St. Louis District News Releases

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.

Kaskaskia River Barge Trip

Press Operations — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 15:53:00 GMT

The 2024 Lower Kaskaskia Stakeholders Inc. (LKSI) will be hosting their barge trip on Friday, September 6, 2024, at the Jerry F. Costello Lock & Dam in Modoc, IL (4800 Lock and Dam Road). This trip is reserved only for LKSI members who have reserved a spot by invitation.

Kaskaskia Solar Eclipse

Press Operations — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 15:55:31 GMT

Please join us at the Kaskaskia River Project on Monday, April 8, 2024, for the solar eclipse. Eclipse glasses, one per person, will be available for those joining us while supplies last. The Project, campground, and picnic sites will be open on a first come, first serve basis. Parking will be limited to concrete and paved areas only. Lock tours will also be available at the Visitor Center from staff as they are available.

Recreational Vessel Lockages Are Being Postponed at the Jerry F. Costello Lock and Dam Until Drought Conditions

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 19:37:46 GMT

Beginning Monday, October 16, recreational vessel lockages will not be permitted at the Jerry F. Costello Lock & Dam in Modoc, IL (4800 Lock and Dam Road) until the Kaskaskia River returns to a sustainable level. This action is necessary to manage upstream pool levels for commercial navigation and prevent any unnecessary water loss during historically low water conditions. Anyone needing to use the Lock to gather personal property such as hunting or fishing equipment or for any other personal purposes is urged to do so before Monday. At that time, the Mississippi River will only be accessible from the available boat ramps located directly on the main river channel.

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.

2023 Kaskaskia Eagle Fest

Press Operations — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 16:34:07 GMT

The 2023 Eagle Fest event will be held on Saturday, March 4th from 9am – 3pm at the Jerry F. Costello Lock & Dam in Modoc, IL (4800 Lock and Dam Road). Join us for eagle-watching with spotting scopes and meet some of our feathered friends from the World Bird Sanctuary at 10 and 1. Also be sure to catch the Wildlife presentation given by the Animology at 11 and 2. Tours of Lock and Dam will be available and short interpretive walks will be given downstream from the Lock and Dam. Viewing of an eagle-nest will be available throughout the day from 9 am - 3pm.

Silt build up closes Costello Lock

Press Operations — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 14:53:11 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, Jerry F. Costello Lock closed to traffic on August 19 when it could no longer close its downstream miter gates due to silt and debris build up on the lock sill and chamber.

Kaskaskia River Rough Fish Roundup Bowfishing tournament

Press Operations — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 13:43:37 GMT

The annual Kaskaskia River Rough Fish Round Up is returning to Randolph County for 2022! The annual Bowfishing tournament will be held on Saturday July 16, at the Jerry F. Costello (Kaskaskia) Lock and Dam in Modoc, Ill.

Dredging on the Kaskaskia River

Press Operations — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 15:31:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is announcing that dredging has once again began on the Kaskaskia River from the New Athens, Ill. boat ramp south to the confluence of the Mississippi River. This dredging is intended to remove sediment from boat ramps and the mouths of oxbows on the Kaskaskia River improving access for navigation capabilities, recreation, and promoting economic growth.

Rescheduled Kaskaskia Eagle Fest

Press Operations — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 13:59:12 GMT

The rescheduled 2022 Eagle Fest event will be held on Saturday, March 12th from 9am – 3pm at the Jerry F. Costello Lock & Dam in Modoc, Ill. (4800 Lock and Dam Road). All vendors were able to join us for the new date, so it is sure to be a great day to get out and enjoy!

Kaskaskia Eagle Fest

Press Operations — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 19:56:00 GMT

The 2022 Kaskaskia Eagle Fest event will be held on Saturday, February 5 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Jerry F. Costello Lock & Dam in Modoc, Ill.

Kaskaskia Eagle Fest

Press Operations — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 15:00:42 GMT

Kaskaskia River Project — The annual 2020 Eagle Fest event will be held Saturday, February 1 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Jerry F. Costello Lock & Dam in Modoc, IL (4800 Lock and Dam Road).

Army Corps of Engineers promotes water safety this summer season

Press Operations — Mon, 20 May 2019 18:29:00 GMT

Summer is almost here and that means millions of Americans will be planning visits to our nation’s lakes and rivers. As the steward of many of these public waters, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) reminds visitors to be aware of the importance of practicing safe, sensible and thoughtful activities in and around the water.

2017 Kaskaskia Eagle Fest

Press Operations — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 18:04:00 GMT

The 2017 Eagle Fest event will be held on Saturday, February 4th from 9am – 3pm at the Jerry F. Costello Lock & Dam in Modoc, IL (4800 Lock and Dam Road).

2016 Kaskaskia Eagle Fest

Press Operations — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 18:04:49 GMT

The Kaskaskia River Project 2016 Eagle Fest event will be held on Saturday, March 5th from 9am – 3pm at the Jerry F. Costello Lock & Dam in Modoc, Ill. (4800 Lock and Dam Road)

Public Meetings to be held regarding the Carlyle Lake & Kaskaskia River Project Master Plan Updates

Press Operations — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 17:05:16 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Carlyle Lake/Kaskaskia River Project, will host three public workshops next week. This will conclude a series of five workshops regarding Master Plan updates for Carlyle Lake and the Kaskaskia River Project. The public is invited to attend these workshops on the Master Plan update process and afford the opportunity to receive input from the public about their issues and concerns regarding the future management of Carlyle Lake and the Kaskaskia River Project.

Corps of Engineers closes locks due to high water

Press Operations — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 19:14:46 GMT

Due to high water, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District closed Mississippi River Locks 24 in Clarksville and 25 in Winfield, as well as Jerry F. Costello Lock and Dam on the Kaskaskia River.

Lock and Dam and Recreational Facilities Closing

Press Operations — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 16:02:00 GMT

Current flooding conditions on the Kaskaskia River are causing the closure of the Corps operated Day Use and Camping areas. The maximum regulated pool elevation is 368.8, in reference to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD), and currently the Kaskaskia River is at 376.50 NGVD. Once the Kaskaskia River has reached the critical elevation of 380.5 the Lock and Dam will also close. Predictions currently forecast a crest of 381.5 feet NGVD and 35.4 feet at Chester on the Mississippi River on June 20th. Once the Mississippi River has crested and there is no more significant precipitation the river levels will fall. The facilities located at the Kaskaskia River Project will reopen as soon as flood water recedes and cleanup is finished.

Kaskaskia Watershed Association to hold Annual Summit

Press Operations — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 20:26:43 GMT

The Kaskaskia Watershed Association, Inc. (KWA) will hold the Annual Summit on Monday, March 9, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Mariner’s Village Conference Center, 1 Resort Drive, Carlyle, Illinois. This year’s theme “New Opportunities Built on Past Successes,” will focus on new projects and past successes in the Kaskaskia River and the Kaskaskia Watershed.

Kaskaskia Eagle Fest

Press Operations — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 22:36:57 GMT

Kaskaskia River Project— Eagle Fest event will be held on Saturday, February 7th, 2015 from 9am – 3pm at the Jerry F. Costello Lock & Dam in Modoc, IL (4800 Lock and Dam Road).