Science Friday Can A Billion-Dollar Barricade Keep Carp Out Of The Great Lakes?
Nov 5, 2025
Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco, an environmental reporter, shares insightful field observations on invasive carp and the costly Brandon Road Interbasin Project, aimed at preventing their entry into the Great Lakes. Dr. Cory Suski, a professor of aquatic resources, discusses experiments revealing how Chicago's water chemistry might stress carp, slowing their movement and metabolism. The conversation dives into the financial and ecological debates surrounding carp control, making it clear that finding a solution is as challenging as it is vital.
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Raining Carp On An Electrofishing Boat
- Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco rode on an electrofishing boat and watched carp launch 10–12 feet into the air when shocked.
- Technicians strapped into the bow caught massive carp midair and placed them in live wells for surveys.
Mapping Carp To Target Harvests
- Illinois uses targeted surveys to map carp abundance and focus commercial harvests where carp thrive.
- Large one-time removals (e.g., 750,000 carp) can be effective but are not a long-term solution.
Use Multiple Defenses At Brandon Road
- The Brandon Road Interbasin Project would upgrade an existing lock and dam with deterrents like bubble curtains, speakers, an electrical barrier, and flushing mechanisms.
- Build multi-layered defenses because no single method guarantees containment.