Rock Island District / Media / News Releases

  • Saylorville Lake Recreation Areas to remain open this fall

    Due to a schedule adjustment, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is keeping several campgrounds and day use recreation areas at Saylorville Lake open for the remainder of the recreation season this fall.

  • Locks and Dam 14 Riverfront Walkway Reopens

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the riverfront walkway at Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, has reopened for public use. The space, which has been closed since December 2020 for reconstruction, now features a fully accessible concrete walkway with covered seating and a picnic area.

  • Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers Experiencing Widespread and Regional Changes

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District; and the U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with others, have released a report regarding the Ecological Status and Trends of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The Status and Trends report is the third of its kind produced as part of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) program and includes information on long term changes in water quality, aquatic vegetation and fish from six study areas spread across the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The report also summarizes trends in possible drivers of long-term changes in the river including river discharge and floodplain land cover.

  • USACE Releases Work Plan, additional $15 million for Rock Island District

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) delivered to Congress its Fiscal Year 2022 (FY 2022) Work Plan for the Army Civil Works program on May 25, 2022, which included an additional $15 million in appropriations for the Rock Island District.

  • Auxiliary Lock to open for season at Lock 14

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the auxiliary lock, located at Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, will open May 27 for recreational boating traffic. Every weekend until Sept. 5, the lock will be open for recreational use on Fridays from 4-10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from Noon-10 p.m. In addition, the auxiliary lock will be open Noon-10 p.m. on the Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day holidays and until midnight on Friday, August 12, to assist recreational boaters attending Tugfest activities and the fireworks display.

  • 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.

  • Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors to practice water safety

    As millions of Americans plan visits to our nation’s lakes and rivers, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District reminds visitors of the importance of practicing safe, sensible, and thoughtful activities in, on, and around open water.

  • FREE Boating Safety Classes to be Offered

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will be offering two, free boating safety education classes, May 7 and 14 at the Mississippi River Project Office near Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa. Each class runs from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and is open to anyone 12 years of age or older. Completion of only one of these classes is needed for certification.

  • 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.