Rock Island District News Releases

Holland appointed to Mississippi River Commission

Press Operations — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 19:44:00 GMT

President Donald J. Trump recently appointed Major General Diana M. Holland as a member and as the 41st President of the Mississippi River Commission (MRC).

Corps invites public to participate in “Discover the Illinois Waterway” online virtual forum

Press Operations — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 17:13:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District is inviting public participation in an online virtual discussion forum titled “Discover the Illinois Waterway” Oct. 29 from 9 a.m.-noon.

North Overlook Campground at Lake Red Rock to close for portion of 2021 season for construction

Press Operations — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 17:06:00 GMT

In order to inform those who may be planning 2021 camping trips, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District announces that it will close the North Overlook Campground at Lake Red Rock from May 16-August 31, 2021.

North Overlook Picnic Shelter Reservable for 2021 Recreation Season

Press Operations — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 20:05:00 GMT

KNOXVILLE, Iowa -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District has reopened the North Overlook Picnic Shelter for reservations for the 2021 recreation season. The shelter was intermittently closed to the public since Fall 2014 due to construction of the new Red Rock Hydropower Project. Reservations can be made up to a year in advance by visiting Recreation One Stop online at www.recreation.gov or by calling toll free at 1-877-444-6777. The shelter will remain available only on a first-come, first-served basis for the remainder of the 2020 season. For more information, please contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake Red Rock office at (641) 828-7522.

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.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to resume collection of day use recreation fees October 1

Press Operations — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 20:43:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will resume the collection of fees at its day use recreation areas beginning October 1. Fee collections were suspended earlier this year when recreation areas were closed due to COVID-19 precautions.

Operation Blue Roof sign-up for Hurricane Laura extended

Press Operations — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 21:55:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is extending the deadline to apply for Operation Blue Roof to Sept. 30, 2020. The original application deadline was set to expire Sept. 21. Residents can sign up for the program online at www.usace.army.mil/BlueRoof or call toll free 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258).

Army Corps of Engineers seeks public comments on proposal to renew and revise nationwide permits

Press Operations — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 13:01:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today it is seeking comments on its proposal to renew and revise 52 nationwide permits for work in wetlands and other waters that are regulated by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. In addition, USACE is proposing to issue five new nationwide permits that pertain to authorizing seaweed mariculture activities, finfish mariculture activities, electric utility line and telecommunications activities, utility line activities for water and other substances, and water reclamation and reuse facilities.

North Tailwater Recreation Area to reopen below Lake Red Rock Dam

Press Operations — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 14:36:16 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District will reopen for public use the North Tailwater Recreation Area below Lake Red Rock Dam Oct. 1. The area has been closed since Fall 2014 due to construction of the new Red Rock Hydropower Project.

Smith’s Island Recreation Area Closed Until Further Notice

Press Operations — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 15:42:52 GMT

Due to safety concerns related to storm damage, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has closed the Smith’s Island Recreation Area until further notice.

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.

Swimming Not Recommended at Lake Red Rock Beaches

Press Operations — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 16:04:00 GMT

Due to elevated bacteria levels, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District does not recommend swimming at the North Overlook and Whitebreast beaches at Lake Red Rock.

Lock Closure Viewing Available at Illinois Waterway Visitor Center Outdoor Area

Press Operations — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 18:40:52 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District announces that the outdoor viewing area at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center in Ottawa, Illinois, is open for viewing the ongoing construction work at Starved Rock Lock and Dam.

Corps completes Dredged Material Management Plan for the Bull’s Island and Milliken Creek area

Press Operations — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 20:33:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District has completed the Dredged Material Management Plan for the Bull’s Island and Milliken Creek dredge cuts on the Illinois Waterway.

Army Corps of Engineers reports an increase in adult drowning at its lake and river projects this summer

Press Operations — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 19:54:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that more than 30 people lost their lives to drowning in June at lake and river projects the agency manages. The June statistics represent a 47 percent increase in drownings over the same time period last year. USACE also reported that nearly all the drowning victims were adult males between the ages of 18 and 85 and were not wearing a life jacket at the time of the drowning.

Lake Red Rock Beaches Now Open

Press Operations — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 14:33:00 GMT

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

Saylorville Lake Opens Oak Grove Beach

Press Operations — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 20:35:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District has opened Oak Grove Beach as a designated beach. The beach is open 6am to 9pm daily and day-use fees will not be collected.

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.

Closures to Illinois Waterway Locks remain set for July 1

Press Operations — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 20:40:36 GMT

Beginning July 1, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District is temporarily closing the Dresden Island, Marseilles, Starved Rock, Peoria and LaGrange locks on the Illinois Waterway to facilitate needed repairs and maintenance. The closures, which will be conducted simultaneously to limit impacts to navigation, are scheduled to last through late October.

Lake Red Rock Picnic Shelters Open to First-Come, First Served

Press Operations — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 20:39:31 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District will open picnic shelters at Lake Red Rock on a first-come, first-served basis beginning June 22. Reservations will not be accepted and users are asked to select shelters based on their current occupancy and availability.