Asian Carp Survivability 

Experiments and Water 

Transport Surveys in the 

Illinois River, Volume I 

January 2013 

Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 
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N O T I C E 

This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of 

Homeland Security in the interest of information exchange. The United 

States Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. 

The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. 

Trade or manufacturers’ names appear herein solely because they are 

considered essential to the object of this report. 

This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. 

 

 

Timothy R. Girton 

Technical Director 

United States Coast Guard 

Research & Development Center 

1 Chelsea Street 

New London, CT 06320 

 
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Technical Report Documentation Page

1. Report No. 2. Government Accession Number 3. Recipient’s Catalog No. 

4. Title and Subtitle 

Asian Carp Survivability Experiments and Water Transport Surveys in the 

Illinois River, Volume I 

5. Report Date 

January 2013 

6. Performing Organization Code 

Project No. 410143 

7. Author(s) 

D. Heilprin, C. Ehrler, Todd Main, Penny Herring 

8. Performing Organization Report No. 

RDC UDI No. 1381 

9. Performing Organization Name and Address 

U.S. Coast Guard 

Research and Development Center 

1 Chelsea Street 

New London, CT 06320 

SAIC 

 23 Clara Drive, Suite 206 

 Mystic, CT 06355-1959 

ECORP 

 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd, Ste A232 

 San Diego, CA 92123 

10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS) 

11. Contract or Grant No. 

Contract HSCG32-10-D-R00021/ 

 Task Order: HSCG32-10-J-R300004 

 Task Order: HSCG32-11-J-R300016 

 Task Order: HSCG32-12-J-R300030 

Contract HSCG32-11-P-E55003 

12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Address 

United States Environmental Protection Agency 

Great Lakes National Program Office 

77 West Jackson Blvd (G-17J) 

Chicago, IL 60604-3511 

13. Type of Report & Period Covered 

Final 

14. Sponsoring Agency Code 

United States Environmental Protection 

Agency 

Great Lakes National Program Office 

15. Supplementary Notes 

The R&D Center's technical point of contact is Gail E. Roderick, 860-271-2658, email: Gail.E.Roderick@uscg.mil. 

16. Abstract (MAXIMUM 200 WORDS) 

This report combines two earlier reports regarding investigations into the potential for barges and towboats to transport Asian

carp upstream across the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ electronic dispersal barrier and release them on the Lake 

Michigan side of the barrier. It summarizes a series of experiments conducted during June 2011 to evaluate the potential for 

Asian carp larvae to be entrained into and survive in barge ballast tanks on the Illinois River. It also describes investigations in 

2010 and 2012 to determine the amount of water normally carried in barge ballast tanks. 

Experiments were conducted in the LaGrange Reach of the Illinois River. Results indicated few Asian carp larvae were entrained

and the majority of entrained fish were non-Asian carp, primarily gizzard shad. Survival of Asian carp larvae in test cages in

tanks was high, even when water quality conditions were not favorable (low dissolved oxygen concentrations). A very small 

percentage (0.56%) of Asian carp survived for 30 minutes after being pumped through either a 2-inch or 3-inch pump. Although 

long-term survival following pumping was not determined, this extremely low survival rate translates to a minimal risk. 

Visual inspections of ballast tanks and voids on 132 barges (empty and loaded) and 14 towboats were completed in the Chicago 

Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) in August 2010. An additional tank survey was conducted in July 2012 on barges operating 

locally near the electronic dispersal barriers. Overall, only 5 percent of the more than 1000 tanks surveyed contained a 

measurable amount of water. Dissolved oxygen (DO) in tanks ranged between 0.44 - 7.80 mg/L. Although the water quality 

conditions were not optimal and water depth was very shallow, tanks could support early developmental stages of Asian carp. 

Volume I of this report contains the descriptions, results, and conclusions from the experiments and surveys as well as a 

description of barge design and normal operating procedures. Volume II is comprised of the appendices containing a test plan for 

experiments and field and laboratory data sheets from the original reports. 

17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement 

Asian carp, barge ballast tank, water quality, 

entrainment, larval survival, LaGrange Reach, 

Illinois River, water transport 

Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release; distribution is 

unlimited. 

19. Security Class (This Report) 

UNCLAS//Public 

20. Security Class (This Page) 

UNCLAS//Public 

21. No of Pages 

80 

22. Price 
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

Survivability Experiments: 

The authors would like to thank the staff of the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), Havana Biological 

Field Station for their assistance with conducting the field data collection on this project. INHS staff who 

helped included Thad Cook, Levi Solomon, Nerissa Michaels, Stephen Tyszko, Blake Ruebush, Cammy 

Smith, Greg Sass, T. D. VanMiddlesworth, Eric Hine, Greg Fretueg, Chase Holtman, Tad Locher, Kenny 

Lookingbill, Clint Morgeson, Emma Trone, Heather Posluszny, Collin Hinz, and Anthony Erickson. We 

would also like to thank Chuck Burlingame from American River Transportation Company (ARTCO) for 

supplying the experimental barge and special thanks to his crew for accommodating us during the field 

work. A special thanks to Phil Moy and Duane Chapman for their review and input during the planning 

stages and on the Final Test Plan and on this report. Thanks to Israel Marquez and Dave Krolick of ECORP 

Consulting for producing the Geographic Information System (GIS) map. Thanks to Susan Helberg, 

Andrew Harmer, and John Steinbeck of Tenera Environmental for their assistance with laboratory larval 

identifications, database setup, data entry, and analysis. SAIC personnel who assisted on this project 

include Steve Ricard, Brad Wilson, and Ron Kesner with technical support and Ardeth Mortensen with 

production support. 

Water Transport Surveys: This effort was supported by the United States Environmental Protection 

Agency, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the United 

States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard would like to thank the following companies for providing access to 

their barges and towboats and for their continued cooperation: 

In 2010 

• Illinois Marine Towing (IMT) 

• American River Transportation Company (ARTCO) 

• Hanson Material Services 

• Kindra Lake Towing 

• American Commercial Lines 

In 2012 

• Illinois Marine Towing (IMT) 

• American River Transportation Company (ARTCO) 

• Hanson Material Services 

• Midwest Generation, LLC 
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The overall purpose of this project was to investigate the potential for Asian carp early life stages to be 

entrained into and survive in barge ballast tanks which might allow these fish to bypass the United States 

(U.S.) Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) electrical dispersal barriers in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship 

Canal (CSSC). Asian carp are non-native, invasive fish that have been steadily migrating up the Mississippi 

River and its tributaries since the mid-1990s. A self-sustaining population of Asian carp exists in the 

Marseilles pool and Asian carp have been identified proximate to the Lockport Lock and Dam. 

Environmental deoxyribonucleic acid (e-DNA) from Asian carp has been found on the lake side of the 

USACE electric dispersal barriers. There is concern that Asian carp eggs, larvae, and fry entrained in 

towboat and barge ballast tanks could be transported upstream past the dispersal barriers, released above the 

barriers, then possibly move into Lake Michigan and eventually into the rest of the Great Lakes. 

In the early 1960s and 1970s, Asian carp (bighead, silver, grass, and black) were brought to the United 

States from Asia to control submersed aquatic vegetation, algae, and mollusks, and also to improve water 

quality of aquaculture ponds and at wastewater treatment facilities. Through pond escapement or by 

deliberate introductions, these species now occur in many of the rivers and back waters throughout the 

Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS). 

USACE has constructed electrical barriers to keep invasive fish from moving between the Illinois River and 

Lake Michigan (and the rest of the Great Lakes). The CSSC Dispersal Barrier now consists of three barriers 

comprised of Barrier I (the Demonstration Barrier) and Barrier II containing a set of two independent 

barriers (IIA and IIB). Each barrier has electrode arrays spanning the entire width of the canal. The 

electrodes pulse direct current into the water, which causes fish to turn back rather than pass through the 

electric current. The barriers currently operate as part of an effort to keep Asian carp from passing through 

the CSSC and into the Great Lakes, but little information exists on potential transport mechanisms for early 

life stages of Asian carp, including eggs and larvae. 

The project required two separate efforts: evaluation of the potential for early life stages of Asian carp to 

survive in barge ballast tanks and a determination of the volume of water being transported across the 

barriers during normal barge operations. 

The survivability study was designed to assess the potential for early life stages of Asian carp to be 

entrained into barge ballast tanks through either cracks or holes in the hull and then survive there. A hopper 

barge was modified by installing valves on 3-inch holes cut into the exterior of its four ballast tanks to 

simulate a barge with a ruptured hull. Valves were opened at set times to entrain water and potentially 

Asian carp larvae. Survival was investigated by placing caged larvae into the flooded tanks for known 

periods of time. In addition, an experiment to assess pump effects was conducted to determine whether 

early life stages of Asian carp could survive a single pass through the type of portable pump normally used 

during barge and towboat ballasting operations. Water quality parameters, including temperature, dissolved 

oxygen (DO), conductivity, potential hydrogen (pH), and ammonia were recorded in the Illinois River, as 

well as in the barge ballast tanks during each experimental trial. 

At selected time intervals, tanks were pumped out and the contents retained in a plankton net were examined 

to determine whether larvae had been entrained. Only three Asian carp larvae were found in the pump-out 
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material during the entrainment trials. However, because the entrainment and survival experiments ran 

concurrently, and because some of the mesh used in the experimental cages was damaged during the study, 

it is possible that these Asian carp larvae escaped from the damaged cages rather than having been 

entrained. The majority of the fish entrained into the tanks and later pumped out were non-Asian carp 

(mainly gizzard shad), which were present in relatively high abundances during some of the river plankton 

tows prior to the initial tank flooding. Results of the survival experiment indicated high survival (low 

mortality) rates for containment periods as long as 144 hours in the flooded tanks. 

