Great Lakes and Ohio River Division > Missions

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US Army Corps of Engineers

Great Lakes and Ohio River Division Website

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Missions

Recreation

The Corps of Engineers is the nation’s largest provider of water-based recreation, and the Great Lakes & Ohio River Division provides more than a third of the Corps of Engineer’s total outdoor recreational opportunities. The Division manages 1.5 million acres of land and water, including 756 recreational sites that provide boating, swimming, hiking, camping, wildlife observation, hunting, and fishing. These areas receive more than 80 million visitors annually and generate 27,000 jobs in local communities. The Division operates three visitor centers in the Great Lakes region that provide recreational and educational opportunities to the public, free of charge. All centers are handicap accessible. Hours may vary by the season.

Visitor Centers

The Corps of Engineers operates three centers for visitors at navigation and flood control projects in the Great Lakes region. These centers provide recreational and educational opportunities that are open to the public free of charge. All centers are handicap accessible. Hours may vary by the season.

Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center, Duluth Minnesota

The Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center is located at Canal Park next to the Duluth Ship Canal, Aerial Bridges, and Lake Walk at Duluth Harbor. The Center features information of the history of Lake Superior, the shipping activity of the Twin Ports, and the work of the Corps throughout the region. Among the attractions within the modern two-story building are full- sized replicas of ship cabins and a pilothouse, a massive steam engine, a working radar, and dozens of the finest scale ship models in the Midwest. For more information, check out the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor's Center website, or call (218) 727-2497.

Soo Locks Visitor Center, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Located on the upper grounds of the St. Mary's Falls Canal, the Visitor's Center provides information about the locks and the ships that use them. The Center contains an operating lock model where visitors could see how a ship goes through a lock and a theater showing movies of the locks, Great Lakes shipping, and related topics, as well as many other artifacts, charts, maps, and photographs of interest. Since 1971, the first year records were available, over 13 million people have visited the Soo Locks. It is open between April and mid-November, from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. For more information, check out the Soo Locks Visitor Center website or call (585) 632-2394.

William B. Hoyt II Visitor Center, Mount Morris Dam, New York

This new, 5,400-square foot, facility is located deep in the Genesee River Gorge next to Letchworth State Park in Livingston County, New York. The Visitor Center includes a large atrium, museum, and theater. Interpretive exhibits and a compelling video convey information about the history, construction, operation and benefits of Mount Morris Dam, the largest dam of its type east of the Mississippi River. The Center also includes exhibits of local natural, recreational, archaeological and cultural resources. Facilities at the Visitor Center offer a place for local groups to hold meetings and activities, with prior reservations.

Hours of operation (subject to change):

Memorial Day weekend to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving: Tuesday-Sunday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

For more information, check out the Mt. Morris Dam web site, or call (585) 658-4790.