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

40th Annual Clinton Bald Eagle Watch rescheduled to Feb. 17

Press Operations — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 21:14:48 GMT

The 40th Clinton Bald Eagle watch has been rescheduled for Feb. 17. Originally planned for Jan. 13, this annual 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.

40th Annual Clinton Bald Eagle Watch Postponed

Press Operations — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 16:42:58 GMT

Due to forecasted inclement weather, the 40th Annual Clinton Bald Eagle Watch, scheduled for Saturday, January 13 at Clinton Community College in Clinton, Iowa, and Lock and Dam 13 in Fulton, Illinois, has been postponed. An announcement will be made when a new date for the event has been selected. For more information, contact the Thomson Park Rangers at 563-362-8839 or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 815-273-2732.

40th Annual Bald Eagle Watch to be held in Clinton, Iowa

Press Operations — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 15:42:17 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 40th Annual Clinton Bald Eagle Watch Saturday, Jan. 13. Educational programs and environmental exhibits will be hosted indoors at Clinton Community College at 1000 Lincoln Blvd. in Clinton, Iowa. Outdoor eagle viewing will be held at Lock and Dam 13 in Fulton, Illinois, off Highway 84 from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. All event activities are free for the public to attend.

Corps of Engineers to host two open house events onboard the Motor Vessel MISSISSIPPI

Press Operations — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 19:19:23 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will provide two opportunities for the public to tour the Motor Vessel MISSISSIPPI at no cost while it’s visiting the region. Public open houses will take place: Saturday, August 12 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at River Heritage Park in downtown Davenport, Iowa Sunday, August 13 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Mississippi Riverwalk at the Port of Dubuque, in Dubuque, Iowa The vessel will be in the region as part of the Mississippi River Commission’s Low Water Inspection trip. The open houses will provide information about the importance of the Mississippi River System and the diversity of uses and users along the waterway.

Shady Creek Campground to reopen June 16

Press Operations — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 14:16:07 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the Shady Creek Recreation Area campground, located near Muscatine, Iowa, will reopen for reservations starting June 16. Opening of the recreation area was delayed this summer due to infrastructure upgrades within the park. Reservations can be made by visiting https://www.recreation.gov/ or calling 877-444-6777. For more information on Rock Island District recreation areas visit: www.mvr.usace.army.mil.