Mississippi Valley Division News Releases

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers launches nationwide Recreation Operational Status website

Press Operations — Thu, 22 May 2025 10:53:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has launched its Recreation Operational Status website to keep the public informed about the operational status of USACE recreation areas nationwide.

Auxiliary Lock to open for season at Lock 14

Press Operations — Mon, 16 May 2022 18:51:00 GMT

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 27 for recreational boating traffic. Every weekend until Sept. 5, the lock will be open for recreational use on Fridays from 4-10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from Noon-10 p.m. In addition, the auxiliary lock will be open Noon-10 p.m. on the Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day holidays and until midnight on Friday, August 12, to assist recreational boaters attending Tugfest activities and the fireworks display.

Corps of Engineers to host ribbon cutting at Lake Ashtabula visitor center

Press Operations — Mon, 09 May 2022 15:41:00 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, will celebrate the reopening of its newly renovated visitor center at its Lake Ashtabula Dam and Recreation Area, as well as the site’s 70th anniversary, with a ribbon cutting ceremony May 18, at 11 a.m.

Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary to Host Walk for Wildlife 5K Benefitting Local Wildlife

Press Operations — Mon, 09 May 2022 12:14:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project Office, is partnering with the Audubon Center at Riverlands and TreeHouse Wildlife Rehabilitation Center to host the second annual Walk for Wildlife event on Saturday, May 14 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This fun-run style walk will benefit the TreeHouse Wildlife Center during the peak spring baby season while also supporting the conservation education team at the Audubon Center at Riverlands.

Corps continues to delay the opening of Lake Ashtabula campground due to flooding

Press Operations — Tue, 03 May 2022 15:01:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, will continue to delay the opening of the campground facilities at Lake Ashtabula due to impacts from flooding until May 19.

St. Louis District reminds visitors to practice water safety

Press Operations — Mon, 02 May 2022 12:32:00 GMT

As millions of Americans plan visits to our nation’s lakes and rivers, the St. Louis District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors of the importance of practicing safe, sensible, and thoughtful activities in, on, and around open water. Tragically, people lose their lives while visiting USACE-managed lands and waters every year. Most of the tragedies are water related. The public’s help is needed to reduce the number of fatalities at the more than 2,800 USACE-managed recreation areas nationwide. USACE personnel stress the importance of water safety year-round when talking with visitors, but especially during the summer season because that is when most public recreation fatalities occur.

Traildogs take a bite out of thistle weed at USACE Vicksburg District’s Lake Ouachita

Press Operations — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 18:18:00 GMT

VICKSBURG, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District’s Lake Ouachita Vista Trail recently saw aesthetic improvements thanks to volunteers.

Park Rangers Offer Public Tours of Lock and Dam 24 in Conjunction with Eagle Days

Press Operations — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 22:31:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project Office, is partnering with the City of Clarksville to bring additional experiences to their annual Clarksville Eagle Days. Throughout the two-day event, USACE Park Rangers will offer free public tours of Lock and Dam 24, which is not typically open for public touring.

USACE Vicksburg District, Corps Foundation recognize volunteer duo for 14 years of excellent service

Press Operations — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 20:57:00 GMT

VICKSBURG, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District recently recognized Lake Ouachita volunteers Windell and Carolyn Belford with the Volunteer Excellence Coin for their 14 years of exemplary service at Denby Point Recreation Area.

USACE Vicksburg District announces changes for annual Eagle Watch and Fish Habitat Days

Press Operations — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 21:16:00 GMT

VICKSBURG, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District announces the Mississippi lakes will not hold in-person Eagle Watch or Fish Habitat Day events this year due to Covid-19 transmission concerns.

Army Corps of Engineers waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Veterans Day

Press Operations — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 17:54:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will waive day use fees at its more than 2,850 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in observance of Veterans Day, Nov. 11. This includes areas the St. Louis District operates within the Area of Operation.

Army Corps of Engineers waives fees and invites volunteers to participate in National Public Lands Day, Sept. 25

Press Operations — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 14:19:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will waive day use fees

Corps continues to monitor its Mississippi River Headwaters reservoirs

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 17:55:00 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, continues to monitor water levels at its Mississippi River Headwaters reservoirs. The water levels in the reservoirs, except for Pokegama Lake, are below the summer target level, which is the level maintained for water supply, environmental and recreational benefits. All reservoirs are releasing the minimum flow. The Corps urges boaters to go slow and use caution in lower-than-normal lakes levels.

Corps of Engineers to offer two opportunities to tour largest diesel towboat in the U.S.

Press Operations — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 14:50:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is hosting two public open house events this week aboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi. The first will be held Tuesday, Aug. 10 from 1-5 p.m. at River Heritage Park in Davenport, Iowa. The second will be held Wednesday, Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. along the Mississippi Riverwalk at the Port of Dubuque, in Dubuque, Iowa, next the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium.

Corps of Engineers to host Lock and Dam 4 open house

Press Operations — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 18:44:00 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is hosting an open house at Lock and Dam 4, in Alma, Wisconsin, Saturday, July 31, to coincide with the city’s Swiss Heritage Days.

John Hay Recreation Area closing temporarily

Press Operations — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 18:51:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is temporarily closing the John Hay Recreation Area in East Hannibal, Illinois, to public access starting July 6. The closure, which is anticipated to last until September 15, is needed to facilitate ongoing wing dam repairs in Pool 22. No public river access or day use will be available during the closure as maintenance crews will be using the area to stage large amounts of rock and load it onto barges for placement in the river.

USACE Vicksburg District temporarily closes Jonesville Park Landing

Press Operations — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT

VICKSBURG, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District will temporarily close Jonesville Park Landing in Jonesville, Louisiana, from 6 a.m., Saturday, June 19, 2021, to 7 a.m., Monday, June 21, 2021. Alternative locations to Jonesville Park Landing for recreating and boating during the time of temporary closure are Little River, Harrisonburg Recreation Area and Clayton Landing.

USACE Vicksburg District temporarily closes north Mississippi lake recreation areas due to high water

Press Operations — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 22:28:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District has temporarily closed recreation areas at its four lakes in north Mississippi – Grenada, Enid, Sardis, and Arkabutla – due to high water from recent rainfall.

Illinois Waterway Visitor Center reopens to public

Press Operations — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 21:03:00 GMT

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.

Auxiliary Lock at Lock 14 Opens May 28

Press Operations — Thu, 20 May 2021 20:34:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the opening of the auxiliary lock, located at Locks and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, May 28 for recreational boating traffic.