Army Corps ups the voltage at barrier against invasive carp

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has doubled the voltage at the electric barrier that is the last line of defense against the giant, flying Asian carp that threaten to take over Lake Michigan, the Detroit Free Press reports.

The move is a response to a recent study that detected DNA from the carp in waters near the Chicago area canal that connects the Mississippi River Basin to the Great Lakes.

Tim Lam reports:

Until last week, the barrier operated at one volt per inch in quick pulses. Now, it’s running at two volts per inch, pulsing every 6.5 milliseconds, which studies show should stun all sizes of Asian carp. But at that rate, it poses safety hazards to recreational boaters, who could be electrocuted if they fall in, and to barges carrying volatile cargo, if sparks fly. Tests are to continue through next week to make sure the new voltage level is safe for humans, [Col. Vincent Quarles, commander of the Chicago District of the corps] said.

If the carp make it through the electric barrier, some groups advocate using poison to kill them. The Asian carp have no predators and could quickly displace native fish and disrupt the sport and commercial fishing industries.