St. Louis District News Releases

Annual Car Show and Haunted Trail Cancelled

Press Operations — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 20:39:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE – Due to public health concerns over the rise of coronavirus cases in the region, the annual Cruz-In the Dam Car Show, which was to be held on August 14 at Mariner’s Village, is cancelled.

Summer Hunting Opportunities at Carlyle Lake

Press Operations — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 15:55:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE – Carlyle Lake offers a variety of late summer hunting opportunities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources work together to manage public lands and waters at Carlyle Lake. More than 10,000 acres of public lands are open to public hunting to which all-current Illinois game laws and regulations are in effect. All hunters are required to sign in and out daily and record harvest at the nearest hunter sign in box. Access areas are conveniently located around the lake to provide parking and access to public lands. Several wildlife food plots have been planted around the lake. Plots consist of various crops including sunflowers, corn, and other row crops.

US Army Corps of Engineers Campground Openings at Carlyle Lake

Press Operations — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 19:54:00 GMT

Carlyle Lake – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) at Carlyle Lake is pleased to announce the opening of campgrounds at Carlyle Lake for the recreation season at noon on Monday, June 1, 2020. This includes Dam West, Dam East Spillway, McNair, Coles Creek and Boulder campgrounds. In addition, all boat ramps, day use areas, and hiking and biking trails will continue to remain open. The Project Office, Visitor Center, Lotus Group Area, McNair Area C, beaches, playgrounds, and picnic shelters will remain closed. Special events, including USACE-sponsored events, interpretive programs, fishing tournaments, and dam tours are also on hold until further notice. All day use fees are waived through October 1, 2020.

US Army Corps of Engineers Facility Status

Press Operations — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Carlyle Lake – To ensure the safety of our visitors and employees, all U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Kaskaskia Watershed Association to hold Annual Summit

Press Operations — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 19:22:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE - The 20th Annual Kaskaskia Watershed Summit sponsored by the Kaskaskia Watershed Association, Inc. (KWA) will be held Monday, March 2, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Mariners Village Convention Center, Carlyle, Illinois. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. This year’s theme “Efforts and Needs for Continued Watershed Progress” will focus on the resources of the Kaskaskia watershed and their importance in the future.

Carlyle Lake Pool Increase and Release Forecast

Press Operations — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 19:11:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE - As of 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, the pool elevation at Carlyle Lake was 452.10 feet, referenced to the North American Vertical Datum (NAV88), with a release of approximately 8,350 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Temporary Road Closure at Dam East South Shore Recreation Area

Press Operations — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 19:06:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Carlyle Lake Project will temporarily close a portion of the Dam East South Shore roadway beginning Tuesday, January 21, 2020. The closure is necessary to remove a portion of the existing roadway and relocate it to the new roadway that has been constructed on Corps of Engineers property. This is one of several improvements that have been made to the area over the past couple of years. The roadway is expected to reopen this spring once all construction has been completed.

Eagle Watch Event at Case-Halstead Library

Press Operations — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 19:02:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the Case-Halstead Library and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will host Eagle Watch on Saturday, 8 February 2020, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Carlyle Lake Christmas Tree Recycling Project

Press Operations — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 21:29:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Carlyle Lake will be collecting used Christmas trees for the annual Christmas Tree Recycling Project. The Corps of Engineers, along with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, uses these trees to provide effective and economical fish habitat at Carlyle Lake.

Carlyle Lake Increasing Downstream Releases

Press Operations — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 21:26:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE - As of 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 the pool elevation at Carlyle Lake was 446.36 feet, referenced to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD), with a release of approximately 4,790 cubic feet per second (cfs). The inflow for Monday, December 30, 2019 was approximately 11,300 day second feet (dsf). With current precipitation on the ground, Carlyle Lake is expected to crest at less than 447.0 on Wednesday, January 1, 2020. In order to free up flood control storage in the lake and to continue to provide benefits to other project purposes, in accordance with the water control plan, downstream releases will be increased to 5,500 cfs on Tuesday, December 31, 2019, with a maximum release of 7,000 cfs approximately on Monday, January 6, 2020.

2020 Special Events at Carlyle Lake

Press Operations — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 21:22:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE – The Carlyle Lake Project Office in partnership with numerous organizations, agencies, groups, and individuals works hard to organize and host a variety of special events throughout the year. These events would not be possible without the support and dedication from all of our partners, volunteers, and the local community. The Corps is proud to present our 2020 Special Events and the Carlyle Sailing Association’s 2020 Sailing Events. All of these family-friendly events are free and open to the public.

