6 Aug 2015

Blue - Green Algae at Saylorville Lake

Johnston, Iowa - Sandpiper and Oak Grove Beaches at Saylorville Lake have been closed in response to the presence of a blue-green algae bloom which has the potential to impact the health of humans and their pets. Routine water quality monitoring performed at the lake has identified high levels of microcystin, a compound produced by blue-green algae under certain environmental conditions.

14 Jul 2015

Acorn Valley Youth Camping Area

Johnston, Iowa - Nestled in the upland timber of Acorn Valley Campground at Saylorville Lake sets the perfect outdoor adventure opportunity for youth. The site provides a remote setting for organized youth groups looking for an opportunity to tent camp without the impact of neighbors and experience a degree of primitive camping.

22 Jun 2015

Illinois Waterway Visitor Center Reopens

Ottawa, Ill. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District announces the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center located at Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois has reopened to visitors after high water had restricted access to the building last week.

16 Jun 2015

Illinois Waterway Visitor Center Announces Temporary Closure

Ottawa, Ill. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has temporarily closed the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center located at Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois, due to high water on the Illinois River

15 Jun 2015

Junior Ranger Day Camp

Johnston, Iowa - Calling all future 4th and 5th graders! Saylorville Lake is holding a nature camp for you. Explore and discover while making friends and having fun learning basic nature safety, history, and environmental stewardship skills.

15 May 2015

Corps Promotes Emerald Ash Borer Awareness for Memorial Day Weekend

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will be wrapping ash trees at recreation areas including Saylorville Lake, Lake Red Rock, Coralville Lake and the Mississippi River Project to bring awareness of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) to visitors during the Memorial Day weekend. Each ash tree wrapped will show the detrimental effects the EAB could have on recreation areas in the Rock Island District if infestations are allowed to spread.

15 Apr 2015

Saylorville Lake “No Motorized Vessel Zone”

Johnston, Iowa - There is a new boating policy on Saylorville Lake for 2015. This policy is for a seasonal; “No Motorized Vessel Zone” north of the Mile Long Bridge, in the very shallow upper reaches of the reservoir, locally identified as the “mud flats” from April 1st to August 31st during periods of near normal conservation pools (below 840’ NGVD).

2 Apr 2015

Saylorville Lake Earth Day Celebration

Johnston, Iowa - Saturday, April 18, 2015 11am – 3pm Saylorville Lake Visitor Center FREE Celebrate the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Saylorville Lake. Help clean up the environment and preserve the natural beauty at Saylorville Lake. Volunteers can meet a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center where they will provide gloves, trash bags and get you started on your project.

24 Mar 2015

Illinois Waterway Visitor offering a free boating safety course

Ottawa, IL - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Illinois Waterway Visitor will be offering a free Illinois DNR boating safety course. The class will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 11. This 8-hour class is required to receive your state of Illinois Safe Boating certification. The class will be held at Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at the Starved Rock Lock and Dam along Dee Bennett Road between Ottawa and Utica.

6 Mar 2015

Big Creek Lake Gate Replacement Project

Johnston, Iowa - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced that Jenson Construction Company plans to begin mobilizing construction equipment & material at the Big Creek Diversion Dam in the next 2-3 weeks. During various stages of mobilization and construction, access into Big Creek State Park from Broadway (Old Hwy 415) and across the dam will be limited to one lane with traffic controls. The Neal Smith Trail will be open, but will merge with the one lane traffic across the dam.