Campgrounds, day-use parks and boat ramps operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Rock Island District will close because the federal government shut down Tuesday, October 1st, 2013.
The corps district is expected to continue to operate locks and dams on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers under the normal schedule. Reservoir operations of water control features at Saylorville, Red Rock and Coralville, Iowa will continue, as would emergency response efforts and other work deemed mission essential.
The Rock Island District of the Army Corps of Engineers employes approximately 815 workers, and only 340 of those employees' positions are considered mission-essential. The remainder face furlough if the government is shut down.
Tuesday, all corps-operated campgrounds, day-use parks and boat ramps will close. Visitors will be required to vacate campgrounds by 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 2, 2013 and no new visitors or reservations will be accepted until the shutdown ends.
"We regret the impacts of these required actions on the recreating public, and will make every attempt to inform the public when these facilities reopen," said a spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District.
If a shutdown happens, customers with reservations will be allowed to cancel for a full refund and campers will receive refunds for any portion of their reservations not used because of the shutdown. Changes can be made by calling 1-888-448-1474.