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ERDC participates in Electric Fish Barrier Operations and Studies Meeting

Published March 1, 2013
The electric fish barrier was constructed by the Corps of Engineers under the authority of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Act to prevent Asian Carp from entering Lake Michigan through the Illinois River system. The barrier works by generating a low-voltage electric field across the canal that prevents Asian Carp from migrating further upstream. Field testing conducted by the Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers indicated that the fish barrier posed a significant risk to commercial and recreational navigation. To mitigate this risk, navigational and operational restrictions have been placed on all vessels transiting through the barrier. For more information go to http://www.uscg.mil/d9/msuChicago/docs/FishBarrierHandout.pdf.
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The electric fish barrier was constructed by the Corps of Engineers under the authority of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Act to prevent Asian Carp from entering Lake Michigan through the Illinois River system. The barrier works by generating a low-voltage electric field across the canal that prevents Asian Carp from migrating further upstream. Field testing conducted by the Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers indicated that the fish barrier posed a significant risk to commercial and recreational navigation. To mitigate this risk, navigational and operational restrictions have been placed on all vessels transiting through the barrier. For more information go to http://www.uscg.mil/d9/msuChicago/docs/FishBarrierHandout.pdf.

Carp found in Chicago Area Waterway System.
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Carp found in Chicago Area Waterway System.

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CHICAGO—ERDC researchers were recently invited by the Corps of Engineers Chicago District and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to participate in the first Electric Fish Barrier Operations and Studies meeting.

The meeting brought together representatives from all organizations conducting barrier efficacy research projects to foster multi-disciplinary collaboration and agency coordination of activities, and to plan strategy for future research activities.

Agencies represented included the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Coast Guard. 

ERDC researchers provided briefings on research results related to barge effects on electric field in the water; influence of electrical characteristics on fish behavior; and navigation effects on Asian carp movement past the electric barriers.

Ongoing research efforts were discussed to include additional electrical field and barge effect studies and input to the design of a new permanent barrier; work to continue laboratory testing of optimal electrical parameters on bighead carp and efficacy of reverse polarity; and laboratory testing of different barge configurations/loading scenarios to determine effects of navigation on Asian carp with video analysis providing estimates of exposure times and transport velocities.

To learn more about ERDC’s fish barrier project, go to http://www.erdc.usace.army.mil/Media/NewsStories/tabid/9219/Article/9029/students-make-major-contributions-to-fish-barrier-project.aspx.

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