Locks and dams are possible management points to block the spread of invasive Asian carps in the United States. Infusion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into water is one deterrent strategy being considered at navigational structures to reduce upstream fish passage that would not directly interfere with lock and dam operations. The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of CO2 as a behavioral deterrent to free-swimming fishes. Telemetered bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were monitored within a U-shaped pond (30.5 m long x 13.7 m wide x 1 m deep) using a two-dimensional acoustic telemetry array. Gaseous CO2 was administered to one-half of the pond at 30, 75, or 150 L CO2/min while a comparable stimulus of atmospheric air without CO2 was simultaneously applied to the opposite side. Fish positions throughout nine independent trials were used to quantify and compare the spatial occupancy, movement patterns, and CO2 plume interaction of fish during CO2 treatment relative to normal swimming before treatment. See related manuscript for additional details on experimental methods.

Locks and dams are possible management points to block the spread of invasive Asian carps in the United States. Infusion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into water is one deterrent strategy being considered at navigational structures to reduce upstream fish passage that would not directly interfere with lock and dam operations. The goal of this study was to determine lethal concentrations of CO2 to non-target species. Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed to CO2 continuously for 12 hours using a diluter system. Trials were performed on both species at target water temperatures of 5, 15, and 25°C. See related manuscript for additional details on experimental methods.

Locks and dams are possible management points to block the spread of invasive Asian carps in the United States. Infusion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into water is one deterrent strategy being considered at navigational structures to reduce upstream fish passage that would not directly interfere with lock and dam operations. The goal of this study was to determine lethal concentrations of CO2 to non-target species. Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed to CO2 continuously for 12 hours using a diluter system. Trials were performed on both species at target water temperatures of 5, 15, and 25°C. See related manuscript for additional details on experimental methods.

This dataset assesses the responses of native (largemouth bass Micropterus salmoide and bluegill Lepomis macrochirus) and invasive (silver carp Hypophthalmichthys. Molitrix) fishes to an acoustic stimulus (playback of a 100 hp boat motor. Fish were collected from the Illinois River and Emiquon Preserve and implanted with a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag. Fish movement was monitored using PIT antennas installed in a water control structure (WCS) that connects the Emiquon Preserve to the Illinois River.

This dataset assesses the responses of native (largemouth bass Micropterus salmoide and bluegill Lepomis macrochirus) and invasive (silver carp Hypophthalmichthys. Molitrix) fishes to an acoustic stimulus (playback of a 100 hp boat motor. Fish were collected from the Illinois River and Emiquon Preserve and implanted with a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag. Fish movement was monitored using PIT antennas installed in a water control structure (WCS) that connects the Emiquon Preserve to the Illinois River.

Resource agencies are searching for effective methods to prevent the spread of invasive Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), hereafter bigheaded carps, from the Mississippi River basin into the Laurentian Great Lakes. Elevating carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in water within locks and other pinch points is an approach being considered to reduce invasive fish passage. Laboratory studies have shown that bigheaded carps strongly avoid areas of elevated CO2 (Kates et al. 2012; Dennis et al. 2015). Similarly, telemetry studies found that CO2 can be used to exclude bigheaded carps from certain locations (Donaldson et al. 2016) and reduce upstream movement (Cupp et al. 2016). Previous studies were completed under controlled settings, and research to determine the feasibility and efficacy of elevated CO2 to control bigheaded carp movements in larger natural environments is needed. On October 21–28, 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Illinois-Iowa Water Science Center, and Columbia Environmental Research Center conducted a short field study at Emiquon Preserve (15T 750386.95m E, 4469041.70m N) near Havana, IL. Objectives for this study were to (1) characterize CO2 concentrations and distribution at various water velocities and (2) determine the effectiveness of CO2 to reduce general fish abundance and movement. During this study, water quality, atmospheric CO2, and fish presence were quantified across three water velocities (no flow, restricted flow, and unrestricted flow) with and without CO2 injection. The study was conducted at the water management structures (WMS) which served at the single connection between an isolated backwater lake and the Illinois River. Carbon dioxide was injected into the downstream portion of the WMS using air diffusers connected to compressed CO2 tanks. Fish abundance and movement was quantified using two Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar (ARIS) transducers placed across WMS entrances. Water quality was quantified using stationary sondes, grab sample, and mobile transects. Atmospheric CO2 concentrations were quantified at fixed locations throughout the study site. Dates and times of importance: no water flow with CO2 start (21OCT2016 0800 CDT) and stop (21OCT2016 1600 CDT), modified flow with CO2 start (25OCT2016 0800 CDT) and stop (25OCT2016 1600 CDT), unrestricted flow with CO2 start (24OCT2016 0800 CDT) and stop (24OCT2016 1600 CDT), no flow control day without CO2 (28OCT2016), modified flow control day without CO2 (27OCT2016), and unrestricted flow control day without CO2 (23OCT2016).

