(Spirit Lake)– Those working to raise money for an electric fish barrier at the Lower Gar Outlet say the pace of contributions has picked up considerably following last week’s announcement that silver carp are already present in the Iowa Great Lakes.
Experts say the invasive species needs a river-like environment in which to reproduce and that as a result, the population in the Iowa Great Lakes should die off in time. Key to that, though, is the installation of a fish barrier to prevent more Asian carp from entering the lakes during high water episodes similar to last spring and summer when the carp were able to swim over the Linn Grove dam and made their way to the Iowa Great Lakes.
The East Lake Okoboji Lakes Improvement Corporation (EOLIC)is the latest lakes area association to donate toward the project. The organization has pledged $5,000 toward the completion of the barrier, along with an additional $1,620 of unsolicited donations from the general public. In addition, EOLIC is matching the first $3,000 in contributions dollar for dollar. Donations may be made to EOLIC at P.O. Box 45, Spirit Lake…51360.
A number of lakes area cities continue to come on board with funding as well, including the city of Orleans which voted Monday to contribute $10,000 toward the project.
