Army Corps restores carp barrier power setting

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Federal authorities are preparing to ramp up power for a second time on an electric barrier designed to prevent Asian carp from moving between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River systems.

The barrier is in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal about 37 miles by water from Lake Michigan. It emits pulses to chase away fish and jolt those that don’t turn back. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boosted the power in October to make sure it would affect fish of all sizes.

But shortly afterward, the previous level was restored because of concerns that the barrier might be interfering with nearby railroad signals.

The Army Corps said Monday it had fixed the problem by reconfiguring a piece of equipment. The higher power setting will be restored Tuesday.