Rock Island District / Media / News Releases

  • North Overlook Picnic Area to Close

    The North Overlook Picnic Area is closed to public use effective Monday, September 22, 2014 until further notice. This closure also closes the trailhead access to the Volksweg Trail at this location, and the North Overlook Hiking Trail. The assembly of a large crane, future hydromill assembly and staging of equipment has necessitated the closure for construction on the Red Rock Hydropower Project.

  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shares water safety tips for Labor Day holiday

    (ROCK ISLAND, Ill.) — It’s almost time to say goodbye to summer. If you’ll be spending the weekend on or around the water this Labor Day, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers urges you to remember these safety tips.

  • Final Two Days of Locks and Dam #15 Tours

    Rock Island, IL - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Project announces they will be offering the final two days of Locks and Dam #15 tours on Saturday August 23rd and 30th. These free tours are open to the public and will be offered at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and will each last one hour.

  • Missouri River Energy Services Officially Breaks Ground on Red Rock Hydroelectric Project

    PELLA, Iowa – The official groundbreaking of the Red Rock Hydroelectric Project (RRHP) took place Aug. 13 at Lake Red Rock near Pella, Iowa. The project is a retrofit of an existing Army Corps of Engineers dam on the Des Moines River that will produce 36 megawatts of power, with the capacity to generate up to 55 megawatts during peak seasons; enough to power about 18,000 homes. Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) is building the project, which is being financed by Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (WMMPA). RRHP is expected to be completed in 2018, at which point it will be the second-largest hydropower facility in Iowa.

  • T-15 will be down to one lane relating to construction of hydroelectric project

    One lane of T-15 that crosses over the Red Rock Dam will be closed so that workers can safely widen that section of road in order to add a turning lane. The widened road and turning lane will give workers access to the future intake structure for the Red Rock Hydroelectric Project that will be constructed at the dam. Signage indicating the one-lane closure will be placed at each end of the dam. Traffic will be limited to one lane each weekday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., beginning Tuesday, Aug. 19. It is hoped that the work will be completed by Friday, Aug. 28. Both lanes of the road will be open on Saturday and Sunday. The road will be completely closed later in the fall. Missouri River Energy Services (MRES), which is building the Red Rock Hydroelectric Project, will issue a notice prior to that closure. MRES also has developed a website at www.redrockhydroproject.com that will include up-to-date information about the project. For more information, contact MRES Director of Member and Public Relations Bill Radio, phone: 605-338-4042; e-mail: bill.radio@mrenergy.com.

  • Free Tours of Locks and Dam #15

    Rock Island, IL - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Project announces they will be offering free tours of Locks and Dam #15 every Saturday through August 30th. These tours will be offered at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and will each last one hour.

  • Lake Red Rock Update: Thursday, July 31, 2014

    Several recreation areas at Lake Red Rock have reopened: The Whitebreast Beach, South Overlook boat ramp, and the Volksweg Trail adjacent to the marina are now open for public use. For the most current lake level, dam outflow and forecast information, check out www.rivergages.com. If you have questions, please contact the US Army Corps of Engineers at (641) 828-7522 or (641) 628-8690. Email: lakeredrock@usace.army.mil

  • Red Rock North Tailwater Area to be Closed During Construction of Hydroelectric Plant

    The North Tailwater area near the Red Rock Dam will be closed to the public beginning Aug. 4 to enable construction of hydroelectric facilities at the Dam. The closure will extend until construction of the project is completed in the spring of 2018. The closure will include the North Tailwater Recreation Area of Lake Red Rock, and a section of the Volksweg Trail from Howell Station Campground to North Overlook Picnic Area in that vicinity.

  • Corps of Engineers, DNR celebrate project completion for Peoria Upper Islands

    ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, and its partner, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, celebrate the completion of the Peoria Upper Island Critical Restoration Project with a ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 1 at 11 a.m. outside the Gateway Building located at 200 NE Water Street, Peoria, Ill.

  • Shady Creek and Kilpeck Landing Recreation Areas Open

    Rock Island, IL - The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Project announces the re-opening of Shady Creek and Kilpeck Landing Recreation Areas, on July 25, 2014. The areas were closed for a time due to the floodwaters.