Rock Island District News Releases

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.

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.

Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, to receive $1.2B in FY22 through Infrastructure Funding Law

Press Operations — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 15:29:00 GMT

The U.S. Army has announced the Civil Works studies, projects and programs that the Corps would implement in Fiscal Year 2022 with the $22.81 billion in supplemental funding provided in two recently enacted laws — the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; and the 2022 Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.

While Enjoying America’s Waterways Play It Safe

Press Operations — Wed, 24 May 2017 16:00:00 GMT

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Before you head out for a day on or near the water, the U.S. Army Corps of

Deadline for applications for Wheelin' Sportsmen Turkey Hunt Extended to April 1.

Press Operations — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 14:48:00 GMT

The deadline for applications for the Wheelin' Sportsmen Turkey Hunt has been extended to April 1. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along with the Red Rock Lake Association and the Mahaska Fan Club Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) will be hosting its first annual Lake Red Rock Wheelin’ Sportsmen Turkey Hunt on April 23rd 2016. The hunt will pair disabled individuals with volunteer guides from the NWTF in hopes of bagging a turkey and having a great time in the outdoors.

Grant River Recreation Area Reopens

Press Operations — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 16:05:00 GMT

Rock Island, IL - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Project announces the reopening of the Grant River Recreation Area at 4 pm on July 18, 2014.

Partial Opening for Thomson Recreation Areas

Press Operations — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 16:01:00 GMT

Rock Island, IL - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Project announces that the some of the Thomson Recreation Areas are beginning to reopen or partially reopen as flood waters recede and the areas are cleaned up and made safe for public entry.

"National Water Trail" Designation for Lake Red Rock

Press Operations — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 16:11:00 GMT

The Red Rock Trail at Lake Red Rock, Knoxville, Iowa, has officially been designated as a National Water Trail by the National Park Service. Joining the Red Rock Trail is The Island Loop Route Water Trail in Michigan and The Missouri National Recreation River Water Trail that flows through South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa. These three trails join 11 previously dedicated water trails across the country.

Corps of Engineers hosts Upper Mississippi River open house on Motor Vessel Mississippi

Press Operations — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 21:23:09 GMT

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The Mississippi River Commission on board the Motor Vessel (M/V) Mississippi, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ largest diesel towboat and flagship to the Commission, is inspecting Corps of Engineers’ projects along the Upper Mississippi River, August 12-16. The visit is part of the Commission’s annual Low Water Inspection trip.

Corps’ officials meet with Illinois leaders to discuss low water operations

Press Operations — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:35:00 GMT

VICKSBURG, Miss., December 18, 2012 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley Division Commander Maj. Gen. John Peabody and St. Louis District Commander Col. Chris Hall met with state and local representatives yesterday in Alton, Ill., to discuss current and future actions the Corps will take to maintain a safe and reliable navigation channel during low water.

Corps, Muscatine celebrate completion of Mad Creek Flood Risk Management Project

Press Operations — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:43:34 GMT

MUSCATINE, Iowa - The Rock Island District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Muscatine invite the public to help celebrate the completion of the Mad Creek Flood Risk Management Project with a ribbon cutting ceremony, December 6 at noon. The ceremony is being held just upstream of the 2nd Street Bridge in the parking lot of HON Industries in Muscatine.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Web site gets new look; Web links changing

Press Operations — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is migrating its public Web site (www.mvr.usace.army.mil) and all its Web pages to a new look and Web hosting platform on Thursday, 25 October.

Corps lakes providing water supply and water quality releases due to drought

Press Operations — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 21:07:00 GMT

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The Rock Island District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is currently operating its three Iowa reservoirs for drought conditions. With significantly decreased inflows, Saylorville Lake at Des Moines, Iowa; Lake Red Rock at Knoxville, Iowa; and Coralville Lake at Iowa City, Iowa; continue to release water to provide water supply and water quality for communities and utility needs downstream of the reservoirs.

Corps responds to Hurricane Isaac

Press Operations — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMT

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Rock Island District is sending a team of volunteers to support the Corps’ Mississippi Valley Division’s response to Hurricane Isaac.

Recreation.gov gets new design, expanded content

Press Operations — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 20:41:00 GMT

WASHINGTON -- President Obama’s administration announced a new design, improved navigation tools and expanded content for Recreation.Gov, the interagency website that guides visitors to 90,000 sites on federal lands such as national parks, wildlife refuges, waterways, forests and recreation areas. These recreation areas include sites within the 78,000 square mile boundaries of the Rock Island District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

New display added to Mississippi River Visitor Center

Press Operations — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 13:00:00 GMT

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Fish now adorn the walls of the Mississippi River Visitor Center located on Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Ill., near Locks and Dam 15.

Enjoy your holiday, play it safe and return home alive

Press Operations — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Drowning is the nation’s second leading cause of accidental death, wearing a life jacket can reduce drowning deaths. Statistics show that 90 percent of those who drown at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes and rivers may have survived if they had worn a life jacket. Here are some safety tips from the Rock Island District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help you have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July holiday.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hosts change of command

Press Operations — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 04:00:00 GMT

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, changes hands on Friday, June 29 during a ceremony on Arsenal Island at Historic Quarters One beginning at 10 a.m.

Veterans Trail designated as National Recreation Trail

Press Operations — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 04:00:00 GMT

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The U.S. Department of the Interior has designated the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Veterans Trail at Coralville Lake, Iowa City, Iowa, as a National Recreation Trail for 2012.