The inland waterway navigation system is essential to the economy of the Midwest as well as the nation. The Rock Island District’s waterway navigation system is the second longest of any Corps District and the number of locks and dams it manages also ranks second within the Corps.

Rock Island District maintains 314 miles of nine-foot navigation channel on the Mississippi River, including operation of 12 lock and dam sites; and 268 miles on the Illinois Waterway with operation of six lock and dam sites.