13 Jun 2023

Shady Creek Campground to reopen June 16

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the Shady Creek Recreation Area campground, located near Muscatine, Iowa, will reopen for reservations starting June 16. Opening of the recreation area was delayed this summer due to infrastructure upgrades within the park. Reservations can be made by visiting https://www.recreation.gov/ or calling 877-444-6777. For more information on Rock Island District recreation areas visit: www.mvr.usace.army.mil.

8 Jun 2023

Army Corps of Engineers waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Army Corps of Engineers Birthday and Juneteenth Celebration

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced that it will waive day use fees at more than 2,850 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in observance of the USACE birthday, June 16, and Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19. The waiver covers fees for boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at Lake Red Rock, Saylorville Lake, Coralville Lake and USACE-operated areas on the Mississippi River. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities (group picnic shelters) and events. Other agencies or vendors that manage recreation areas on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the waiver in the areas that they manage.

24 May 2023

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 26 for recreational boating traffic.

7 Mar 2023

Upgrades at Thomson Causeway Recreation Area to cause temporary closures

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces it will be upgrading the water infrastructure at the Thomson Causeway Recreation Area in Thomson, Illinois, starting March 9. During installation of new, individual water hookups at sites 1-78 and 99-131, the Potter’s North, Potter’s South, Hickory Point loops and the day use areas of the park will be closed to all vehicle, bike and pedestrian traffic.

1 Mar 2023

Corps of Engineers to offer FREE boating safety courses

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will be offering free boating safety education classes at the Mississippi River Project Office near Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, during the month of April. Classes, which are open to anyone 12 years of age or older, will be offered April 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Completion of only one of these courses is needed for certification.

7 Feb 2023

Public Tours of dewatered Lock 12 being offered Feb. 15

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has de-watered Lock 12 on the Mississippi River in Bellevue, Iowa, for maintenance and is hosting small-group tours for the public Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will be given the chance to travel to the bottom of the chamber to see critical repairs of the aging inland waterway navigation infrastructure.

10 Nov 2022

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.

3 Nov 2022

Lock and Dam 21 visitor overlook to close temporarily for winter repairs

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the visitor overlook and parking area at Lock and Dam 21 in Quincy, Illinois, will be closed to the public starting Monday, Nov. 14, to facilitate concrete repairs around the lock. Construction activities are estimated to conclude mid-March 2023. The boat ramp downstream of Lock 21 will remain available for public use during this time. For more information, contact the Muscatine Ranger Station at 563-263-7913 or email mvrodmn16@usace.army.mil.

28 Oct 2022

Lock and Dam 13 boat ramp closed for maintenance

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the public boat ramp located at Lock and Dam 13 north of Fulton, Illinois, will be closed for maintenance starting Monday, Oct. 31. The closure is anticipated to last until Monday, Nov. 7. Boat ramps at Cattail Slough and Big Slough will remain open for access to the Mississippi River during this time. For more information, please contact the Mississippi River Project’s Thomson Ranger Station at 815-259-3628 or email mvrodmn13@usace.army.mil.

1 Jul 2022

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.