The pump effects portion of this study indicated that if entrained, a very small percentage (0.56 percent) of 

Asian carp larvae could survive a single pass through either a 2-inch or 3-inch portable ballasting pump. 

During normal tank deballasting, no hose is attached to the pump discharge and the discharged water falls 

several feet from the barge deck level to the river surface. During this study, however, a discharge hose was 

attached from the pump to below the waterline to allow the pumped water to be directed into and filtered 

through a submerged plankton net. It is uncertain what additional mortality (if any) might have taken place 

had no hose been used on the pump’s discharge and the larvae fell directly from the pump discharge and 

impacted the river surface. Likewise it is not possible to determine the effects of impact with the hose wall. 

Water quality parameters measured during the experiments showed that Asian carp larvae were able to 

withstand a wide range of water quality parameters. The most variable water quality parameter was DO, 

which decreased in the tanks from a maximum of 5.51 milligrams per liter (mg/L) to a level as low as 

0.86 mg/L in the tanks. However, even at these depressed levels, larval survival was not adversely affected. 

It should be noted the study began an estimated 11-13 days after an Asian carp spawning event based on the 

age of the larvae collected in the river at the beginning of the study. Consequently, no eggs or larvae 

younger than this age were available for testing. It is possible that had the experiments been conducted in 

the midst of an Asian carp spawning event (both time and location), entrainment of their eggs and young 

larvae may have been higher through the 3-inch test openings since their avoidance reaction would be less 

developed. 

The water transport study used visual inspections of barge ballast tanks and measured water depth, 

temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in tanks and voids of barges and towboats to assess 

the potential for early developmental stages (eggs and larvae) to survive and potentially be transported 

above the barrier. Initial surveys conducted in the Illinois River in 2010 indicated that most (95 percent) of 

the 969 barge and towboat ballast tanks inspected were dry. For those barge and towboats that contained 

measurable amounts (more than 2 - 3 inches) of water in an individual tank, water temperatures and DO 

concentrations were within published tolerances for either Asian carp or other carp species. 

A follow-on survey of tanks on barges operating in the immediate vicinity of the USACE electric dispersal 

barriers was conducted in July 2012 to determine whether locally operating barges engaged in different 

ballasting procedures and frequencies than the barges surveyed in 2010. Initially, the focus was intended to 

shift from the large barge companies as previously reported to local/small barge providers. It was found that 

there are no small companies that move barges within the dispersal barrier focus area, but a few of the 

previously visited large companies do designate many of their barges to work in the local barrier area. The 

inspection team focused on these local groups of barges to collect data on 39 barges rafted along areas of the 

river and two tugboats. The barges inspected were usually empty and in generally good condition. 

Discussions with operators revealed that ballasting procedures and frequencies were nearly the same for the 

local barges as for the longer distance barges surveyed earlier. Similarly, only 6 percent of the local barge 
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tanks inspected contained water deep enough (about 4 inches) to measure temperature and DO. Temperature 

and DO readings were at the upper ranges of those measured in 2010. Results from this survey of barge 

tanks suggest that water quality conditions in barge and towboat ballast tanks during one season (summer) 

would be able to sustain juvenile to adult Asian carp. 

Results of the overall study indicate that while it may be possible for early life stages to be transported in a 

barge ballast tank for long periods, there is a very low probability that those life stages will survive passage 

through the pump when the tanks are deballasted. Additionally, early life stages are available for 

entrainment or active pumping for a limited time each year. Therefore, barge ballast tanks present a 

minimal risk vector for incidental transport and introduction of Asian carp. 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................................... V

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................... VII

LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................................. XIII

LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................... XIV

LIST OF ACRONYMS, ABBREVATIONS, AND SYMBOLS ............................................................. XV

1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 1

2 SURVIVABILITY OF ASIAN CARP IN BARGE TANKS IN THE ILLINOIS RIVER .............. 1

3 SURVIVABILITY TEST METHODS ................................................................................................. 3

3.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................... 3

3.1.1 Barge Location and Setup ........................................................................................................... 4

3.1.2 River Collections and Results ..................................................................................................... 4

3.2 Entrainment Experiment Methods .................................................................................................... 8

3.3 Survival Experiment Methods .......................................................................................................... 9

3.4 Pump Effects Experiment Methods ................................................................................................ 12

3.5 Lab Analysis ................................................................................................................................... 12

3.6 Water Quality Analysis ................................................................................................................... 12

4 SURVIVABILITY TEST RESULTS ................................................................................................. 14

4.1 Entrainment Experiment Results .................................................................................................... 14

4.2 Survival Experiment Results ........................................................................................................... 16

4.3 Pump Effects Experiment Results ................................................................................................... 21

4.4 Water Quality Results ..................................................................................................................... 22

5 SURVIVABILITY TEST DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS ............................................................. 25

6 WATER TRANSPORT DURING NORMAL OPERATIONS OF TOWBOATS AND 

BARGES IN THE ILLINOIS RIVER ................................................................................................ 29

7 SURVEY METHODS .......................................................................................................................... 29

8 SURVEY RESULTS ............................................................................................................................ 31

8.1 Water Depth .................................................................................................................................... 31

8.1.1 Barges ....................................................................................................................................... 31

8.1.2 Towboats ................................................................................................................................... 33

8.2 Water Temperature ......................................................................................................................... 33

8.2.1 Barges ....................................................................................................................................... 33

8.2.2 Towboats ................................................................................................................................... 33

8.2.3 Ambient Conditions .................................................................................................................. 34
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) 

8.3 Dissolved Oxygen (DO) .................................................................................................................. 34

8.3.1 Barges ....................................................................................................................................... 34

8.3.2 Towboats ................................................................................................................................... 34

8.3.3 Ambient Conditions .................................................................................................................. 34

8.4 Vessel Traffic .................................................................................................................................. 34

9 SURVEY DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................ 35

10 SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................... 37

11 UPDATE FROM 2012 SURVEY OF LOCAL BARGES ................................................................. 37

11.1 Methods Used in 2012 Survey ........................................................................................................ 38

11.2 Results of 2012 Survey ................................................................................................................... 38

11.2.1 Water Depth in Tanks from 2012 Survey ................................................................................. 40

11.2.2 Water Temperatures and Dissolved Oxygen from 2012 Survey .............................................. 41

11.3 Conclusions from 2012 Survey ....................................................................................................... 42

12 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................... 43

12.1 References for “Survivability of Asian Carp in Barge Tanks in the Illinois River” ....................... 43

12.2 References for “Water Transport During Normal operations of Towboats and Barges in the 

Illinois River” .................................................................................................................................. 44

APPENDIX A TEST PLAN ................................................................................................................... A-1

APPENDIX B ASIAN CARP FIELD AND LABORATORY DATA SHEETS ............................... B-1

APPENDIX C SURVEY PHOTOS, AUGUST 2010 ........................................................................... C-1

APPENDIX D SURVEY PHOTOS, JULY-AUGUST 2012 ............................................................... D-1

APPENDIX E 2010 WATER TRANSPORT FIELD DATA SHEETS ............................................. E-1

APPENDIX F 2012 WATER TRANSPORT FIELD DATA SHEETS .............................................. F-1

APPENDIX G TOWBOAT AND BARGE DESIGN AND OPERATION ........................................ G-1
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LIST OF FIGURES 

Figure 1. Sampling area and barge location on Illinois River during Trials 1 and 2, June 2011. .................. 5

Figure 2. Photos of the push plankton net frame construction and sampling during river plankton 

tows. ................................................................................................................................................ 6

Figure 3. Photos from the entrainment experiment. ....................................................................................... 9

Figure 4. Photos from the survival experiment. ............................................................................................ 10

Figure 5. Photos from pump effects experiment. .......................................................................................... 13

Figure 6. Example of material (mainly rust) pumped out of ballast tank during Trial 1. ............................. 16

Figure 7. DO concentration in Illinois River and barge ballast tanks during Trial 1 (top) and Trial 2 

(bottom). ........................................................................................................................................ 24

Figure 8. Illinois River Gage Height at Kingston Mines and Copperas Creek.. ........................................... 26

Figure 9. Barge and towboat ballast tank sampling locations (red dots) along CSSC (red line), 

August 2010. ................................................................................................................................. 30

Figure 10. Water depth (inches), water temperature (°F), and DO concentration (mg/L) for deck 

barge (top) and hopper barge (bottom) ballast tanks sampled in August 2010. .......................... 32

Figure 11. Water depth (inches), water temperature (°F), and DO concentration (mg/L) for towboat 

ballast tanks sampled in August 2010. ......................................................................................... 33

Figure 12. Annual vessel traffic across the electric fish barrier in 2007 ...................................................... 35

Figure 13. Ballast tank hinged manhole hatch. ............................................................................................. 39

Figure 14. Ballast tank removable manhole cover. ....................................................................................... 39

Figure 15. Ballast tank access tubes. ............................................................................................................ 40

Figure 16. Typical tank inspection view. ...................................................................................................... 40

Figure 17. Water Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Comparisons. ......................................................... 41

Figure C-1. Loaded (upper) and unloaded (lower) barges. ......................................................................... C-1

Figure C-2. Interior of empty hopper barge (upper). Loading hopper barge (lower). ................................ C-2

Figure C-3. Raised and flush hatch covers on rafted barges (Upper). Raised access hatch (lower). ......... C-3

Figure D-1. Hopper barge dry-docked for repair, note hull depth to freeboard (upper). Hopper barge 

fully loaded with construction grade sand (lower). ................................................................ D-1

