It's not only our Great Lakes Basin at risk..

The other surprising piece to this story is the under reported threat of invasive species travelling from the Great Lakes and infesting the Mississippi River Basin. The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) developed the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS) with the objective of finding options to prevent inter-basin transfer of "aquatic nuisance species" (ANS) or aquatic invasive species. The study focused on preventing 13 of some 254 ANS species - 3 of which could transfer to the Great Lakes and include Scud , Silver Carp, and Bighead Carp ; and 10 which posed a risk for the Mississippi River Basin. Aquatic invasives or ANS harm ecosystems, reduce native biodiversity and quantity, effect water quality, threaten the economy, and can create social disruption. Because of the devastating impact of Asian carp on neighbouring watersheds, there is much incentive for so many stakeholders to come together and work out preventative solutions for Asian carp in particular.
Asian carp in abundance in nearby watersheds..
Coming up the the Illinios River
" It has been estimated that the three lower reaches of the Illinois River (the first 231 miles of the Illinois Waterway, up to Starved Rock Lock and Dam about 100 miles from Lake Michigan) contained approximately 3.1 million pounds of Asian carp, of which Silver Carp make up about 90 % of the population density of which Bighead Carp make up 70 % of the biomass.11"

Read more about environmental impacts
- A threat to native species and overall biodiversity.
- Compete with native fish for food, by eating plankton and other food sources. They alter and compete for habitat with native fish
- Out compete native fish with their ability to grow quickly and to very large sizes. Also, prey upon native fishes. Threaten native yellow perch and walleye – a vital part of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Rainbow trout, gizzard shad and emerald shiners have also been reported as threatened.
- Carriers for diseases or parasites that could spread to native fishes
- Lake Erie may suffer the worst consequences, up to 34% of L. Erie’s total fish biomass according to a recent study1
Economic costs
- Industries most likely to be effected by Bighead and Silver Carp are:
- Many estimates on the cost of invasive species, and many ways to look at it. The Great Lakes St.Lawrence region has an economy of about $5.8 trillion dollars.On the higher side, in 2012, GBF cited the Great Lakes Commission estimates that current invasive species cost the Great Lakes costs $5.7 billion annually. 18
- Many are concerned about the impact the Asian carp would have on the $7-billion-a-year Great Lakes fishery and the communities that rely on that fishery for commercial and recreational use. 19
- For Canada, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), estimate that the socio-eoconomic impact for Canada over 50 years would be $390 billion. This would include categories of commercial fishing, recreational fishing, recreational boating (the biggest at $333 billion), wildlife viewing, and beaches and lakefront use.
- 1. Sport and Commercial fishing – less species, more dangers from flying fish
2. Shipping – more expenses related to changing routes to avoid spreading of invasive speceis
3. Tourism and recreation – Reduced quality of the Great Lakes experience due to potential dangers of flying fish and the change in the environment.
Find out more about Hongyan Zhang's study on Lake Erie
Dresden Island Pool Leading Edge of adult Asian carp population
What about all those reports of Asian carp findings in the Great Lakes?
There have been findings of Asian carp in the Great Lakes and even as far-flung as Lake Ontario . However, these findings have been relatively isolated catches; meaning that there is that there is no evidence of a breeding or established population of the high risk Bighead carp or Silver carp. (Read here about the 4 different species of Asian Carp). However, Asian carp are close, and all entry points and Great Lakes are of great concern and need to be prioritized. Entry to Lake Michigan via the Chicago Area Waterways (CAWS) System and the Illinois River have been assessed as the largest risk to a Great Lakes invasion. Within this system (CAWS), the adult population front of Bighead and Silver carp is 55 miles, and two locks away from Lake Michigan according to officials in 2014,11. Propitiously, this "overall leading edge" has not changed since 2006 and does not include spawning activity that happens further downstream in the Illinois river. Officials can never be complacent though - Silver Carp larvae were mapped further north on the Illinois River in June 2015 then ever before.While Lake Michigan is the most vulnerable entry point, other studies point to Lake Erie
A recent study suggests Lake Erie1 is the most threatened ecosystem due to a higher variety of fish species verses the other Great Lakes. It is argued by some and very hotly debated that with less plankton, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior are less likely to support larger volumes of Asian carp. In addition to walleye, Lake Erie faces losses that include rainbow trout, gizzard shad and emerald shiners. Alarmingly, officials have found evidence of Grass Carp reproduction in Lake Erie. While this type of Asian carp is thought to be less destructive than Bighead or Silver Carp because they eat plants instead of plankton, they are still voracious eaters who can harm wetlands and alter the environment for other fish.Georgian Bay Forever believes that Asian carp are a significant threat to all the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay. Understanding the state of the struggle, and the complexities, and recognizing the species and its dangers are all important to helping prevent Asian carp from establishing in the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay. We have summarized some of the key measures below:
5 current Asian carp prevention measures
The primary current defence structures against Asian carp are electro-magnetic fields north of the Lockport Lock and Jam in the Chicago Area Waterways (CAWS) about 40 km south of Chicago. Engineered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), these barriers will be managed by them in the future.
