19 May 2023

Illinois Waterway Visitor Center closed to public May 22-25

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is temporarily closing the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center May 22-25.

18 May 2023

Three Illinois Waterway locks to close temporarily June 1

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is temporarily closing the Brandon Road, Dresden Island and Marseilles locks on the Illinois Waterway, June 1, to facilitate needed repairs and maintenance. The closures are scheduled to last through Sept. 30 and are being conducted simultaneously to limit impacts to navigation.

14 Apr 2023

Portion of Neal Smith Trail to close for resurfacing at Saylorville Lake

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces a portion of the Neal Smith Trail at Saylorville Lake will temporarily close for resurfacing starting April 17. The closure will extend from the Bob Shetler Ponding Area, north to NW 78th Ave, also referred to as the Saylorville Lake Dam Road. The closure is anticipated to last until May 15. All trail users should stay out of marked construction zones and observe posted signs and fencing. For more information, contact the Saylorville Lake Project Office at 515-276-4656.

13 Mar 2023

Portion of Neal Smith Trail at Saylorville Lake to close for construction work

Due to water and sewer construction work at the Cherry Glen Recreation Area, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is closing a portion of the Neal Smith Trail at Saylorville Lake indefinitely starting March 20.

10 Mar 2023

FREE boating safety courses to be offered at Illinois Waterway Visitor Center

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will offer free boating safety education classes at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at the Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois, April 15, May 20, June 17, July 15, and August 19. Each class will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is open to anyone 11 years of age or older. Completion of only one course is needed for certification.

24 Feb 2023

Lower water levels to be maintained at Saylorville Lake for sedimentation survey

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is scheduled to hold Saylorville lake levels below the normal conservation pool while a sedimentation survey is conducted. While the lake is held at or below an elevation of 834 feet, data collection will take place, likely during the last week of March or first week of April, depending on weather and visibility for the aircraft and instrumentation.

23 Jan 2023

Starved Rock area to host Eagle Watch Weekend, Jan. 28-29

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is hosting an eagle watch event Jan. 28-29. The event is held in partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Raptor Center, Starved Rock Foundation, Starved Rock Audubon and Starved Rock Lodge. Activities will be held at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at Starved Rock Lock and Dam as well as the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center and Starved Rock Lodge.

21 Dec 2022

Weather to cause temporary closures at Saylorville Lake

Due to forecasted weather conditions, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will temporarily close the road that crosses over Saylorville Lake Dam starting at 3 p.m. today. The road will be closed at NW 78th Ave. near the Iowa National Guard Armory to the Saylorville Lake Visitor Center entrance. All Saylorville Lake recreation areas have also been closed to ensure the safety of staff and visitors. The road will reopen when conditions improve, and staff are able to safely clear the roadway. For up-to-date information on area closures, follow us on social media at www.facebook.com/SaylorvilleLake, or contact the Saylorville Lake project office at 515-276-4656.

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.

28 Oct 2022

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.