Figure D-2. Loaded barges rafted at construction materials site (upper). Covers being installed to 

protect cargo on hopper barge; note added height (lower). .................................................... D-2

Figure D-3. Barge being loaded with loose material near dispersal barrier (upper). Empty hopper 

barge at Midwest Generation on CSSC (lower). .................................................................... D-3

Figure D-4. Recording data aboard towboat in CSSC (upper). Warning sign on CSSC near dispersal 

barrier (lower). ........................................................................................................................ D-4
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LIST OF TABLES 

Table 1. Date, location, and larval fish in river collections. ........................................................................... 7

Table 2. Summary of filling/emptying dates and times plus water depths of varying tank fills during 

Trials 1 and 2. ................................................................................................................................... 8

Table 3. Proposed and actual exposure times (hours) for survival experiment Trial 1 test cages. ............... 11

Table 4. Proposed and actual exposure times (hours) for survival experiment Trial 2 test cages. ............... 11

Table 5. Summary of stage number, stage name, length, and days post-fertilization for silver carp 

larvae from translation of Yi et al. (1988) by Chapman (2006).. ................................................... 14

Table 6. Number of fish larvae collected after pump-out of ballast tanks following different exposure 

periods during Trials 1 and 2. ......................................................................................................... 15

Table 7. Ballast tank cages: number of alive and dead Asian carp, non-Asian carp, and damaged 

larvae after varying exposure periods in cages during Trials 1 and 2. ........................................... 18

Table 8. Control Cages: Number of alive and dead Asian carp, non-Asian carp, and damaged larvae 

after varying exposure periods during Trials 1 and 2. .................................................................... 19

Table 9. Ballast tank cages: summary of number of alive and dead Asian carp larvae of each stage 

for three test cages deployed for different exposure intervals during Trials 1 and 2. ..................... 20

Table 10. Control cages: summary of number of alive and dead Asian carp larvae of each stage for 

three cages deployed for different exposure intervals during Trials 1 and 2. ............................. 20

Table 11. List of non-Asian carp larvae used in the survival experiments or collected during river 

sampling. ....................................................................................................................................... 21

Table 12. Summary of observations of larvae following passage through a 2-inch or 3-inch pump and 

hose.. .............................................................................................................................................. 22

Table 13. Summary of water quality measurement recorded during Trials 1 and 2, June 2011. ................. 23

Table 14. Vessel company and location of barge and towboat sampling, August 2010. ............................. 31

Table 15. Vessel Company and Location of Barge and Towboat Sampled, July-August 2012. .................. 38

Table 16. Barge Tank Water Content, July-August 2012. ............................................................................ 41
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LIST OF ACRONYMS, ABBREVATIONS, AND SYMBOLS 

μS/cm microSiemens per centimeter 

ARTCO American River Transportation Company 

oC degrees Centigrade 

CAWS Chicago Area Waterway System 

CSSC Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal 

DNA deoxyribonucleic acid 

DO dissolved oxygen 

e-DNA Environmental deoxyribonucleic acid 

EPA Environmental Protection Agency 

ft feet 

GIS Geographic Information System 

GLRI Great Lakes Restoration Initiative 

IDNR Illinois Department of Natural Resources 

IMT Illinois Marine Towing 

in inch 

INHS Illinois Natural History Survey 

KLT Kindra Lake Towing 

LTRMP Long Term Resources Monitoring Program 

m3

 cubic meter 

mg/L milligrams per liter 

mm millimeter 

nc not collected 

NIS Non-indigenous species 

pH potential hydrogen 

R river 

RDC Research & Development Center 

TAN total ammonia nitrogen 

ULT Upper lethal temperature 

U.S. United States 

UMRS Upper Mississippi River System 

USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers 

USCG United States Coast Guard 

USGS U.S. Geological Survey 

YSI Yellow Springs Instrument 
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1 INTRODUCTION 

This report is a combination of two earlier reports to ensure that all information from the effort to assess the 

potential risk for early life stages of Asian carp to be transported across the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers 

electronic dispersal barrier is available in one consolidated report. These efforts included experiments to 

determine the likelihood of early life stages being entrained into and survive in barge ballast tanks as well as 

surveys of barge ballast tanks to determine the amount of non-potable water being transported across the 

barriers in tanks. Due to the size of data appendices, this report consists of two volumes. 

Volume I contains the full text from “Survivability of Asian Carp in Barge Tanks in the Illinois River” as 

the primary report and that from “Water Transport during Normal Operations of Towboats and Barges in the 

Illinois River” as supporting information. Sections 2 – 5 are the complete text from “Survivability of Asian 

Carp in Barge Tanks in the Illinois River”. Sections 7 – 12 are the complete text from “Water Transport 

during Normal Operations of Towboats and Barges in the Illinois River”. Appendix F, “Towboat and Barge 

Design and Operation”, provides a description of barge design and operating procedures used on 

commercial barges. 

Volume II is comprised of appendices to the two earlier reports that are now consolidated in Volume I. 

Volume II includes the test plan for the entrainment experiments described in “Survivability of Asian Carp 

in Barge Tanks in the Illinois River” as Appendix A. The field and laboratory data sheets from the 

survivability experiments are Appendices B1-B9. Field data sheets from the tank surveys are Appendices C 

and D. 

2 SURVIVABILITY OF ASIAN CARP IN BARGE TANKS IN THE ILLINOIS 

RIVER 

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential for early life stages (eggs, larvae, or juveniles) of 

Asian carp to be entrained into and survive in barge ballast tanks. Specifically, this study was designed to 

address the question of whether barges and towboats can potentially provide a means for these stages to 

bypass the United States (U.S.) Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) electrical dispersal barrier in the 

Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC). A previous survey of 969 ballast tanks on barges and towboats 

showed that only five percent of the tanks contained more than a few inches of water. 

Asian carp (bighead, silver, grass, and black) were brought to the United States in the early 1960s and 1970s 

and now inhabit the waters of the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS). These species were used to 

control submersed aquatic vegetation, algae, and mollusks in ponds thereby improving water quality of 

aquaculture ponds and in wastewater treatment facilities (Chapman & Hoff, 2011) and “to develop 

nonchemical and environmental friendly control mechanisms” (Kelly et al., 2011). Asian carp invaded 

nearby rivers through pond escapement or by deliberate release. Asian carp reproduce rapidly when the 

conditions are favorable. All four species of Asian carp are now well established in the Mississippi River 

basin (Chapman & Hoff, 2011). Biologists, policy makers, and citizens are deeply concerned about the 

prospects of Asian carp entering Lake Michigan through the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). 

Sparks et al. (2011) stated that if bighead and silver carp enter Lake Michigan, they will directly compete 

for food resources with a number of well-established sport fishes. 
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The United States Army Corps of Engineers constructed a permanent electrical barrier (the CSSC Aquatic 

Nuisance Species Dispersal Barrier) to protect Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes from invasive 

species movements between the Mississippi River and lakes. This electric barrier was originally conceived 

as a method to prevent the movement of non-native fishes through the CAWS. The round goby was the first 

target species but it moved out of Lake Michigan and through the proposed barrier location into the Illinois 

River before construction of the original barrier was complete. The CSSC Dispersal Barrier consists of 

three electric barriers (formally Barrier I and II) with Barrier II having two independently operating barriers 

(IIA and IIB), each consisting of 42 electrodes spanning the width of the canal. The electrodes pulse direct 

current into the water at a strength and frequency that causes fish to turn back rather than pass through the 

electric current. The barriers are operating in an effort to keep Asian carp from moving upstream and 

possibly entering Lake Michigan. 

Bighead and silver carp have recently been found downstream of the CSSC and environmental 

deoxyribonucleic acid (e-DNA) from these species has been found upstream of the barrier (Moy et al., 2011; 

Jerde et al., 2011). Although the actual source of the positive e-DNA hits has not been found, experiments 

have shown that e-DNA can persist in water up to 48 hours (Jerde et al., 2010). Towboat operators have 

reported that Asian carp will occasionally land on the towboat or barge and either die there or leave blood 

and mucous on the deck until the boat crew hoses down the deck. Thus, it is possible that Asian carp e-DNA 

could be carried across the barriers by vessel traffic. 

There is also concern that Asian carp eggs, larvae, and juveniles may be taken up in ballast or leakage water 

of towboats and barges and potentially be transported through the dispersal barrier. If the fish are 

discharged upstream of the dispersal barrier, there is concern that Asian carp could advance into Lake 

Michigan. While the barrier operates to keep Asian carp from continuing to move upriver, little information 

exists on potential transport mechanisms for early life stages of Asian carp (Moy et al., 2011). 

Irons et al. (2011) reporting on sampling in the La Grange Reach of the Illinois River from 1990 through 

2006 stated that the catch of adult silver and bighead carp began in 2000. The peak in abundance of bighead 

carp was in 2000 followed by a decline to very low levels in 2005 and 2006. Silver carp abundance peaked 

in 2004 and then decreased between 2004 and 2006 in the La Grange Reach, however Irons et al. (2011) 

stated that the sampling equipment was ineffective in the collection of the largest individuals, with 

individuals being observed swimming away from the capture boat. They also observed good recruitment of 

both bighead and silver carp (based on catch of fish less than about 200 millimeter [mm]) during 2000 and 

2003. However, recruitment of both species was poor in 2001, 2002, and 2005. Sass et al. (2010) reported 

that the La Grange Reach of the Illinois River had a conservative estimate of 2,544 silver carp with a 

biomass of 5.5 metric tons per river kilometer during 2007-2008. They estimated that silver carp made up 

about 51 percent of the total fish collected by the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) in 

the La Grange Reach. No estimate of bighead carp abundance was presented in this paper. 