- Water samples are collected to remove genetic materials that provide information about the species in the water (i.e. Asian carp).
- While this has tool is a valuable early detection tool, Asian carp eDNA in 2010 prompted a flurry of alarmed activity, which included a low-profile, mass fish-kill operation in the Chicago waterway and north of the barrier the following winter and following spring. While accepted as a necessary short-term emergency response, sustaining such a toxic program was wasteful and not desirable. Work needed to be done to make the process of eDNA more efficient and conclusive, as noted below:
- In 2015 eDNA testing was expanded to include downstream barrier testing as well as an early detection tool above the barrier. Canadians are testing in various sites in Lake Erie, St. Clair, Detroit River, and South Lake Huron.
- The eDNA sampling program on the US side is conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Whitney Genetics Laboratory in Onalaska, Wisconsin, and there is a Canadian lab in Winnipeg managed by the Department of Forestry and Oceans.
- 1. DNA cells can be released into the environment in a variety of ways, including excrement and mucus. DNA can also be moved or conveyed (bird droppings, boat gear etc), and not indicate a true population.
2. As noted by USACE, 8 ” When results in the CAWS indicate positive detections for Asian carp eDNA, yet hundreds of hours of netting and electrofishing turn up no actual fish, there is the ecological and fiscal responsibility and duty to determine what the sources beyond a live fish could potentially be.” In conjunction with using this tool with other monitoring tools, methodology and processes were refined to tie positive eDNA samples to Asian carp populations, decrease the time to produce results, and improve costs.
In June 2015, it published the "Asian Carp Strategy Framework" which provides a comprehensive summary of all the major work being done on controlling Asian carp. Bighead and Silver Carp are the focus, with the 2015 framework including Grass and Black Carp for the first time. [update May 6] The ARCC just released the 2016 Asian Carp Control Action Plan. GBF will take sometime to review it, but here is their summary with a PDF of their Action Plan.
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It is illegal to transport, sell, or possess live Asian Carp in Ontario and the Great Lakes US States21. Ontario strengthened its ability to prevent aquatic invasive species with the passing of Bill 37 in October, the Invasive Species Act 2015 which prohibited import and possession of significant-threat species (the regulations are to follow). While experts think that there is less from this potential introduction then from the CAWS; it still is very critical to stop.
- Some confusion over what exactly is a dead fish? An example is fish on ice. Some accounts have found some iced fish alive. Ontario is considering changing the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to transported carp being dead and eviscerated.
- On both sides of the border federally, there does not appear to be legislation around possession of live Asian carp, it is enacted at state or provincial level (note above). In the Lacey Act – the US Federal government prohibits “movement” of Asian carp and not ownership; which makes live Asian carp legal in the South and keeps law enforcement like the Illinios Department of Natural Resources active in trying to uncover illegal trade in the Great Lakes States.
- eg. Lake Calument – 11,222 fish collected – no Asian Carp – 2014, later North Shore Channel and Chicago River – 11,367 fish collected, one Asian carp.
What is CAWS? - Chicago Area Waterway System

- 1. Wilmette Pumping Station, IL
2. Chicago River Controlling Works, IL
3. Calumet Harbor, IL
4. Indiana Harbor, IN
5. Burns Small Boat Harbor, IN
What’s an invasive species?
5 Interim Initiatives Under Consideration or Underway or Under Consideration
- By establishing a one way control point at Brandon Road, the risk is minimized of Asian Carp transferring at high precipitation when the Des Plaines River could connect to the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (ultimately Lake Michigan). If new technologies tested downstream of the lock fail, the existing operating lock (height differential) prevents ANS transfer upstream
- According to GLMRIS, a single chokepoint for the reverse – preventing Great Lakes species from transferring to the Mississippi Basin – presented unacceptable flooding risks This objective has been shelved in the short term due to the complexities of the multiple points of control required.
- ACRCC in its 2015 framework (page 29) states the following will be done: New engineered channel in the approach to the Brandon Road Lock, deployment of control technologies in the approach channel and lock structure, and research into options for reinforcing the lock to control AIS.
- What are pheromones? Released chemicals that alter the normal functioning in another animal of the same species.
- By using these control agents, wouldn’t native fish be impacted? Yes. That is why experts are studying Microparticle Technology Development; which works to make control agents more selective. The technology would advantage the filter feeding behaviour and metabolism of Bighead Carp and Silver Carp to dispense control agents more specifically to their intended target.
What is GLMRIS?
