U.S. Geological Survey

U.S. Department of the Interior

Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Aquatic Invasive Species Research Capabilities at the 

Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Aquatic invasive species such as the sea lamprey, zebra 

mussel, and Asian carps reshape aquatic communities, cost 

millions annually to manage and control, and threaten the 

biodiversity of freshwaters. The rate at which invasive species 

are moved and spread is increasing and detrimental economic 

and ecological effects continue to mount. Further, natural 

resource managers have identified invasive species as one of 

the most serious problems they face in the United States. To 

address this problem, scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey 

Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) are 

refocusing their research efforts on aquatic invasive species 

based on UMESC personnel, facility assets, and resource 

management needs.

Aquatic invasive species like the sea lamprey have been 

studied at UMESC since the 1950s. One notable research 

assignment early in the Center’s history was to develop 

chemical controls for sea lamprey— primitive parasitic fish 

that attach to other fishes with a suction disc to live on the 

host’s blood and body fluids. This research, conducted in 

cooperation with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, helped 

greatly reduce populations of sea lamprey in the Great Lakes. 

Since the 1990s, UMESC scientists have extended their 

expertise in chemical control to newly established nonnative 

species in the Great Lakes and conducted ecological research 

on the effects of zebra mussels and Asian carps.

Selected Projects

UMESC Strategic Plan for Research on Aquatic 

Invasive Species (AIS) Highlights

(1) Preventing the Introduction of AIS

Develop tools for managers to prevent the introduction of AIS in the 

United States

(2) Early Detection, Rapid Response, and Spread of AIS

Provide science support for resource managers to eradicate newly 

reported AIS and to predict their potential spread

(3) Science Support for Monitoring AIS

Improve and refine methods used by managers to monitor expanding 

populations of AIS in the Upper Mississippi River

(4) Ecology and Effects of AIS

Study the ecology of AIS to identify and quantify the effects of harmful AIS 

on native ecosystems and their components

(5) Control and Management of Existing AIS

Work with managers to develop and improve alternatives for controlling 

AIS to restore native species and ecosystem function

Technical assistance to Great Lakes sea lamprey control 

program

As part of our commitment to provide technical assistance 

to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission’s Sea Lamprey 

Control Program, we conduct risk assessments of lampricide 

treatments on nontarget species of concern. Scheduled 

sea lamprey stream treatments were allowed based on our 

recent findings demonstrating minimal risk of lampricides 

to three species of native mussels classified as threatened, 

endangered, or of special concern by the State of Vermont. 

Data were provided that helped support a risk assessment for 

piping plovers, an endangered avian species which inhabits 

a limited number of streams in the Great Lakes basin. We 

are currently engaged in collaborative research to determine 

the impacts of lampricide treatments on lake sturgeon, 

mudpuppies, stonecats, and snuffbox mussels.

The USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center in La Crosse,

Wisconsin, showing a variety of ponds used for culture and experimentation.

The threat of Asian carp entering the Great Lakes at Lake 

Michigan through the Chicago Sanitary and Shipping Canal 

has increased the urgency of finding ways of controlling 

these aquatic invaders. USGS has received funding from 

the US Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes 

Restoration Initiative to develop new chemicals and new 

delivery technologies aimed at control of silver and bighead 

carps. The UMESC is collaborating with the USGS 

Columbia Environmental Research Center to develop 

chemical, physical, and biological means of controlling the 

carps to limit or prevent the spread of these fish throughout 

the Great Lakes basin.

Asian carp control investigations
Containment and Experiment Complex for Aquatic Invasive Species

UMESC renovated wet lab space to develop a containment and experimental 

complex for more efficient and secure research on aquatic invasive species. 

The facility is fully operational and features:

• Simultaneous culture and 

experimentation on various 

life stages and species. 

• Recirculating technology to 

save water and reduce risk 

of organism escape. 

• Separate culture and study 

areas with flow-through or 

recirculation. 

• Effluent treatment.

• Water temperature and 

light control, reconstituted 

water capabilities.

Visit the UMESC website at http://www.umesc.usgs.gov

for information on UMESC projects, scientific 

publications and other products, staff profiles, and other 

useful information.

Terrance Hubert, Ph.D. Chemist: Pheromones, analytical 

chemistry, integrated pest management, regulatory affairs

Mark Gaikowski, M.A. Supervisory Biologist: Toxicity and 

environmental studies, delivery technologies

Jon Amberg, Ph.D. Fish Biologist: Genetic, physiology and 

toxicity studies, delivery technologies, nanotechnology

Jeff Bernardy, M.S. Chemist: Analytical chemistry, 

residue depletion and environmental studies

Michael Boogaard, M.S. Biologist: Toxicity studies,

rapid response and integrated pest management

James Luoma, B.S. Fish Biologist: Toxicity studies,

integrated pest management, delivery technologies

Jane Rivera, B.S. Biologist: Acting Quality Assurance

Officer, regulatory affairs, toxicity studies

Theresa Schreier, B.S. Biologist: Analytical chemistry,

residue depletion, toxicity and environmental studies

• Containment and experimental complex for 

experimentation with aquatic invasive species with 

recirculating and flow-through capabilities

• Unique facilities, including onsite culture and analytical 

laboratories and experimental ponds

UMESC Assets and Capabilities for Research on 

Aquatic Invasive Species

• Expertise in the development of methods for 

the analysis of residues of fishery management 

chemicals in tissues, sediment, and water.

• Extensive experience in evaluation of the efficacy, 

safety, and environmental effects of fishery 

management chemicals

• Expertise in regulatory affairs with U.S. EPA, Health 

Canada, and state natural resource and environmental 

agencies

• Monitoring expertise from 20 years of experience 

with the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program

• Over 50 years of partnering with the Great Lakes 

Fishery Commission in support of the Sea Lamprey 

Control Program in the Great Lakes basin

• Capacity to integrate work and develop innovative 

decision support systems

• Strategically located between the Mississippi River 

and Great Lakes basins, two of the most utilized 

watersheds in the world

Dedicated Research Staff

For more information, contact

Terrance D. Hubert

U.S. Geological Survey

Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

2360 Fanta Reed Road

La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603

608.781.6227

thubert@usgs.gov

The Bureau of Reclamation identified the need to control 

invasive fishes in the southwestern United States to protect native species. The UMESC reviewed taxon-specific 

piscicides and other management options for controlling 

nonnative fish. The report focuses on the feasibility of 

developing piscicides (chemicals to control unwanted fish) 

selective for specific groups of fishes and suggests developing an integrated management program that combines 

the use of chemicals with other control techniques such 

as barriers, selective removal, and habitat alteration. The 

UMESC is currently engaged in planning research to 

address this problem collaboratively with the Bureau of 

Reclamation.

Integrated pest management of nonnative fishes in the 

southwestern United States