Papoulias et al. (2006) found that bighead and silver carp can have a long annual spawning season each year 

in the Missouri River and appear to be able to spawn more than one time during each year. They found that 

from 2003 through 2005, silver carp spawned as early as late March when the water temperature had 

reached about 14 oC while bighead carp did not begin spawning until about early May when the temperature 

was about 19-20 oC. Irons et al. (2011) stated that the critical spawning temperature for bigheaded carp was 

18 oC. Coulter & Goforth (2011) found Asian carp eggs in the Wabash River, Indiana, from May through 

July during 2011. Several studies, including Jennings (1988), DeGrandchamp et al. (2007), Kolar et al. 
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(2007), Lohmeyer & Garvey (2009), and Irons et al. (2011) also stated that Asian carp spawning is 

positively correlated to increasing river flow. DeGrandchamp et al. (2007) also stated that high river flow 

does not appear to be critical for reproduction to take place but may aid in egg and larval survival. 

Yi et al. (1988, as translated in Chapman, 2006) described the characteristics of the 48 early developmental 

stages of the eggs and larvae of the four species of Asian carp in the Yangtze River. These stages begin 

with egg fertilization and end with the larvae transition into a juvenile. Egg development to hatching takes 

place quickly. Yi et al. (1988) reported that bighead carp in the field hatch about 39 hours after fertilization 

while Chapman & George (2011) found hatching in the laboratory after 31 to 45 hours depending on 

incubation temperature. Silver carp hatch between 26 to 45 hours after fertilization in the laboratory 

(Chapman & George, 2011) while Yi et al (1988) reported hatching in the Yangtze River after about 

38 hours. Development to the juvenile stage in silver and bighead carp was estimated to take about 60-70 

days after fertilization (Yi et al. 1988). 

Chapman & George (2011) reported that newly hatched bighead and silver carp larvae immediately begin a 

vertical swimming motion when they were not resting; this swimming motion changes to a horizontal 

direction near the water surface at larval Stage 36 (when the eyes become pigmented) which is about 100 

hours after fertilization. By Stage 38 at about 146 hours after fertilization (referred to as the one-chambergas-bladder stage), larvae swim horizontally at varying depths between resting periods. These authors also 

reported that larvae began to move out of the river channel into the slower water near shore about 100+ 

hours post hatching (about Stage 37 when the gas bladder forms). 

The current study was designed to evaluate the potential for entrainment of early life stages of Asian carp 

into barge tanks via leaking hulls and to assess their survival in barge ballast water. Another aspect of the 

study was to assess survival of these life stages after being pumped through a portable pump. This study 

was not designed to directly address the question of survival of early life stages being transported across the 

electric barriers while in a ballast tank. 

3 SURVIVABILITY TEST METHODS 

3.1 Overview 

Two experimental trials, each lasting approximately 7 days, were conducted from June 11-24, 2011, within 

the La Grange Reach of the Illinois River, just down river (south) of Peoria, IL. River plankton sampling 

began June 9 in an attempt to locate high concentrations of Asian carp eggs and young larvae. With few 

exceptions, all field and laboratory methods followed an approved Study Plan (Volume II, Appendix A). 

Details concerning minor changes to the approved Study Plan are presented below. Modifications ranged 

from changes in the experimental locations to changes in cage holding times. 

The decision to begin in early June was based on the suggestion of Dr. Greg Sass (pers. comm., June 1, 

2011, Director, Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), Havana Biological Field Station). He felt that the 

river water temperature was right for spawning and the river was rising due to thunderstorms in the region. 

He also mentioned that there had been reports of Asian carp swimming at the surface with possible 

spawning having already taken place. By June 9 when sampling began, the river was 6-8 feet above its 

average height for that time of year and was considered to be in flood conditions, which had a direct impact 

on both sampling and testing locations (see Section 4). 
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3.1.1 Barge Location and Setup 

All experiments took place on a hopper barge secured to the outboard side of a deck barge. The barges were 

provided by American River Transportation Company (ARTCO) and were moored at the ARTCO Fleeting 

Services dock in Pekin, IL (Figure 1). ARTCO modified the four ballast tanks of the hopper barge by 

drilling one 3-inch diameter hole below the waterline in the side of each tank and fitting each with a gate 

valve to allow tank flooding. The modification was intended to simulate a leak for potential entrainment of 

larvae. Each of the four ballast tanks on the modified barge was filled by opening the valve and then 

emptied using a Honda WB20X (2-inch hose) or WB30X (3-inch hose) pump. These types of pumps are 

used by most barge operators during normal operations to fill or empty their ballast tanks. The ballast water 

was pumped out of each tank and into a plankton net suspended in the river water in a spud well on the 

adjacent deck barge. The pump’s discharge hose emptied below the waterline inside the plankton net.. 

3.1.2 River Collections and Results 

Plankton tows were used to identify areas where Asian carp eggs and larvae could be found in the La 

Grange Reach of the Illinois River. Tows were conducted on 9-10 June prior to Trial 1, on 18 June prior to 

Trial 2, and on a few days during both trials. The majority of the tows were conducted using a plankton net 

attached to a wood frame (Figure 2) lowered off the bow of a boat supplied by the INHS, Havana Biological 

Field Station. In general, tows were run diagonally across the channel from one shore to the other. 

Results of these tows and visual observation indicated that no Asian carp eggs and very low concentrations 

of their larvae were present in the channel location; however, larval Asian carp were present in significantly 

higher abundances in shallow water habitats along the shoreline, generally between the flooded tree trunks. 

Consequently, larvae were collected using small dip nets from shallow water locations along the shoreline 

and were used during both trials for the survival and pump effects studies. All Asian carp larvae collected 

in the larger nets in the main river channel were generally of the same size as those collected in higher 

numbers along the shoreline near the flooded tree line. 
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Figure 1. Sampling area and barge location on Illinois River during Trials 1 and 2, June 2011. 
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Plankton net frame construction Plankton net on frame

Plankton net being lower into the water Identifying organisms collected in plankton net using 

headband magnifier

Figure 2. Photos of the push plankton net frame construction and sampling during river plankton tows. 

A second result of finding few to no larvae in the main channel was that it would not be possible to follow 

one cohort of larvae as they drifted downriver as was initially planned. It was therefore decided to moor the 

experimental barge and an additional deck barge at the ARTCO facility in Pekin with the valve openings at 

the edge of the channel thereby allowing river water to flow freely past the openings. 

Table 1 presents a summary of the plankton net tow dates, locations, and the main species of fish larvae 

found on each collection day. For the first two collections (9-10 June), a 500 micron mesh net was towed 

from the side of the boat in the upper 3-6 ft (feet) of the water column for about 5 minutes. Generally, the 

rest of the tows were about 5-10 minutes long using a 500-micron mesh net suspended off the front of the 

boat while it was motored upstream either into or across the river flow. This net setup filtered water from 

approximately the upper 30 inches (in) of the water column. The majority of the tows were across the river 

from bank to bank. The volume of water was not determined during the first series of tows, as the emphasis 

was to try to locate high concentrations of Asian carp eggs or larvae in the main channel and along the 

shoreline. If a high density had been found, a flowmeter would have been attached to the net to determine 
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volume filtered to find the actual egg or larval concentration. During the 22-23 June tows, a flowmeter was 

added to the net to generate an estimate of the water volume filtered. The volume per tow ranged from 

about 100 to 235 cubic meters (m3

) (~26,000 to 62,000 gallons). As can be seen in the table, no Asian carp 

eggs and only low abundances of their larvae were found. 

Table 1. Date, location, and larval fish in river collections. 

Note: The total number of all larvae collected during each tow was not determined*. 

Date Location Number of Tows Larval Fish 

6/9/11 ARTCO’s launch ramp to Pekin Landing. Tows 

were conducted within the upper 6 ft of the water 

column either across the channel or along the 

shore just outside of the tree line. 

6 Mainly gizzard shad. Four Asian 

carp total in all six tows. 

6/10/11 ARTCO’s launch ramp to Kickapoo Creek and in 

Copperas Creek area. Main tows were within 

upper 3-6 ft of the water column either across the 

channel or along the shore just outside of the tree 

line. 

5 Asian carp found along shoreline 

in rock rubble and in water around 

trees. River and creek tows 

collected mainly gizzard shad, 

with about 50 Asian carp total for 

all tows. 

6/15/11 Up and down river from Havana (estimate 

covered 15 miles of river while sampling). Main 

tows within about the upper 30 inches of the water 

column either across the channel or along the 

shore just outside of the tree line. 

9 5-50 Asian carp per tow with most 

of the larvae being gizzard shad. 

Highest number of Asian carp was 

near Liverpool. 

6/16/11 Sampled from Pekin to Upper Peoria Lake. Main 

tows within about the upper 30 inches of the water 

column either across the channel or along the 

shore just outside of the tree line. 

6 2-20 Asian carp per tow with most 

of the larvae being gizzard shad. 

6/22/11 Sampled from Pekin to Peoria Lock and Dam 

(estimate covered 4-5 river miles while sampling). 

Main tows within about the upper 30 inches of the 

water column either across the channel or along 

the shore just outside of the tree line. Volume per 

tow varied from about 110 to 235 m3

 (~29,000-

62,000 gallons). 

5 0-5 Asian carp per tow with most 

of the larvae being gizzard shad. 

6/23/11 Up and down river from Havana (estimate 

covered 6-8 miles of river while sampling). One 

sample conducted at Toehead Island which 

historically has been area with high spawning 

activity. Main tows within about the upper 30 

inches of the water column either across the 

channel or along the shore just outside of the tree 

line. Volume per tow varied from about 100 to 

130 m3

 (~26,000-34,000 gallons). 