- Here is a short summary from GLMRIS of the options:
1. Do nothing - Continue with current efforts and spend levels(i.e., the electric barriers, monitoring etc.) Modifications and changes to current CAWs system
2. Nonstructural control technologies (i.e., education, monitoring, herbicides, ballast water management)
3. Specialized lock, lock channel, electric barriers and ANS treatment plants at two mid-system locations in the CAWS.
4. CAWS buffer zone using the same technologies as number 3, preventing downstream passage from Lake Michigan at five points and preventing upstream passage at a single point at Brandon Road Lock and Dam. Hydrological separation
5. Material barricades separating the basins at 4 locations along the lakefront of Lake Michigan.
6. Material barricades separating the basins at 2 mid-system locations .
7. Material barricades at 4 mid-system locations, leaving the Cal-Sag channel open.
8. A hybrid of technology and material barricades at 4 mid-system locations, leaving the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal open.
Hydrological Separation
Great read- Summary of GLMRIS

Sources and acknowledgements:
2https://www.michigandaily.com/section/news/research-team-predicts-impact-asian-carp-lake-erie Michigan Daily. Impact of Asian carp on Great Lakes could be overestimated. Megan Doyle. Friday, January 8, 2016 - 1:19am . Retrieved February 29, 2016 at https://www.michigandaily.com/section/news/research-team-predicts-impact-asian-carp-lake-erie 3https://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/01/chicago_diversion_asian_carp.html Michigan Daily. Impact of Asian carp on Great Lakes could be overestimated. Megan Doyle. Friday, January 8, 2016 - 1:19am . Retrieved February 29, 2016 at https://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/01/chicago_diversion_asian_carp.html 4https://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-03-25/news/ct-met-asian-carp-0327-20110325_1_electric-barriers-charlie-wooley-ohio-river-division. Chicago Tribune Electric barriers stop big Asian carp, tests show March 25, 2011|By Katherine Skiba. Retrieved February 29, 2016 at https://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-03-25/news/ct-met-asian-carp-0327-20110325_1_electric-barriers-charlie-wooley-ohio-river-division
5https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Area_Waterway_SystemWikkipedia Chicago Area Waterways. . Retrieved February 29, 2016 at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Area_Waterway_System
6https://uwaterloo.ca/stories/when-invasive-asian-carp-look-love-all-right-places-0University of Waterloo. Waterloo stories.When invasive Asian carp look for love in all the right places. By Victoria Van Cappellen . Retrieved February 29, 2016 at
7https://ca.news.yahoo.com/study-says-asian-carp-eventually-could-one-third-224125950.html?nhp=1Yahoo News. Study says Asian carp eventually could make up one-third of combined fish weight in Lake Erie John Flesher, The Associated Press, The Canadian Press. January 4, 2016. Retrieved February 29, 2016 at https://ca.news.yahoo.com/study-says-asian-carp-eventually-could-one-third-224125950.html?nhp=1"
8https://glmris.anl.gov/faq/#electricGLRIS Frequently asked Questions. what is eDNA, and how is USACE using it? John Flesher, The Associated Press, The Canadian Press. January 4, 2016. Retrieved February 29, 2016 at https://ca.news.yahoo.com/study-says-asian-carp-eventually-could-one-third-224125950.html?nhp=1 10Page 3 of the Asian Carp Strategy Control Framework 2015 shows the massive distribution growth of Bighead and Silver Carp from 1990 to 2010 in the Mississippi River and Ohio Basins. https://asiancarp.us/documents/2015Framework.pdf 11Page 5-6 of the Asian Carp Strategy Control Framework 2015 https://asiancarp.us/documents/2015Framework.pdf 12 Page 14 https://asiancarp.us/documents/2015Framework.pdf 13 https://cida.usgs.gov/glri/projects/invasive_species/9-seismic-water-guns-asian-carp-control-9.html 14 https://asiancarp.azurewebsites.net/WHAT-IS-AT-RISK/Socio-economic-Impact 15https://thefisheriesblog.com/2015/10/12/co2-fish-barriers/. October 12, 2015. 16http://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/SitePages/Learn/EconomicImpacts.aspx 18 Sweetnam, David. Keeping the critters out. Georgian Bay Forever, Spring 2012 newsletter issue. Page 5 19 Sweetnam, David. Keeping the critters out. Georgian Bay Forever, Spring 2012 newsletter issue. Page 5 20ASian Carp. COntrol Strategy Framework, June 2015 June 2015 Page 14. Retrieved March 21, 2016 21 Retrieved March 21, 2016 at https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/coe-cde/ceara/AIS-EAE/asian_carp-carpe_asiatique-eng.htm 22Aulakh, Raveena. “Meet Canada’s Asian carp detective.” Thestar.com. Sept 28, 2015. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2015/09/28/meet-canadas-asian-carp-detective.html.