Rock Island District / Media / News Releases

  • 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.

  • Coralville Lake now operating under updated Water Control Plan

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is now managing Coralville Lake under operational parameters outlined in a recently approved updated Water Control Plan. This plan was the result of a feasibility study initiated to update the Iowa River Basin Master Reservoir Regulation Manual. The Water Control Plan consists of operational parameters defining how, and when, water is stored and released. It includes a schedule of releases, conservation pool levels to be maintained during non-flood or drought conditions, and downstream water level constraints.

  • 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.    

  • Saylorville Lake to host bald eagle watch Feb. 27

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Dallas County Conservation Board and the Des Moines Audubon Society, is hosting a FREE bald eagle watch Sunday, Feb. 27, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Cottonwood and Bob Shetler Recreation Areas at Saylorville Lake.

  • Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, to receive $1.2B in FY22 through Infrastructure Funding Law

    The U.S. Army has announced the Civil Works studies, projects and programs that the Corps would implement in Fiscal Year 2022 with the $22.81 billion in supplemental funding provided in two recently enacted laws — the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; and the 2022 Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.

  • Roadway across Saylorville Lake Dam closed due to high winds

    Due to high winds, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has closed the roadway that crosses over the Saylorville Lake dam. Boat ramps and other winter recreation areas have also closed due to forecasted weather conditions. Areas will reopen when conditions are deemed safe. For more information, contact the Saylorville Lake Project Office at 515-276-4656.

  • Closure of riverfront walkway at Locks and Dam 14 extended

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has extended the closure of the public walkway located downstream of Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa. Due to ongoing construction, it will remain closed through late February 2022. The extension is the result of material shortages which have delayed construction.

  • Lock and Dam 21 Closed to Visitors

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is restricting visitor access to Lock and Dam 21 as it has closed due to road construction.