Launch of 12 days of aquatic invasive species Christmas

Echo once again is running the Wisconsin Sea Grant version of the popular 12 days of Christmas carol. Produced by outreach specialist Tim Campbell in 2011, it brings 12 days of holiday invasive species cheer.

Things may have changed since then so feel free to update the song in the comments.

This year we’re including an actual performance as well as the explanations. Join us each of the next 12 days to hear the next verse.

Today: A carp barrier in the city.

There are actually three electric barrier arrays in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Two of the barriers are always on, while the other is on standby to provide emergency backup or to be functional during periods of maintenance.

This configuration has prevented radio tagged fish in an Army Corps of Engineers study from moving upstream of  the barriers. As long as the electricity remains on, these barriers should prove to be effective at preventing additional silver and bighead carp from entering the Great Lakes until a more permanent solution can be found.