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NRDC: Press Release - Killing Carp: Chicago Canal Poisoned to Keep Invasive Fish Out of Great Lakes


3) nrdc.org Dec. 2, 2009


5) Miller Chapter 11

6) Regional Area: Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal and Lake Michigan

7) Lake Michigan's ecosystem is already extremely damaged by the introduction of many invasive species. This is due to the canals that took the lake out of isolation and linked the lake with other water ways. The largest problem that is being faced right now is the Asian Carp. This fish is on its way towards Lake Michigan and it poses a big threat to the already hurt ecosystem. The Carp reproduces rapidly, filter feeds 40% of their body weight each day, and may eventually out-compete native species. To stop this, state and federal agencies have begun to poison the Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal to prevent the carp from entering the lake while maintenance is performed on an electrical barrier intended to keep the fish out.

8) I think that this is a good idea because the asian carp could be detrimental to the lake Michigan ecosystem. The poison may not be a good idea because the poison may travel down or up stream and even into the lake; but the electrical barrier is something that wont harm a lot of the aquatic life in the area.

9)Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal: The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, historically known as the Chicago Drainage Canal, is the only shipping link between the Great Lakes (specifically Lake Michigan by way of the Chicago River) and the Mississippi River system, by way of the Illinois and Des Plaines Rivers.