Tagged: Great Lakes

A federal study of 18 potential aquatic links between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River watersheds says none of them are likely pathways to the lakes for Asian carp.
 
The U.S.  Army Corps of Engineers released the study Friday. It's among reports the agency is producing as it develops recommendations for preventing Asian carp and other invasive species from crossing between the two watersheds.
 

Experts from the U.S. and Canada say people in the Great Lakes region should not expect any large-scale engineering projects to control water levels in the foreseeable future.

A five-year, $14.6 million study released Wednesday proposes changes in how water outflows from Lake Superior are regulated.  That might have minor effects on water levels elsewhere.

But the International Upper Great Lakes Study says putting more dams or other structures in rivers to limit ups and downs in the lakes would be hugely expensive at a time of tight budgets.

Federal agriculture officials say they're spending $2 million to help farmers in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana keep phosphorus from entering waterways in the western Lake Erie basin.

The U.S. Agriculture Department says projects include using new tools such as biofilters and controlled drainage. Officials say excessive phosphorus from manure causes blue-green algae to proliferate in rivers and streams, limiting oxygen concentrations in water.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack plans to announce the effort today in Michigan.