(Milford)– Construction is under way on a temporary fish barrier at the Lower Gar Outlet as the battle to keep additional asian carp from getting into the Iowa Great Lakes continues. The temporary barrier will be in place until construction of the permanent electric barrier is complete.
Mike Hawkins, a Fisheries Biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says designing the temporary barrier has been a challenge, and that there is no guarantee the design will work effectively. But he says they want to make sure everything that’s possible is done to stop asian carp from moving further before the permanent barrier is constructed. For instance, Hawkins says the barrier must be able to withstand incredible water pressures and cause as little plugging as possible while not being so complicated it takes months to fabricate and install.
Plans call for construction of the permanent electric fish barrier to get underway in late October of this year. It’s currently in the design and engineering phases.
The temporary barrier will be removed once the permanent one is complete.