Resource agencies are searching for effective methods to prevent the spread of invasive Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), hereafter bigheaded carps, from the Mississippi River basin into the Laurentian Great Lakes. Elevating carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in water within locks and other pinch points is an approach being considered to reduce invasive fish passage. Laboratory studies have shown that bigheaded carps strongly avoid areas of elevated CO2 (Kates et al. 2012; Dennis et al. 2015). Similarly, telemetry studies found that CO2 can be used to exclude bigheaded carps from certain locations (Donaldson et al. 2016) and reduce upstream movement (Cupp et al. 2016). Previous studies were completed under controlled settings, and research to determine the feasibility and efficacy of elevated CO2 to control bigheaded carp movements in larger natural environments is needed. On October 21–28, 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Illinois-Iowa Water Science Center, and Columbia Environmental Research Center conducted a short field study at Emiquon Preserve (15T 750386.95m E, 4469041.70m N) near Havana, IL. Objectives for this study were to (1) characterize CO2 concentrations and distribution at various water velocities and (2) determine the effectiveness of CO2 to reduce general fish abundance and movement. During this study, water quality, atmospheric CO2, and fish presence were quantified across three water velocities (no flow, restricted flow, and unrestricted flow) with and without CO2 injection. The study was conducted at the water management structures (WMS) which served at the single connection between an isolated backwater lake and the Illinois River. Carbon dioxide was injected into the downstream portion of the WMS using air diffusers connected to compressed CO2 tanks. Fish abundance and movement was quantified using two Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar (ARIS) transducers placed across WMS entrances. Water quality was quantified using stationary sondes, grab sample, and mobile transects. Atmospheric CO2 concentrations were quantified at fixed locations throughout the study site. Dates and times of importance: no water flow with CO2 start (21OCT2016 0800 CDT) and stop (21OCT2016 1600 CDT), modified flow with CO2 start (25OCT2016 0800 CDT) and stop (25OCT2016 1600 CDT), unrestricted flow with CO2 start (24OCT2016 0800 CDT) and stop (24OCT2016 1600 CDT), no flow control day without CO2 (28OCT2016), modified flow control day without CO2 (27OCT2016), and unrestricted flow control day without CO2 (23OCT2016).

Resource managers need effective methods to limit the spread of invasive Asian carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) into new areas. This study evaluated carbon dioxide (CO2) as a barrier and deterrent to Asian carps in a small outdoor pond. Telemetered silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) were monitored for 72h (24h before CO2, 24h during CO2, 24h after CO2) using a two-dimensional acoustic telemetry array to evaluate behavioral responses to CO2. Water quality was measured concurrent with acoustic telemetry to determine the concentration and extent of the CO2 plume. Results are intended to provide information on the potential application of CO2 as an invasive fish deterrent strategy.

Resource managers need effective methods to limit the spread of invasive Asian carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) into new areas. This study evaluated carbon dioxide (CO2) as a barrier and deterrent to Asian carps in a small outdoor pond. Telemetered silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) were monitored for 72h (24h before CO2, 24h during CO2, 24h after CO2) using a two-dimensional acoustic telemetry array to evaluate behavioral responses to CO2. Water quality was measured concurrent with acoustic telemetry to determine the concentration and extent of the CO2 plume. Results are intended to provide information on the potential application of CO2 as an invasive fish deterrent strategy.

Spreadsheets include data that was used to evaluate the efficacy of carbon dioxide (CO2) deterrence at different temperatures in invasive carps. There are 8 csv files and 2 folders containing text documents associated with this study