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Category: Illinois Waterway
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  • New lifetime pass available for Military Veterans and Gold Star Families to access public lands

    The Biden-Harris administration announced that starting on Veterans Day (Nov. 11), veterans of the U.S. Armed Services and Gold Star Families can obtain a free lifetime pass to thousands of federal recreation sites spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is participating in the new pass program and will have passes available at the Mississippi River Visitor Center in Rock Island, Illinois, the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center in Ottawa, Illinois, and the project offices at Saylorville Lake, Coralville Lake and Lake Red Rock in Iowa.
  • 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.
  • Historic building to be removed from Illinois Waterway Project Office site

    In early August, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will dispose of a building identified as a contributing element to the Illinois Waterway Project Office, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building, located at 257 Grant Street in Peoria, Illinois, is no longer structurally sound and repairs are not feasible. Demolition and disposal of the building has been coordinated with the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
  • 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.
  • 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.