St. Louis District News Releases

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Recognizes National Hydropower Day and Highlights Public-Private Energy Partnerships

Press Operations — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:40:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is proud to recognize National Hydropower Day, Aug. 24. For more than 140 years, the USACE Hydropower Program has been providing the nation with ready, reliable, and resilient energy. USACE is the largest owner and operator of hydroelectric power plants in the United States, generating more than 25% of the nation’s hydropower and ranking among the nation’s top 10 power producers overall.

Halloween Walk Ticket Sales

Press Operations — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

August 9, 2025, Mark Twain Lake – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake are announcing that the Indian Creek Halloween Walk admittance will be by advance tickets only. Tickets are $10.00 per vehicle. The Indian Creek Halloween Walk for 2025, is scheduled for Friday, October 17, 2025 (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and Saturday, October 18, 2025 (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.).

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.

Register for Kid’s Fishing Day on June 6, 2026

Press Operations — Tue, 12 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

MARK TWAIN LAKE, Mo – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at Mark Twain Lake, will host Kid’s Fishing Day on June 6, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for youth between the ages of five and 12 in celebration of Missouri Free Fishing Days June 6 and 7.

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.

Reservations for the Annual Halloween Walk to Open June 4

Press Operations — Thu, 07 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

MARK TWAIN LAKE – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake will host its annual Halloween Walk Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17, in the Indian Creek Campground.

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.

Fish Cleaning Stations Open for the Season at Mark Twain Lake

Press Operations — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

April 10, 2026, Mark Twain Lake – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake are excited to announce that all fish Cleaning Stations are open for the season. The station locations include Ray Behrens, Spalding Ramp, Stoutsville, and the Indian Creek West Ramp station. A new station is currently under construction at the Indian Creek East Campground.

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.