5 No Asian carp. Larvae mainly 

gizzard shad. 

*Total number of all larval fish for tows presented in this table ranged from 0 to an estimated 500 per tow. The highest 

numbers were due mainly to gizzard shad collected between upper and lower Peoria Lakes. 
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3.2 Entrainment Experiment Methods 

To evaluate potential entrainment of larval Asian carp into barge ballast tanks, four experimental tanks on 

the hopper barge were flooded, emptied, and contents analyzed during Trials 1 and 2 according to the timing 

presented in Table 2 (see Volume II, Appendix A, Table 2 for planned timing). Asian carp entrainment 

experiments ran concurrently with the survival experiments (see Section 3.3 below). A plankton net 

(500 micron mesh) was suspended in river water inside a spud well on the adjacent deck barge while each 

tank was emptied into the net using a portable pump and discharge hose positioned below the water surface 

inside the net (Figure 3). A 2-inch pump was used during the first pump-out only; a 3-inch pump was used 

to empty the tanks during all other pump-out events. The pump operated at full throttle during pump out 

process until the tank water level reached approximately 6 inches remaining. The pump rate was then 

reduced to about half-throttle to avoid losing suction. (Such rate reduction is common practice during 

normal barge operations.) The plankton net cod ends were emptied and analyzed twice during each tank 

pump-out. All entrained larvae, live or dead, were removed and placed in labeled vials for subsequent 

laboratory identification and staging. The volume of water pumped from each tank was estimated using the 

dimensions of the tanks supplied by ARTCO and the depth of water prior to and after pumping. 

Table 2. Summary of filling/emptying dates and times plus water depths of varying tank fills during Trials 

1 and 2. 

Start Date Location Tank Fill Date Filled Time 

Filled 

Date 

Emptied 

Time 

Emptied 

Filled 

Water 

Depth 

(in.) 

Trial 1 

6/11/11 Pekin Dock T1 F1 6/11/11 9:25 06/11/11 17:30 51 

6/11/11 Pekin Dock T1 F2 6/11/11 21:23 06/17/11 9:30 48 

6/11/11 Pekin Dock T2 F1 6/11/11 9:25 06/12/11 9:30 54 

6/11/11 Pekin Dock T2 F2 6/12/11 12:00 06/17/11 9:15 50.5 

6/11/11 Pekin Dock T3 F1 6/11/11 9:37 06/13/11 9:30 44 

6/11/11 Pekin Dock T3 F2 6/13/11 12:12 06/17/11 10:45 47 

6/11/11 Pekin Dock T4 F1 6/11/11 9:30 06/14/11 9:35 41 

6/11/11 Pekin Dock T4 F2 6/14/11 11:50 06/17/11 11:45 48 

Trial 2 

6/18/11 Pekin Dock T1 F1 6/18/11 11:20 06/24/11 11:45 56 

6/18/11 Pekin Dock T1 F2 No Fill #2 

6/18/11 Pekin Dock T2 F1 6/18/11 10:35 06/19/11 10:30 59 

6/18/11 Pekin Dock T2 F2 6/19/11 13:32 06/24/11 9:45 45 

6/18/11 Pekin Dock T3 F1 6/18/11 11:00 06/20/11 10:45 48 

6/18/11 Pekin Dock T3 F2 6/20/11 13:10 06/24/11 10:00 48 

6/18/11 Pekin Dock T4 F1 6/18/11 11:10 06/21/11 10:55 49 

6/18/11 Pekin Dock T4 F2 6/21/11 13:00 06/24/11 11:30 48 

Due to the low concentration of larvae found during river tows prior to Trial 1, additional plankton tows 

were not conducted during tank flooding. However, a plankton net was deployed alongside the barge while 

the ballast tanks were being flooded for the entrainment experiment during Trial 2. The 500 mm mesh 

plankton net (Figure 3, lower right) was deployed to a depth similar to the tank valve depth to determine if 
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Asian carp or other species of larval fish were present in the water column and could potentially be 

entrained. 

Pumps for emptying tanks Pump and hose setup 

Emptying tank into plankton net in spud well Plankton net 

Figure 3. Photos from the entrainment experiment. 

3.3 Survival Experiment Methods 

As mentioned above, plankton tows were used to identify areas in the La Grange Reach where Asian carp 

eggs and larvae could be obtained. Results of these tows indicated that eggs were absent and larvae were 

not present in high enough numbers to conduct the survival study in the channel location itself. Larval 

Asian carp but not eggs were present in shallow water habitats along the shoreline, therefore larvae used in 

the survival experiments were collected with dip nets from shallow water locations along the shore. For 

Trials 1 and 2 approximately 30 larvae were placed in each of three cages in each ballast tank (Figure 4) for 

a range of exposure times as shown in Table 3 and Table 4, respectively. In addition, control cages were 

deployed in the river during both trials for various exposure times, as indicated in Table 3 and Table 4. 
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Example cage used in survival experiment Example of larvae collected for survival experiment

Preparing cages for survival experiment Cages suspended in ballast tank

Control cages in river (strong current area) Control cages in river (weak current area)

Figure 4. Photos from the survival experiment. 
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Table 3. Proposed and actual exposure times (hours) for survival experiment Trial 1 test cages. 

Cage Set Proposed Exposure Times

(hrs) 

Actual Exposure Times 

(hrs) 

1 8 8 

2 24 24 

3 48 48 

4 72 72 

5 80 72* 

6 92 94* 

7 104 117* 

8 108 132* 

 

Control 1 8 8 

Control 2 24 24 

Control 3 48 65* 

Control 4 72 72 

Control 5 96 118* 

*Times changed from Final Test Plan (Error! Reference source not found.) 

Table 4. Proposed and actual exposure times (hours) for survival experiment Trial 2 test cages. 

Cage Set Proposed Exposure Times

(hrs) 

Actual Exposure Times 

(hrs) 

1 8 144* 

2 24 144* 

3 48 144* 

4 72 144* 

 

Control 1 24 143* 

Control 2 48 143* 

Control 60** 72 120* 

Control 90** 72 120* 

*Times extended over Final Test Plan (Volume II, Appendix A) 

**The 60 and 90 indicate the total number of larvae that were initially placed 

in these control cages. 

Cages were 5-gallon plastic buckets with lids. Openings cut in the bucket sides and lids were covered with 

500-micron mesh netting to allow water circulation (Figure 4). Keeping the mesh attached over the cage 

opening was a problem once the trials began. Initially, aquarium-grade silicone was used but it was 

determined that this did not bond securely enough to the bucket walls. Hot glue used along the edge of the 

mesh generally secured the mesh adequately for the testing. A few cages required repair to the mesh 

covering more than once. 
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3.4 Pump Effects Experiment Methods 

The pump effects experiments assessed whether larvae were able to survive the pumping process that occurs 

during ballasting operations. This study occurred in conjunction with the entrainment and survival studies. 

Larvae for this experiment were collected at shore locations using similar methods to those described above 

for the survival experiment (Section 3.3). The pump intake hose was placed in the river and a large number 

of larvae were released from a 5-gallon bucket into the water near the intake hose while the pump was 

operating. Larvae were sucked through the hose and pump and were discharged into a plankton net 

suspended in a spud well, similar to methods used for the entrainment study (Figure 5). Two-inch and 

3-inch water pumps (Honda WB20X and WB30X pumps, respectively) were tested during both trials. No 

count was made in the field of the number of larvae initially released near the hose intake or collected in the 

plankton net cod end during each test run. The number of larvae collected during one pump test was 

estimated by counting the number of larvae in a photo taken following collection. This estimate of the 

number of larvae passing through the pump was used for all the other pump effects tests. 

Samples collected in the plankton net were placed in water in small plastic containers and the number of live 

larvae recorded immediately after collection. The sealed containers were then placed in a bucket of water to 

keep the samples’ water temperature stable during a 30-minute holding period. After 30 minutes the 

number of live larvae was recorded to assess potential effects of pumping on their viability after passing 

through the pump assembly. 

3.5 Lab Analysis 

Labeled vials containing the live and dead larvae from the entrainment and survival experiments and the 

river-collected larvae were returned to the lab for identification, staging, and enumeration. All larvae that 

survived passing through the pump in the pump effects experiments were also placed in labeled vials and 

returned to the laboratory for processing. The stage number of each Asian carp larvae (Table 5) was 

determined based on Yi et al. (1988). Data from the entrainment, survival, and pump effects samples were 

recorded on laboratory datasheets. The stage and status (live or dead) of each Asian carp larva was recorded 

for the entrainment and survival trials. The number and status was also recorded for each non-Asian carp 

larva collected during these experiments. All recorded data were entered into a Microsoft® Office Access® 

database and verified for completeness and accuracy prior to the development of summary tables. 

3.6 Water Quality Analysis 

Water quality parameters from the flooded tanks and the Illinois River were recorded during the entrainment 

and survival experiments based on the filling and emptying schedule (Table 2). Water quality data included 

tank water depth, water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), potential hydrogen (pH), and total ammonia 

nitrogen (TAN). All water quality samples were collected at the water surface in the ballast tanks and the 

river. A Yellow Springs Instrument (YSI) water quality probe was used to collect temperature and DO. 

During Trial 1, total ammonia was measured using an API® Freshwater Ammonia Test Kit. No pH testing 

was conducted during Trial 1. During Trial 2, ammonia and pH were measured using API Freshwater 

Ammonia and pH Test Kits, respectively. 
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Impeller from 3-inch portable water pump Hose location for pump effects experiment

Example of larvae used for pump effects experiment Releasing larvae into river near pump intake

Larvae and juvenile fish (approximately 3 inches) condition after going through pump

Figure 5. Photos from pump effects experiment. 
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Table 5. Summary of stage number, stage name, length, and days post-fertilization for silver carp larvae 

from translation of Yi et al. (1988) by Chapman (2006). Stages 1-30 were egg development 

stages. 

