St. Louis District News Releases

Repurpose Your Live Christmas Trees for Fish Habitat

Press Operations — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 22:16:00 GMT

Repurpose your live Christmas tree by donating it to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rend Lake Project for fish habitat. Donated trees will be bundled together and placed underwater in Rend Lake, providing fish habitat and improving angling opportunities.

Temporary Area Closures During Firearm Deer Seasons at Rend Lake

Press Operations — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 19:04:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake wishes to inform visitors that several recreation areas will be temporarily closed during the state firearm deer hunting seasons.

Rend Lake Dam West Boat Ramp Closed for Special Event May 1 & 2, 2025

Press Operations — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 14:22:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rend Lake Project will temporarily close public access to Dam West Boat Ramp and Recreation Area from sunrise to 3:00 pm on Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2. This closure is to accommodate the Rend Lake Get Outdoors Event, which invites 1,500 students and teachers from across Southern Illinois for special outdoor education programs.

Student Employment Open House at Rend Lake Coming Up

Press Operations — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:17:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is recruiting for Student Trainee Intern Positions (Pathways Interns) for the 2025 recreation season. The Pathways Internship Program provides paid opportunities to explore federal careers while still in school.

Rend Lake Dam Road Temporarily Closing for Roadwork September 30 – November 3, 2024

Press Operations — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 15:13:00 GMT

The Rend Lake Dam Road will be closed to through traffic from September 30 through November 3, 2024 for major roadwork and necessary concrete repairs on the Spillway Bridge. Starting at 8:00am September 30, engineers will be onsite for concrete abutment repairs on the Spillway Bridge.

Portion of Rend Lake Bike Trail Closing for Archery Event

Press Operations — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 15:06:00 GMT

Rend Lake College is hosting the USA Archery Collegiate 3D Regionals at North Marcum Archery Complex September 20-22, 2024. An estimated 130 shooters from 8 colleges and 3 states will be participating in the three-day event at Rend Lake.

Rend Lake Spillway Dedication Lot Closing for Maintenance

Press Operations — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 14:08:00 GMT

The Rend Lake Spillway Dedication Lot, on the south side of the Dam Road will close for pavement maintenance at 8:00am Wednesday, September 18, 2024 and reopen on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 8:00am. This closure is necessary for parking lot resealing and striping.

Rend Lake Dam Road Closed Starting January 10 for Maintenance

Press Operations — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 19:22:26 GMT

The Rend Lake Dam Road will temporarily close to all traffic beginning at 7 a.m., Wednesday, January 10 for bridge maintenance. This closure will remain through midsummer until maintenance work is complete. Work will consist of installation of new traffic barrier terminals, installation of steel bridge railing, construction of new concrete curbs, and cleaning, sandblasting, and painting of all structural steel on the spillway bridge.

Repurpose Your Live Christmas Tree for Fish Habitat

Press Operations — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:27:41 GMT

Repurpose your live Christmas tree by donating it to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rend Lake Project for fish habitat. Donated trees will be bundled together and placed in the lake to create underwater fish structures that improves fish habitat and angling opportunities.

Rend Lake Announces the 2024 Small World Program Schedule

Press Operations — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:24:00 GMT

Each month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake hosts a Small World environmental education program designed for children five years old and younger, at the Rend Lake Visitor Center. This popular series will continue in 2024 with old favorites and new program offerings. Small World Programs are offered the third Tuesday of each month at 10:00 AM and are free to the public. Each month, a new theme is explored through a story, craft, and activity. While the programs are designed for children five years old and younger, all ages are welcome to attend. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Student Internship Opportunities at Rend Lake for Summer 2024

Press Operations — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:18:49 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rend Lake Project is seeking qualified candidates to fill student internship vacancies for the 2024 summer recreation season. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers a great work experience opportunity for students currently enrolled at accredited institutions interested in careers related to the biological sciences, natural resources, park and recreation management, or law enforcement.

Rend Lake North Sandusky Day Use Temporarily Closed for Shoreline Maintenance

Press Operations — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 16:38:04 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake will close the North Sandusky Day Use Area for shoreline maintenance on November 7, 2023. The North Sandusky Day Use Area will be temporarily closed to all foot, vehicle, and boat traffic beginning at 8:00 AM on November 7th, 2023, until shoreline stabilization operations are completed. The work is expected to be completed by 5:00 PM on November 9th, 2023. The effected area will have posted closure signs for foot and vehicle traffic. The North Sandusky Boat Ramp will remain open and available to the public.

