Headquarters U.S. Army Corps of Engineers News Releases

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeks public comments on potential future changes to the nationwide permits

Press Operations — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 20:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced on March 16 that it is seeking input from all interested parties on ways to increase the efficiency of the nationwide permit program.

Corps seeks input on revised Coralville Lake Water Control Plan, plans virtual open house events

Press Operations — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 22:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District is finalizing the Coralville Lake Water Control Plan and is seeking public input. Two virtual open house events will be hosted to offer a question and answer opportunity for the public and gather feedback about the updated plan. The first virtual event will be held Thursday, Feb. 25, at 5 p.m. and the second will be Thursday, March 4, at 5 p.m.

Corps to host virtual public open house for Nahant Marsh master plan project

Press Operations — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 18:41:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District, in cooperation with the Nahant Marsh Education Center, will host a virtual open house, Dec. 10 from 4-6 p.m. to discuss current features of the Nahant Marsh preserve and gather input from the public on future capabilities of the site.

Public walkway at Locks and Dam 14 to close for construction

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 16:22:00 GMT

Starting Dec. 1, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District will close the walkway located along the riverfront at Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, for construction until Nov. 21, 2021. The extended closure is necessary for demolition of the existing structure and construction of a new, concrete walkway.

Corps to reduce outflows, begin repairs to Saylorville Lake outlet channel

Press Operations — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 20:53:00 GMT

Over the next few weeks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District will be modifying outflows at Saylorville Lake to facilitate repairs in the outlet channel below the dam. At times, outflows will be reduced to zero to accommodate concrete placement and curing. Ongoing coordination with downstream communities is underway to ensure successful completion of the work with minimal impacts to these areas.

Illinois Waterway reopens to navigation, construction complete

Press Operations — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 19:29:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces today that construction is complete and the Illinois Waterway locks have reopened to navigation after a series of extended, consolidated closures.

Corps invites public to participate in “Discover the Illinois Waterway” online virtual forum

Press Operations — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 17:13:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District is inviting public participation in an online virtual discussion forum titled “Discover the Illinois Waterway” Oct. 29 from 9 a.m.-noon.

North Overlook Picnic Shelter Reservable for 2021 Recreation Season

Press Operations — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 20:05:00 GMT

KNOXVILLE, Iowa -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District has reopened the North Overlook Picnic Shelter for reservations for the 2021 recreation season. The shelter was intermittently closed to the public since Fall 2014 due to construction of the new Red Rock Hydropower Project. Reservations can be made up to a year in advance by visiting Recreation One Stop online at www.recreation.gov or by calling toll free at 1-877-444-6777. The shelter will remain available only on a first-come, first-served basis for the remainder of the 2020 season. For more information, please contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake Red Rock office at (641) 828-7522.

North Tailwater Recreation Area to reopen below Lake Red Rock Dam

Press Operations — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 14:36:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District will reopen for public use the North Tailwater Recreation Area below Lake Red Rock Dam Oct. 1. The area has been closed since Fall 2014 due to construction of the new Red Rock Hydropower Project.

Smith’s Island Recreation Area Closed Until Further Notice

Press Operations — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 15:42:00 GMT

Due to safety concerns related to storm damage, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has closed the Smith’s Island Recreation Area until further notice.

Volksweg Trail Extension Now Open to Cordova Park

Press Operations — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 18:43:00 GMT

The newest section of the Volksweg Trail at Lake Red Rock is now complete and open to the public. This extension adds an additional 2.5 miles of trail from the Roberts Creek trailhead west to Cordova County Park. The full length of the Volksweg is now over 17 miles.

Swimming Not Recommended at Lake Red Rock Beaches

Press Operations — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 16:04:00 GMT

Due to elevated bacteria levels, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District does not recommend swimming at the North Overlook and Whitebreast beaches at Lake Red Rock.

Swimming Not Recommended at Lake Red Rock Beaches

Press Operations — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 16:04:00 GMT

Due to elevated bacteria levels, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District does not recommend swimming at the North Overlook and Whitebreast beaches at Lake Red Rock.

Swimming Not Recommended at Lake Red Rock’s North Overlook Beach

Press Operations — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 17:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District is recommending no swimming at Lake Red Rock’s North Overlook Beach due to elevated bacterial counts.

Lock Closure Viewing Available at Illinois Waterway Visitor Center Outdoor Area

Press Operations — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 18:40:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District announces that the outdoor viewing area at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center in Ottawa, Illinois, is open for viewing the ongoing construction work at Starved Rock Lock and Dam.

Corps of Engineers to Increase Coralville Lake Outflows

Press Operations — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 20:54:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is preparing to temporarily increase outflows at the Coralville Reservoir. This minor deviation to normal operations, which will occur on or around June 30 depending on precipitation in the area, was implemented due to recent rainfall on already saturated soils that has resulted in high inflows into Coralville Reservoir.

Closures to Illinois Waterway Locks remain set for July 1

Press Operations — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 20:40:00 GMT

Beginning July 1, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District is temporarily closing the Dresden Island, Marseilles, Starved Rock, Peoria and LaGrange locks on the Illinois Waterway to facilitate needed repairs and maintenance. The closures, which will be conducted simultaneously to limit impacts to navigation, are scheduled to last through late October.

Coralville Lake Picnic Shelters Open to First-Come, First Served

Press Operations — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 16:07:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District will open picnic shelters at Coralville Lake on a first-come, first-served basis beginning June 19. Reservations will not be accepted and users are asked to select shelters based on their current occupancy and availability.

John Hay Recreation Area in East Hannibal Temporarily Closed

Press Operations — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 20:58:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, has temporarily closed the John Hay Recreation Area in East Hannibal, Illinois, until further notice. The closure, which is anticipated to last until later this fall, will allow maintenance crews to transport rock and heavy equipment into the area for wing dam repairs in Pool 22 of the Mississippi River.

Corps to open Lock and Dam 14 Auxiliary Lock and modify zone designation in the LeClaire Canal

Press Operations — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 19:47:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi River Project will open the Locks and Dam 14 auxiliary lock in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, for weekend recreational boating traffic beginning June 12 and running through Sept. 7.