Stage # Stage Name Length 

(mm) 

Hours or Days 

PostFertilization 

31 hatching 6.1 38 hours 

32 rudimentary-pectoral-fin 6.3 48 hours 

33 gill-arch 6.8 53 hours 

34 xanthic-eye 7.2 63 hours 

35 gill-filament 7.6 74 hours 

36 melanoid-eye 8.0 92 hours 

37 gas-bladder-emergence 8.2 106 hours 

38 one-chamber-gas-bladder 8.5 146 hours 

39 yolk-absorption 8.7 168 hours 

40 dorsal-fin-differentiation 9.0 212 hours 

41 notochord-tip-lifting 9.4 240 hours 

42 two-chamber-gas-bladder 10.3 279 hours 

43 pelvic-fin-bud 11.2 312 hours 

44 dorsal-fin-formation 14.1 19 days 

45 anal-fin-formation 15.7 22 days 

46 pelvic-fin-formation 17.0 25 days 

47 squamation 20.0 34-55 days 

48 juvenile 34.0 60-90 days 

4 SURVIVABILITY TEST RESULTS 

4.1 Entrainment Experiment Results 

The volume of water pumped out of each ballast tank was determined using the dimensions of the tanks 

provided by ARTCO. The depth of water in the ballast tanks varied from 41 to 59 inches with a mean depth 

of 49 inches. In spite of splitting the ballast tank pump out into two collection periods, the net’s cod end 

captured a significant amount of rust. To avoid damage to captured larvae from additional rust particles, 

pumping was halted when an estimated average of 4.5 inches of water remained in each tank. The average 

volume pumped from the tanks during the two trials was calculated to be 9,092 gallons with a minimum of 

8,183 gallons and a maximum of 10,203 gallons (Table 6). The water depths used to estimate the volume of 

water pumped from each tank are provided on field data sheets in Appendix B1 (See Volume II for 

appendices.) All other field and laboratory datasheets are presented in Volume II, Appendices B2 through 

B9. 

The number and type of larvae found in the material pumped out of the ballast tanks during the entrainment 

studies are also presented in Table 6. In all instances the pump-out material included a large amount of rust 

particles (Figure 6). All larvae, regardless of species, were found dead when they were removed from the 

pump-out material from the tanks. It could not be determined if the larvae died in the tanks, were killed by 

passing though the pump and hose, or were killed by being hit or smothered by rust while in the cod end. 

Only three Asian carp larvae, one each of stage 41, 44, or 45, were found during these collections. It is not 

certain if these Asian carp larvae were entrained into the ballast tanks during flooding or if they escaped 
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from a damaged cage from the survival study. The majority of the fish collected during the entrainment 

study were non-Asian carp, mainly gizzard shad. Gizzard shad were found in relatively high abundance 

during some of the river tows in the days leading up to the initial flooding for Trial 1. A few damaged 

larvae that could not be visually identified were also collected. The laboratory datasheets for the 

entrainment experiment are presented in Volume II, Appendices B3 and B6. 

Table 6. Number of fish larvae collected after pump-out of ballast tanks following different exposure 

periods during Trials 1 and 2. Note that all larvae were dead. Blank cells mean no larvae found. 

Tank # Fill 

# 

Hours 

Exposed 

Asian Carp Larvae 

by Stage 

NonAsian 

Carp 

Larvae 

Damaged 

Larvae 

Volume Pumped

from Tank 

(gallon) 41 44 45 

Trial 1 

1 1 8 2 9,305 

2 1 24 1 9,642 

3 1 48 13 8,519 

4 1 72 1 3 14 8,183 

4 2 72 1 8,968 

3 2 94 1 8,856 

2 2 117 9,249 

1 2 132 1 8,968 

Trial 1 Total 1 0 1 21 14 71,690 

Trial 2 

1 1 144 1 9,866 

2 1 24 1 1 10,203 

3 1 48 5 8,968 

4 1 72 1 2 1 9,080 

4 2 70.5 2 8,968 

3 2 96 8,968 

2 2 115 8,632 

1 2 Tank 1 only filled one time during this trial 

Trial 2 Total 0 1 0 11 2 64,685 
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Figure 6. Example of material (mainly rust) pumped out of ballast tank during Trial 1. 

During Trial 2, icthyoplankton samples were collected in the river alongside the tug and barge while the 

ballast tanks were being filled. Two to three samples were collected each day during each of the four filling 

events (at 0, 24, 48, 72 hours). The volume of water filtered through the plankton net varied from 6,399 to 

16,970 gallons with a per sample average of 8,366 gallons. (Scanned field datasheet example is shown in 

Volume II, Appendix B). The density of larval fish collected during these alongside collections was 

calculated at 33 to 48 individuals per 9,000 gallons (the approximate average volume of water pumped from 

each ballast tank). No Asian carp larvae were found in any of these river samples. The larval fish 

concentration in the river was higher than that found in the water pumped from the ballast tanks during this 

trial. The actual reason for the difference is unknown but could be due to a number of causes including, but 

not limited to, larval patchiness, avoidance activity by the advanced stage of larvae, and the difference in the 

capture efficiency of the open plankton net versus the suction created by the 3-inch hole in the ballast tanks. 

4.2 Survival Experiment Results 

Survival tests were conducted from 11-24 June 2011 using fish larvae collected from near the shoreline, 

generally from around submerged trees. The larvae were of the same general size as the few found in the 

channel. 

The larvae used for the testing were a mixture of both Asian carp and non-Asian carp larvae. Initial 

attempts to separate the larval species with the aid of a dissecting microscope subjected the larvae to too 

much handling and damaged them. Therefore, both Asian carp and non-Asian carp were placed into the test 

cages to minimize handling of the collected larvae. A higher proportion of Asian carp larvae made up the 

larval mixture collected during Trial 2 than Trial 1 due to the decrease in the abundance of non-Asian carp 

larvae in shoreline collection areas. 

The target initial count was 30 larvae per test cage. As indicated in Section 3.3, some of the mesh on 

several cages became loose during the testing due to failure of the adhesive. This potentially allowed some 

larvae to escape, causing a reduction in the total number of larvae remaining in a cage at the conclusion of 

the test interval for that cage. 

Control cages were placed in two areas in the river near the barge. During the first two days in Trial 1, the 

control cages were lowered into the river alongside the tug, but the fast river flow and large amount of 

floating debris in this location caused extensive damage to the mesh of the cages, allowing larvae to escape. 
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Therefore, the location of the control cages was changed to a more “protected” area for the remainder of the 

survival experiment. All control cages for most of Trial 1 and all of Trial 2 were located in the same 

protected area where the river current was substantially reduced and there was less large floating debris such 

as logs and branches. (See Figure 4.) 

The control cages in both locations experienced higher sediment loads than cages in the tanks, thus the 

control larvae were not subjected to the same water conditions as those in cages placed in the ballast tanks. 

Once the water entered the ballast tanks, there was little water movement and the suspended sediment 

tended to settle to the bottom of the barge with only a small amount of sediment going into each cage. The 

control cages in the river, however, had a constant supply of new sediment that could enter the cage through 

the mesh and then settle out due to the decreased water movement within the cage. Upon inspection, the 

higher sediment load in the control cages at both locations did not appear to affect larval Asian carp 

survival. 

The number of larvae at the conclusion of each test interval for each set of three cages in the tanks or as 

controls are presented in Table 7 and Table 8. The tables show the number of each type of larvae that were 

alive and dead at the end of each exposure interval. In addition, Table 7 tables present the percent of Asian 

carp that were alive after these exposures. Larvae from all three cages in each tank were combined and are 

presented as the total for each exposure interval. Likewise, the numbers in Table 8 are the combined results 

from three control cages except as noted. Asian carp survival rates during the study ranged from 92 percent 

to 100 percent in the ballast tank cages and 89 percent to 100 percent in the control cages. The mean 

percent survival of Asian carp larvae during all test intervals was 97.0 percent in the test cages and 

97.6 percent in the control cages. Scanned laboratory datasheets for the survival experiments are presented 

in Volume II, Appendices B4, B5, B7, and B8. 

During Trial 1, longer exposure intervals did not significantly decrease survival. The lowest survival was 

after a 48-hour exposure period. Prior to pumping the water out of and then refilling each of the ballast 

tanks during Trial 2, the test cages were removed from the tanks and a visual assessment was made of the 

status of the larvae in each cage. Larval survival was always high, therefore the larvae were not removed 

from the cages. The cages were kept on the deck in the shade during pump out and flooding and were 

replaced into the ballast tanks once the tank was refilled. This allowed all caged larvae to be submerged in 

the tanks for about 144 hours. The average survival of Asian carp larvae was slightly lower during Trial 2 

(95.7 percent) than during Trial 1 (98.3 percent), which might have been due to the longer exposure interval. 

No statistical difference was found between survival of Asian carp larvae in the test versus control cages 

during Trial 1 (P=0.622). Some larvae could not be identified to species, including one live larva that was 

damaged while being transferred to a storage vial at the end of the cage’s test interval (Table 7) and a few 

dead larvae that had begun to deteriorate. The percent of Asian carp that were alive in control cages after 

these exposures are presented in Table 8. 

