January 7th, 2021

Governor Whitmer and Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois announced a new effort to stop invasive species like Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes by installing barriers at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam located near Jolliet, Illinois. Species like Asian carp often enter the Great Lakes through the Chicago Area Water System through a network of canals and channels that connect the Great Lakes system to the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The Brandon Road Lock and Dam is situated along one of these major channels.

New investments at the dam to prevent the spread of invasive species include electric barriers, underwater sonic systems that repel fish, an air bubble curtain, and a new flushing lock to remove fish before they can enter Lake Michigan. According to the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, invasive species are one of the most dangerous threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem.

Here's How You Can Help