Boundary Maintenance Work at Carlyle Lake

Press Operations — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 14:38:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Carlyle Lake will be performing boundary maintenance work from December 16, 2019 through January 10, 2020 on multiple sections of the boundary line at Carlyle Lake. The boundary line maintenance work will consist of uniformed Park Rangers and volunteers walking the boundary lines, replacing signposts, identifying encroachments on government property, inspecting mowing permits, and clearing brush along the boundary line. The maintenance work is performed annually during the winter months when vegetation is at a minimum. Maintenance is necessary in order to maintain a visible boundary line and to protect the public lands at Carlyle Lake. The areas of emphasis for the 2019-20 boundary maintenance will be from the James Hawn Access Area to the Tamalco Boat Ramp Area.

Carlyle Lake Winter Drawdown

Press Operations — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 18:13:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE – Carlyle Lake has begun its winter drawdown in accordance with the Carlyle Lake Water Control Plan. According to the water control plan, during the winter months the Carlyle Lake pool elevation is to be drawn down to its winter pool of 443.0 ft. NGVD. The water control plan also includes a variance of plus or minus 14 days for the winter drawdown to begin. At winter pool elevation planned work at Carlyle Lake, which requires a lower pool elevation, can begin. The release rate will increase to up to approximatley 2,500 cfs, while still providing flood control downstream until crops have been harvested. The rate of release to accomplish the winter drawdown takes many factors into consideration including pool elevation, reservoir inflow, downstream tributaries, storm events, and downstream farm crop harvest. A steady, low release rate will also allow planned work at the Jerry F. Costello Lock and Dam, Kaskaskia River Project to begin.

Hunter Ethics

Press Operations — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 13:27:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE - With the fall hunting season underway, hunters are reminded of their obligation to practice ethical and safe hunting while in the field. Remember, your personal ethics might not match your neighbors, but certain guidelines do pertain to all hunters.

2019 Water Control Operations/Dam Safety Public Workshop

Press Operations — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 19:56:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a Water Control Operations/Dam Safety Public Workshop on Wednesday, 13 November 2019 at 6:30 p.m. downstairs at the Breese Knights of Columbus Hall, 480 N. Walnut St, Breese, IL.

Firewood Cutting Opportunity at Carlyle Lake

Press Operations — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 19:49:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Carlyle Lake will offer the opportunity for individuals to obtain a Special Use Permit to cut up downed trees for firewood at Boulder and Coles Creek Recreation Areas and Campgrounds. Permits will be available at the Carlyle Lake Project Office from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. beginning October 10, 2019. A total of 20 permits will be issued on a first come first serve basis and there is no charge. Trees will be located throughout the campgrounds and recreation areas, vehicle access will be limited to paved surfaces only. Cutting will be permitted Wednesday through Sunday beginning October 23, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Cutting will not be permitted during the 2019 Illinois Firearm Deer Season dates of November 22nd – 24th and December 5th – December 8th.

Fall Events at Carlyle Lake

Press Operations — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 19:45:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE – Fall is a beautiful time to enjoy the outdoors and the events at Carlyle Lake will keep you busy the entire season! Boulder Campground will be open through 12:00p.m. Monday, 14 October 2019, Dam West and McNair Campgrounds will be open through 12:00p.m. Tuesday, 5 November 2019. Dam East Spillway Campground and Hazlet State Park Campgrounds are open year round.

Carlyle Lake Pool Update

Press Operations — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 13:41:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE - As of 9:00 a.m. on Friday, 23 August 2019 the pool elevation at Carlyle Lake was 450.38 feet, referenced to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD). The current release rate is approximately 4,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The inflow for Thursday, 22 August 2019 was approximately 8,620 day second feet (dsf). With current precipitation on the ground, Carlyle Lake is forecasted to crest at less than 451.0 feet NGVD on Sunday, 25 August 2019.

Weekend Activities at Carlyle Lake

Press Operations — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 16:12:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE – The Carlyle Lake Bike Trail is a fun outdoor activity the whole family can enjoy! The trail offers over sixty miles of federal, state, and county roads to ride as well as a scenic view from atop the Carlyle Lake Main Dam. Maps are available at the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center, the Carlyle Lake Project Office, or online at https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Carlyle-Lake/.

Weekend Activities at Carlyle Lake

Press Operations — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 21:21:00 GMT

CARLYLE LAKE – With school starting, it may feel like the fun of summer is coming to an end, but the recreation season is still going strong at Carlyle Lake. All campgrounds are still open and will be through the fall. All beaches are open until mid-September. There is still plenty to do at the lake and as the temperatures begin to drop outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, kayaking, geocaching, and biking are even more enjoyable. School and work may keep your week busy, but keep Carlyle Lake in mind for your weekend activities.