Rock Island District / Media / News Releases
Results:
Tag: illinois waterway
Clear

  • FREE boating safety courses to be offered at Illinois Waterway Visitor Center

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will offer free boating safety education classes at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at the Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois, April 15, May 20, June 17, July 15, and August 19. Each class will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is open to anyone 11 years of age or older. Completion of only one course is needed for certification.

  • Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, surrounding areas closed for roadway resurfacing

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center and public areas near Starved Rock Lock and Dam will be closed Monday, Oct. 31 through Friday, Nov. 4, for parking lot resurfacing. The visitor center, access roads, parking lots and the observation and picnic areas will reopen to the public on Saturday, Nov. 5. The Illinois Waterway Visitor Center is located at 950 N 27th Rd, Ottawa, IL  61350.  For more information, please contact the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at 815-667-4054.

  • Rising COVID levels return masks to Illinois Waterway Visitor Center

    Due to the COVID-19 Community Level being classified as high in LaSalle county, Illinois, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has reinstated mandatory mask wearing inside the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois. Outside viewing areas remain open with no mask requirement.

  • Upper Mississippi River System Hydraulic Model Update Complete

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island, St. Paul and St. Louis Districts recently completed a seven-year effort to develop an updated, standardized hydraulic model for the Upper Mississippi River System, including the Illinois Waterway. The model can be used to evaluate and communicate the effects of floodplain modifications to provide better predictability and more consistent flood risk management for the Upper Mississippi River System.

  • Temporary lock closures to begin May 9 at Brandon Road Lock on the Illinois Waterway

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will begin daytime closures of the Brandon Road Lock located in Joliet, Illinois, beginning May 9 to facilitate installation of bulkhead recesses which will later be used to perform critical maintenance on the lock in 2023.

  • Free boating safety classes offered at Illinois Waterway Visitor Center

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will offer three free Illinois Safe Boating classes this summer at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center May 7, June 18 and August 20 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The classes are open to everyone age 11 and older. Students under age 16 should be accompanied by an adult and pre-registration is required. Upon successful completion of the class and exam, participants will receive an Illinois DNR Boat Safety Certification.

  • Illinois Waterway Visitor Center closed to public March 6-9

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will temporarily close the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois, March 6-9, to allow staff to attend mandatory training. During this time, no indoor or outdoor facilities at the site will be available for public use.    

  • Free boating safety classes offered at Illinois Waterway Visitor Center

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will offer two free Illinois Safe Boating classes this summer at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center July 24 and August 14 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The classes are open to everyone age 11 and older. Students under age 16 should be accompanied by an adult and pre-registration is required. Upon successful completion of the class and exam, participants will receive an Illinois DNR Boat Safety Certification.

  • Illinois Waterway Visitor Center reopens to public

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois, has reopened to the public. Operating hours are from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days a week.

  • Illinois Waterway reopens to navigation, construction complete

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces today that construction is complete and the Illinois Waterway locks have reopened to navigation after a series of extended, consolidated closures.