During Trial 2, the effect of higher densities of larvae was assessed by stocking higher numbers of larvae 

into two control cages exposed for 119 and 120 hours. Survival at these higher densities was still high (94-

97 percent). No statistical difference was found between survival of larval Asian carp in the ballast tanks or 

in control cages during Trial 2 (P=0.293). No attempt was made to determine the density of larval Asian 

carp in the river locations where the test larvae were collected. 
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Table 7. Ballast tank cages: number of alive and dead Asian carp, non-Asian carp, and damaged larvae 

after varying exposure periods in cages during Trials 1 and 2. The percent alive is based on the 

number of larvae in the cages at the end of the exposure period. A blank cell means no larvae in 

that category were found. 

Tank # Fill # Hrs 

Exposed 

Number 

in cages 

after 

exposure 

Asian Carp Larvae Non-Asian 

Carp Larvae 

Damaged 

Larvae 

Total

Alive 

Total

Dead 

Grand

Total 

% 

Alive

Total 

Alive 

Total

Dead 

Total

Alive 

Total

Dead 

Trial 1 

1 1 8 97 39 2 41 95.1 52 4 

2 1 24 90 24 24 100.0 57 9 

3 1 48 85 30 2 32 93.8 40 13 

4 1 72 65 26 26 100.0 26 12 1 

4 2 72 80 66 66 100.0 2 3 9 

3 2 94.5 76 32 32 100.0 16 18 10 

2 2 117 77 39 39 100.0 28 7 1 2 

1 2 132 82 36 1 37 97.3 39 6 

Trial 1 Total 652 292 5 297 98.3 260 72 1 22 

Trial 2 

1 1 144 77 72 4 76 94.7 1 

2 1 144 68 60 5 65 92.3 2 1 

3 1 144 75 66 3 69 95.7 5 1 

4 1 144 74 70 1 71 98.6 2 1 

Trial 2 Total 294 268 13 281 95.4 10 2 0 1 

Average for Asian carp per Trial 280 9 289 96.8 
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Table 8. Control Cages: Number of alive and dead Asian carp, non-Asian carp, and damaged larvae 

after varying exposure periods during Trials 1 and 2. The percent alive is based on the number of 

larvae in the cages at the end of the exposure period. A blank cell means no larvae in that category 

were found. 

Hrs Exposed 

Number 

in cages 

after 

exposure 

Asian Carp Larvae Non-Asian Carp 

Larvae 

Damaged 

Larvae 

Total 

Alive 

Total 

Dead 

Grand 

Total % Alive Total 

Alive 

Total 

Dead 

Total

Alive 

Total 

Dead 

Trial 1 

8 90 21 2 23 91.3 47 20 

24 63 2 2 100.0 40 16 

48 49 16 2 18 88.9 31 

72 69 47 47 100.0 12 10 

72 81 39 39 100.0 35 7 

Total 352 125 4 129 96.9 165 53 0 0 

Trial 2 

143.5 89 87 1 88 98.9 1 

143* 44 42 42 100.0 2 

120** 54 34 1 35 97.1 7 10 2 

119*** 63 31 2 33 93.9 12 18 

Total 249 194 4 198 98.0 22 28 2 0 

Average for Asian carp 

(both trials) 160 4 164 97.6 

*began with three cages but one lost an entire mesh panel and many larvae lost so data from this cage was 

not presented 

**only one cage with 60 larvae at start 

***only one cage with 90 larvae at start 

Larvae from the tank and control cages were preserved and later were classified by stage in the laboratory. 

Table 9 and Table 10 provide a summary of the number of alive and dead caged Asian carp larvae separated 

by their stage. Asian carp placed in the cages in Trial 1 were generally younger (lower stage number) than 

those collected and used during the second trial for this study. During Trial 1, more larvae were stage 43, 

followed by stage 42, while during Trial 2, more larvae were stage 43 followed by stage 44. Based on Yi et 

al.’s (1988) description of larval stage and number of days post fertilization, the majority of the larvae 

placed in the cages on 11 June for the first cage filling for Trial 1 were estimated to be about 11-13 days of 

age. This aligns with field observations of initial spawning by INHS personnel. 
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Table 9. Ballast tank cages: summary of number of alive and dead Asian carp larvae of each stage for three 

test cages deployed for different exposure intervals during Trials 1 and 2. A blank cell means no 

larvae in that category were found. 

Tank # Fill # Hours 

Exposed 

Number of Asian Carp Larvae by Stage 

Alive Dead 

40 41 42 43 44 45 40 41 42 43 44 45 

Trial 1 

1 1 8 1 27 11 2 

2 1 24 2 12 8 2 

3 1 48 1 3 13 13 2 

4 1 72 4 22 

4 2 72 1 5 46 14 

3 2 94.5 28 4 

2 2 117 6 33 

1 2 132 3 7 26 1 

TOTAL 1 10 74 187 20 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 

Trial 2 

1 1 144 1 41 29 1 1 3 

2 1 144 41 19 5 

3 1 144 40 26 1 1 1 

4 1 144 29 41 1 

TOTAL 0 0 1 151 115 1 0 0 0 7 5 0 

Table 10. Control cages: summary of number of alive and dead Asian carp larvae of each stage 

for three cages deployed for different exposure intervals during Trials 1 and 2. A blank cell 

means no larvae in that category were found. 

Hours 

Exposed 

Number of Asian Carp Larvae by Stage 

Alive Dead 

40 41 42 43 44 45 40 41 42 43 44 45 

Trial 1 

8 10 10 1 2 

25 1 1 

65 5 11 1 1 

72 4 38 5 

118 7 31 1 

TOTAL 0 11 27 81 6 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 

Trial 2 

143.5 1 22 63 1 1 

143* 17 22 3 

120** 2 15 16 1 

119*** 10 21 1 1 

TOTAL 0 0 3 65 106 20 0 0 1 2 1 0 

*only two cages 

**only one cage with 60 larvae at start 

***only one cage with 90 larvae at start 
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Although nine different taxa of non-Asian carp larvae were used in survival experiments or collected in 

river sampling, no attempt was made to enumerate the number of individuals of each of these taxa. A list of 

the non-Asian carp larvae collected during this study is presented in Table 11. 

Table 11. List of non-Asian carp larvae used in the survival experiments or collected during river sampling. 

Note the number of each of these larvae was not determined from either type of collection. 

Scientific Name Common Name 

Aplodinotus grunniens freshwater drum 

Carassius auratus* goldfish 

Catostomidae sucker 

Cyprinidae minnows and carps 

Cyprinus carpio common carp 

Dorosoma cepedianum gizzard shad 

Ictiobus spp. buffalo 

Morone spp. basses 

Notropsis hudsonius spottail shiner 

*Larvae might be a hybrid with the common carp. 

4.3 Pump Effects Experiment Results 

A summary of the results from the four sets of trials conducted with two different diameter pumps and hoses 

is presented in Table 12. Only a few larvae (9 Asian carp plus 3 non-Asian carp) were able to survive 

passage through either the 2- or 3-inch pump and hose. There was no significant difference between Asian 

carp survival after passage through the 2-inch or the 3-inch pump. Larvae collected for the pump 

experiments were darkly pigmented before passing through the pump but virtually colorless when removed 

from the plankton net (See Figure 5). The larvae that were actively swimming immediately after passage 

through the pump generally survived and continued actively swimming 30 minutes after pumping. This 

included both Asian carp and non-Asian carp (Table 12). In contrast, those larvae that were swimming 

erratically after passing through the pump were not alive 30 minutes after pumping. These results indicate 

that although some Asian carp larvae were able to survive ballast tank pumping, the total percentage of 

larvae that survived the pumping was extremely low. 

No count was made of the number of larvae that passed through the hose and pump for each of the pump 

tests. However, analysis of a photo of the larvae removed from the cod end estimated approximately 130 

individual larva had been collected. For the twelve trials, only 9 Asian carp survived out of an estimated 

1,560 (130 times 12) larvae sucked through the pump system for an estimated survival rate of 0.56 percent. 

One approximately 3-inch long, relatively intact juvenile fish passed through the 3-inch pump and hose 

during one of the entrainment studies. It had been cut into two main pieces plus a somewhat mangled center 

portion probably from contact with the pump impeller (Figure 5). 

During observations of normal operations for pumping water from ballast tanks on a barge in use on the 

river, it was noted that the discharge water is not generally pumped through a hose back to the river. Instead 

water exits the pump’s discharge port with some of it potentially hitting the metal deck of the barge before 

free-falling directly into the river. For the present testing, the discharge water was pumped through a hose 

and discharged below water level into the collection net suspended in one of the barge spud wells. It is 

uncertain what additional mortality, if any, might have taken place if the water had not been directed 

through the hose but had free-fallen 3-10 feet from the pump into the river surface. Likewise it is not 

possible to determine the effects of impact with hose walls on the larvae. 
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Table 12. Summary of observations of larvae following passage through a 2-inch or 3-inch pump and hose. 

Observation were made immediately and 30 minutes after pumping. Test dates are in 

parentheses. Stage number refers to larval stage based on Chapman (2006). 

Pump Test Description of Larvae 

Trial 1 

2-inch pump (6/13/11) 

 Run #1 All larvae were dead when initially removed from the plankton net cod end. 

 Run #2 All larvae were dead when initially removed from the plankton net cod end. 

 Run #3 Initially, two non-Asian carp were alive and actively swimming; all other larvae were dead. 

These two non-Asian carp larvae were still actively swimming after 30 minutes. 

 Run #4 Initially, two Asian carp (stage 43) were alive and actively swimming and one Asian carp (stage 

43) was alive but swimming erratically; remaining larvae were dead. After 30 minutes, the 

actively swimming larvae were still actively swimming but the erratically swimming larva was 

no longer swimming and appeared dead. 

3-inch pump (6/14/11) 

 Run #1 All larvae were dead when initially removed from the plankton net cod end. 

