BENTON – 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 p.m. on Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3. This closure is to accommodate the Rend Lake Earth Day Celebration, which invites 1,500 students and teachers from across Southern Illinois for special environmental education programs. This event is not open to the public. 

There will be significant pedestrian and bus traffic near the Rend Lake Visitor Center and Dam West Recreation Area on May 2 and May 3, visitors traveling along Rend City road should proceed with caution.

The Rend Lake Earth Day Celebration is an annual event celebrating environmental education for third and sixth grade students across Southern Illinois.

For more information about the event, contact the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center at 618-724-2493.