St. Louis District News Releases

USACE releases draft Environmental Assessment for Little Grassy Lake Dam Safety Modification Study

Press Operations — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:05:21 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, on behalf of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released the draft Environmental Assessment for the Little Grassy Lake Dam Safety Modification Study for a 30-day public review and comment period starting July 28. The draft Environmental Assessment evaluates alternatives to reduce dam safety risks at Little Grassy Lake Dam while considering potential effects on the environment, cultural resources, recreation and the surrounding community. The study will help identify a Risk Management Plan that effectively reduces unacceptable dam safety risks while balancing environmental and public interests.

Army Corps of Engineers celebrates World Ranger Day July 31

Press Operations — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will recognize World Ranger Day July 31. This annual worldwide celebration commemorates rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and highlights our rangers' vital roles in environmental stewardship, public safety and managing some of the nation's premier water-based recreation areas.

34th Annual Cruz-In the Dam Car Show Returns to Carlyle Lake

Press Operations — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 17:50:00 GMT

Car enthusiasts from across the region are invited to the 34th Annual Cruz-In the Dam Car Show Nationals on Friday, August 14, 2026, at Mariner's Village Resort in the Dam West Recreation Area in Carlyle, Illinois. More than 400 vehicles from throughout southern Illinois are expected to be on display, including custom cars, Pro Street builds, 4x4s, trucks, street machines, race cars, motorcycles, and more.

Rend Lake Dam Road temporarily closed July 22

Press Operations — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 20:16:00 GMT

The Rend Lake Dam Road will be temporarily closed to all traffic on Wednesday, July 22 beginning at 7 a.m. through 5 p.m. for a routine safety inspection.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers gauge website outage affects St. Louis District water level information

Press Operations — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:39:41 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, is responding to a widespread outage affecting the Mississippi River Basin Gauge Table website. Water level information for reservoirs, lakes, rivers, locks and dams, and other monitored locations is temporarily unavailable for the St. Louis District. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers information technology personnel are working to identify the cause of the outage and restore service. The district will notify the public when the website is fully operational.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Army Corps of Engineers’ Birthday

Press Operations — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 20:39:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it will waive day use fees at its more than 2,800 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in observance of its birthday, June 16. The waiver covers fees for boat launch ramps and swimming beaches. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities (group picnic shelters) and events. Other agencies that manage recreation areas on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the waiver in the areas that they manage.

USACE to demolish former French Quarter clubhouse to reach suspected contamination

Press Operations — Fri, 08 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, plans to demolish the former clubhouse at the closed French Quarter apartment complex in Hazelwood as part of ongoing cleanup efforts under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). USACE determined demolition is necessary to safely access and remediate contaminated material located directly beneath the structure and below the ground surface near the structure.

U.S. Army Corps launches Love Your Levee campaign to highlight levees and flood risk across the St. Louis region

Press Operations — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:59:46 GMT

As communities in our region continue to face seasonal flood and severe weather risks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, in partnership with the Kaskaskia Island Drainage & Levee District, will launch the Love Your Levee campaign in May 2026 to increase public understanding of levees and flood risk across the St. Louis region.

Access Update for Ken Kenney’s at Lake Shelbyville

Press Operations — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:45:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is updating the public access to Ken Kenney’s at Lake Shelbyville, commonly labeled as Site #46 on USACE hunting and fishing maps. The roadway leading to the site is privately owned and is not a designated public access route.

Carlyle Lake Facilities Opening Soon

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:07:00 GMT

Spring has arrived, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) facilities at Carlyle Lake will soon open for the 2026 recreation season. This includes the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center, campgrounds, and fish cleaning stations, all of which enrich the visitor experience and offer excellent recreational opportunities on public lands.

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.

Volunteers Needed for Fish Habitat Improvement Projects at Carlyle Lake

Press Operations — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:20:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the Carlyle Lake Education Habitat and Preservation (CLEHP) group and community volunteers, will host two volunteer workdays in March to improve fish habitat and enhance fisheries at Carlyle Lake.

Applications open for 36th annual Lake Shelbyville Deer Hunt for Disabled Hunters and Wounded Warriors

Press Operations — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:27:45 GMT

The 36th Annual Deer Hunt for People with Disabilities, hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Wolf Creek State Park will be held Nov.20 through Nov. 22, 2026. Applications are available at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office, online at http://tinyurl.com/LakeShelbyville-Hunting, or by mail by contacting the Environmental Stewardship Department at 217-774-3951, ext. 7049.

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works announces ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ initiative for the Army’s Civil Works program

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:05:00 GMT

Today, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Adam Telle, announced a major initiative, “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Civil Works program. “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” will provide greater focus on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) core Civil Works missions, while minimizing non-core programs, direct funding to priority water resources projects that will provide the greatest benefits to the nation, shorten permitting timelines, and reduce or eliminate extraneous regulations and paperwork that slow USACE’s delivery of Civil Works projects and programs.

Kaskaskia Eagle Fest Set for March 7 at Jerry F. Costello Lock & Dam

Press Operations — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:34:00 GMT

The Kaskaskia River Project will host Kaskaskia Eagle Fest on Saturday, March 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jerry F. Costello Lock and Dam, 4800 Lock and Dam Road, Modoc.

Forrest W. “Bo” Wood Area Temporarily Closed

Press Operations — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:00:00 GMT

The Bo Wood Recreation Area will be closed February 17 through February 20. This closure includes the entire area, including the entrance road, dog park, and boat ramp. Access will not be permitted for either vehicle or pedestrian traffic during this time.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin demolition of six homes in Cades Cove neighborhood

Press Operations — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 17:24:02 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, will begin the demolition of six homes in the Cades Cove neighborhood of Florissant, starting Feb. 9, 2026. This demolition is a critical step in ongoing efforts to remediate legacy contamination from the early atomic energy program and to protect the health and safety of the community. The homes, located along Coldwater Creek, were identified as being within areas affected by historical contamination. The USACE Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program is responsible for the cleanup of the contamination within the St. Louis Airport Sites Vicinity Properties. Demolition of these structures is necessary to safely reach and remove contaminated soils beneath the foundations.

St. Louis District announces commercial concession opportunity at Carlyle Lake

Press Operations — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 21:15:27 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, is pleased to announce an exciting commercial concession opportunity at Carlyle Lake, Illinois’ largest man-made lake. The Corps of Engineers is seeking qualified applicants to develop and operate facilities and services in the Dam East Recreation Area aimed at enhancing visitor experiences while supporting local economic growth. The selected concessionaire will be authorized to operate within an approximately 3.44-acre lease area at 13551 Dam East Access Road, Carlyle, Ill., 62231. An approximately 40-by-80-foot building is available at the site, along with water, electric, communication and data utility services.

Eagle Watch at Case-Halstead Library

Press Operations — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Eagle Watch, a collaboration between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Carlyle Lake Project and Case-Halstead Public Library, will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The World Bird Sanctuary will present two "All About Eagles" programs, one at 9:30 a.m. and another at 10:30 a.m., featuring a live bald eagle and offering a closer look at the fascinating nature of this iconic species.

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.