Temporary Area Closures during Firearm Deer Seasons at Rend Lake

Press Operations — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 16:35:26 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake reminds visitors that many locations on Rend Lake will be closed during the state firearm deer hunting seasons. The following recreation areas will be temporarily closed to all vehicle and foot traffic during the first firearm deer season, November 17-19, 2023. Areas affected by the closure include: North Sandusky day use area, boat ramp, and campground; South Sandusky day use area, campground, beach and boat ramp; South Marcum day use area and campground; Blackberry Nature Trail; and North Marcum Archery Complex, Mountain Bike Trails, and North Marcum Bike Trails. These areas will be utilized by persons involved in the annual Rend Lake Deer Hunt for Persons with Disabilities and will remain closed as a safety precaution.

Trick or Treat the Rend Lake Visitor Center October 31

Press Operations — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 19:21:53 GMT

Visitors of all ages are welcome to attend the Trick or Treat the Visitor Center event on October 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rend Lake Visitor Center. The event will feature several family friendly activities designed to educate and entertain participants.

Rend Lake Beaches and Other Recreation Areas Closing for the Season

Press Operations — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 19:18:54 GMT

Several recreation areas managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake will be closing for the season.

Nature-based Yoga for Kids and Adults Offered at Rend Lake Visitor Center

Press Operations — Mon, 15 May 2023 14:52:45 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake has partnered with a local certified yoga instructor to offer free children’s yoga classes for children 5-12 years old at the Rend Lake Visitor Center as part of the six-week series “Story and Stretch.” Each week, there will be a kid-friendly themed yoga pose, a story, and coloring sheet. Sessions will be located outdoors near the Visitor Center Pollinator Garden, weather permitting, at 2:00pm on Sundays starting May 14. Participants should bring their own yoga mat or blanket. Upcoming dates for “Story and Stretch” are May 14, 21, 28, June 4, 11, and 18; each session will require prior registration. Email amandamarieyogaclass@gmail.com to register. Adult supervision is required.

Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors to practice water safety

Press Operations — Mon, 08 May 2023 19:11:00 GMT

As millions of Americans plan visits to our nation’s lakes and rivers, the 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.

Boater Safety Course Offered at Rend Lake Visitor Center

Press Operations — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 12:54:57 GMT

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Alton Pool Flotilla 34 is hosting a Boat America Boater Safety Course at the Rend Lake Visitor Center on April 22, 2023, from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The successful completion of the course results in a boater safety certificate. In Illinois, those born after January 1, 1998, are required to complete the course to operate a boat. In Missouri, the date is January 1, 1984. Many insurance companies offer discounts on boat insurance to boaters who successfully complete the Boat America course. The $25.00 course fee includes the Boat America textbook with study guide, course exam, Boating Safely certificate, and a Boating Safely wallet card. There is a $5 additional fee for each additional person after a textbook has been purchased, which covers the exam, certificate, and wallet card.

Rend Lake's Annual Beach Blast, June 11

Press Operations — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 13:33:56 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is hosting the annual Beach Blast at South Sandusky Beach from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday June 11. Join Park Rangers for a day of safety and fun in the sun. Beach Blast includes the best of beach day activities; there will be beach games, a DJ with family friendly music all day, a sand sculpture contest, an ice cream truck, and an appearance by Bobber the Water Safety Dog. Our local emergency response personal will also be on site for other fun hands-on demonstrations. Abbott-EMS and Sesser Fire will display their emergency equipment and vehicles, and at 1 p.m. there will be an Air-Evac helicopter landing near the beach and opportunities for a photo-op in the helicopter.

Rend Lake Dam Road Closed for Routine Inspection

Press Operations — Mon, 09 May 2022 12:22:21 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake will close the Rend Lake Dam Road to all through traffic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Access to the South Marcum Recreation Area, Spillway Recreation Area, and the Dedication Lot on the east end of the Rend Lake Dam will remain open. Watch for closure signs at Sugar Creek parking lot and the west entrance to the Rend Lake Dam.