Rock Island District News Releases

EPA and Army Seek Additional Input on Proposed Waters of the U.S. Definition While Advancing Toward Durable Final Rule

Press Operations — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of the Army announced a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to gather public input on additional regulatory language for defining “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) to be considered alongside the 2025 proposed rule. This action reflects the agencies’ commitment to radical transparency and to developing a durable, final WOTUS definition that adheres to the Supreme Court’s direction in Sackett v. EPA, cuts bureaucratic red tape, and protects water quality while recognizing that states and Tribes are best positioned to manage their own water resources.

Temporary Boat Ramp and Neal Smith Trail Closures Scheduled at Saylorville Lake

Press Operations — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 20:47:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces temporary partial closures affecting the Bob Shetler Recreation Area boat ramp and a segment of the Neal Smith Trail this week to facilitate essential maintenance operations.

Overnight Lane Closures Scheduled Across Saylorville Lake Dam Road Sept. 1–2

Press Operations — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 16:27:44 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will implement temporary single-lane closures across the Saylorville Lake Dam roadway during overnight hours from Sept. 1 through the early morning hours of Sept. 3 to accommodate pavement marking and line striping.

Public invited to attend open house for Lower Pool 13 Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project

Press Operations — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:23:59 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is hosting a public open house to discuss Phase II of the Lower Pool 13 Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project. The event is being held in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It will take place Sept. 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Eagle Point Lodge, 4101 N. Third St., in Clinton, Iowa.

Locks and Dam 14 Auxiliary Lock to Open for Tugfest Weekend

Press Operations — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:22:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the auxiliary lock at Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, will be open for public use from 4 p.m. to midnight, Friday, August 14 and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, August 15, to assist boaters traveling to and from Tugfest.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Celebrate Coralville Lake Facilities Upgrade with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony July 10

Press Operations — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:07:26 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, July 10, 2026, to celebrate the newly renovated Administration Building and Visitor Center, and newly constructed ranger equipment storage facility at Coralville Lake.

Locks and Dam 15 Auxiliary Lock to Open for Holiday Weekend

Press Operations — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 21:27:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the auxiliary lock at Locks and Dam 15 between Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois, will be open for public use during the upcoming 4th of July weekend. The lock will be open with dedicated staffing from noon to midnight Friday, July 3, in support of the Red, White and Boom fireworks event, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4. The auxiliary lock at Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, remains closed.

Road Closure over Red Rock Dam June 25-26

Press Operations — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:49:31 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces a full road closure to Highway T15 across the Red Rock Dam June 25-26. The closure is necessary for the ongoing rehabilitation project on the Red Rock Dam gates.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of America’s 250th birthday celebration

Press Operations — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:08:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today announced that it will waive day use fees at its more than 2,800 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in support of America’s 250th birthday celebration, July 3-5.

Temporary Closure of Saylorville Lake Visitor Center

Press Operations — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:02:09 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the Visitor Center at Saylorville Lake has temporarily closed for essential maintenance on the sewer system.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Army Corps of Engineers’ Birthday

Press Operations — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:46:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today announced that it will waive day use fees at its more than 2,800 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in observance of its birthday, June 16.

Road Closure over Red Rock Dam June 9-11

Press Operations — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:19:13 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces a full road closure to Highway T15 across the Red Rock Dam June 9-11. The closure is necessary for the ongoing rehabilitation project on the Red Rock Dam gates.

Partial Closure of West Overlook Campground at Coralville Lake

Press Operations — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:13:08 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces campsites 1-33 will be closed at the West Overlook Campground at Coralville Lake, June 8-19. The closure is needed to facilitate road replacement and repairs in the area. All other sites at West Overlook will remain open during construction. Visitors should use caution when traversing the area and obey all posted signs.

Road Closure over Red Rock Dam June 3-5

Press Operations — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:38:29 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces a full road closure to Highway T15 across the Red Rock Dam June 3-5. The closure is necessary for the ongoing rehabilitation project on the Red Rock Dam gates.

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.

USACE Introduces New Regulatory Request System Module

Press Operations — Tue, 05 May 2026 04:59:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today the launch of a new module on its Regulatory Request System (RRS) that will allow users to self-verify that a pre-construction notification is not required for a proposed activity covered under a nationwide permit.

Locks and Dam 14 Auxiliary Lock to Remain Closed for Summer

Press Operations — Mon, 04 May 2026 18:06:09 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the auxiliary lock at Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, will remain closed during the 2026 summer season. Recreational boaters will have access to the main lock chamber to navigate between pools.

Neal Smith Trail Temporary Closure Scheduled May 6-8

Press Operations — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:09:16 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces a portion of the Neal Smith Trail, from Red Feather Prairie Access north to the Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Lake, will be closed May 6-8. The closure is necessary to allow a contractor to perform finishing work on the newly repaved sections of the trial.

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.