 Run #2 Initially, one Asian carp (stage 43) was alive and actively swimming; all other larvae were 

dead. After 30 minutes, the actively swimming Asian carp larvae was still actively swimming. 

 Run #3 Initially, two Asian carp (stage 43) were alive and actively swimming and two Asian carp 

(stage 43) were alive but swimming erratically; all other larvae were dead. After 30 minutes, 

the actively swimming larvae were still actively swimming but the erratically swimming larvae 

were no longer swimming and appeared dead. 

Trial 2 

2-inch pump (6/19/11) 

 Run #1 All larvae were dead when initially removed from the plankton net cod end. 

 Run #2 All larvae were dead when initially removed from the plankton net cod end. 

 Run #3 All larvae were dead when initially removed from the plankton net cod end. 

3-inch pump (6/20/11) 

Runs #1, 2, and 3 

(combined*) 

Initially, four Asian carp (stage 44) and one non-Asian carp were alive and actively swimming; 

all other larvae were dead. After 30 minutes, the actively swimming larvae were still actively 

swimming. 

*larvae from these pump tests were accidently combined into a single vial in the field. 

4.4 Water Quality Results 

Although some water quality data were collected during night hours, most water quality data were collected 

during daytime sampling events following the ballast tank filling and prior to tank pump-out. Illinois River 

temperature averaged 23.5 °C (74.3°F), with a high of 25.6 °C (78.1°F ) and a low of 22.0 °C (71.6°F). 

Water temperatures in the ballast tanks of the experimental barge were similar to river conditions and 

averaged 23.4 °C (74.1°F), with a high of 26.8 °C (80.2°F) and a low of 22.3 °C (72.1°F). 

Dissolved oxygen concentrations in the Illinois River averaged 5.30 mg/L, with a high of 5.51 mg/L and a 

low of 4.90 mg/l (Table 13; Figure 7). In contrast, ballast tank DO concentrations were much lower and 

more variable, averaging 2.9 mg/L. The highest DO concentration in the ballast tanks during Trials 1 and 2 

was 5.51 mg/L, while the lowest DO concentration was 0.86 mg/L. Note that the single very high DO 

reading (6.55) in the ballast tank (Table 13) was likely an equipment or recorder error and was not included 

in Figure 7. In all tanks, DO decreased from concentrations near river values to as low as 0.86 mg/L over 

the 7 days trial periods. 
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Table 13. Summary of water quality measurement recorded during Trials 1 and 2, June 2011. 

Trial Tank Date 

Time 

(24-Hr 

Clock)

Water 

Temperature

(deg C) 

DO 

(mg/L) 

Conductivity 

(μS/cm) pH Total Ammonia 

1 T1 6/11/11 9:55 25.2 6.55* 628 nc 0.25 

1 T2 6/11/11 9:58 24.9 4.53 550 nc 0.25 

1 T3 6/11/11 10:01 25.1 4.01 644 nc 0.25 

1 T4 6/11/11 10:03 25.0 4.62 614 nc 0.25 

1 R 6/11/11 10:10 25.0 4.99 650 nc 0.25 

1 T1 6/11/11 17:25 26.8 4.30 637 nc 0.25 

1 R 6/11/11 17:25 25.6 5.20 662 nc 0.25 

1 T2 6/12/11 9:30 24.2 3.42 576 nc 0.50 

1 R 6/12/11 9:30 24.4 5.23 666 nc 0.25 

1 T3 6/13/11 9:30 24.1 1.87 612 nc 0.50 

1 R 6/13/11 9:30 23.7 4.90 666 nc 0.25 

1 T4 6/14/11 9:30 23.1 2.39 589 nc 0.50 

1 R 6/14/11 9:30 23.1 5.07 644 nc 0.50 

1 T1 6/15/11 9:00 22.4 2.74 610 nc 0.25 

1 T2 6/15/11 9:03 22.3 2.50 606 nc 0.25 

1 T3 6/15/11 9:06 22.3 2.55 628 nc 0.25 

1 T4 6/15/11 9:08 22.5 2.80 613 nc 0.25 

1 R 6/15/11 8:50 22.0 5.50 595 nc 0.25 

1 T1 6/17/11 9:20 23.6 1.62 615 nc 0.25 

1 T2 6/17/11 9:07 22.5 1.68 604 nc 0.25 

1 T3 6/17/11 10:48 23.4 0.95 637 nc 0.25 

1 T4 6/17/11 11:40 24.1 1.54 609 nc 0.25 

1 R 6/17/11 9:05 22.5 5.42 534 nc 0.25 

2 T1 6/18/11 10:28 22.8 5.51 546 nc 0.50 

2 T2 6/18/11 10:30 22.8 4.70 549 nc 0.50 

2 T3 6/18/11 10:32 22.7 4.87 552 nc 0.50 

2 T4 6/18/11 10:35 22.7 5.31 546 nc 0.25 

2 R 6/18/11 10:25 22.7 5.42 537 nc 0.50 

2 T2 6/19/11 10:30 23.2 2.36 nc 7.0 0.50 

2 R 6/19/11 10:15 23.0 5.27 nc 7.2 0.50 

2 T3 6/20/11 10:45 23.0 3.09 540 nc 0.25 

2 R 6/20/11 10:15 23.5 5.51 565 nc 0.25 

2 T4 6/21/11 10:45 24.3 1.14 nc 7.6 0.25 

2 R 6/21/11 10:30 24.3 5.39 nc 7.6 0.25 

2 T1 6/24/11 11:45 22.6 1.14 nc 7.6 0.25 

2 T2 6/24/11 9:45 22.2 1.23 nc 7.6 0.25 

2 T3 6/24/11 9:55 22.4 0.86 nc 7.6 0.25 

2 T4 6/24/11 11:25 22.6 1.15 nc 7.6 0.25 

2 R 6/24/11 9:35 22.4 5.27 nc 7.6 0.50 

T1, T2, T3, and T4 correspond to ballast tank numbers 1-4, respectively 

R = River C = Centigrade 

mg/L = milligrams per liter μS/cm = MicroSiemens per centimeter 

nc = not collected *possible equipment error; data not included in Figure 7 
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Figure 7. DO concentration in Illinois River and barge ballast tanks during Trial 1 (top) and Trial 2 

(bottom). Note: T# refers to the ballast tank number. 
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Specific conductance (conductivity) is a measure of the ability of water to conduct an electrical current. It is 

highly dependent on the amount of dissolved solids (such as salt) in the water (U.S. Geological Survey 

(USGS) website, accessed September 2011). Specific conductance is an important water quality 

measurement because it provides an idea of the amount of dissolved material in the water. Conductivity in 

the Illinois River averaged 613 micro-Siemens per centimeter (μS/cm), with a high of 666 μS/cm and a low 

of 534 μS/cm (Table 13). Conductivity in the ballast tanks during Trials 1 and 2 were similar to river 

conditions and averaged 595 μS/cm, with a high of 644 μS/cm and a low of 540 μS/cm. 

Due to equipment problems, pH was only measured during Trial 2. pH values in the Illinois River averaged 

7.5, with a high of 7.6 and low of 7.2 (Table 13). pH values in the ballast tanks closely tracked natural 

conditions in the Illinois river, with an average of 7.5, high of 7.6, and low of 7.0. 

TAN values in the Illinois River and barge ballast tanks were steady, ranging between 0.25 and 0.50 mg/L. 

No differences in ammonia concentration were observed between river and ballast tanks samples. 

5 SURVIVABILITY TEST DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS 

This study was conducted to determine if Asian carp eggs and larvae could 1) be entrained into barge ballast 

tanks, 2) survive while in these tanks, and 3) survive a single passage through a pump. The Study Plan 

(Test Plan in Volume II, Appendix A) proposed experiments be conducted first in the river channel using 

Asian carp eggs and young larvae by keeping the barge positioned within the highest concentrations of these 

individuals during flooding of the tanks while the larvae and possibly new eggs move down the river with 

the water current. After completing work in the river channel, the plan called for testing with older larvae 

from the same cohort while the experimental barge was positioned in quieter, slower moving waters. 

Because initial plankton tows in the river channel showed that no eggs and low larval concentration were 

available, testing with the eggs and younger larvae in the study could not take place as planned. This was 

due primarily to a major Asian carp spawn occurring prior to the initiation of these studies and apparently 

no subsequent spawning taking place in the area. Therefore, no Asian carp eggs or larvae younger than 

about 11-13 days were available during these tests. By this stage, the larvae had moved out of the main 

channel towards quieter water. Therefore the experiments were conducted with the barge moored just 

outside the main channel. 

Spawning of Asian carp is known to take place after the river water temperature reaches 14-18 °C along 

with an increasing river flow (Papoulias et al., 2006; Jennings, 1988; DeGrandchamp et al., 2007; Lohmeyer 

& Garvey, 2009; and Irons et al., 2011). Asian carp have also been reported to spawn from as early as 

March until July (Papoulias et al., 2006) when river temperatures and flow increase, typically from spring 

and early summer rains. Figure 8 presents the river gage height of the Illinois River at Kingston Mines 

(about 7.4 miles downriver from Pekin) and Copperas Creek (approximately 16 river miles south of Pekin) 

from early May through late August 2011. It also shows the 5-year average gage height for these locations 

between 2005 and 2010. As the figure shows, the Illinois River was in flood-like conditions during the time 

of this study, with gage heights nearly 6-8 feet over the 5-year (2005-2010) average. The study (shaded 

area) started shortly after the peak flow in late May. Based on the stage and assumed age (based on Yi et 

al., 1988) of the Asian carp collected during this study, it was estimated that these larvae were spawned 

during the period of increasing river (gage) height from May 25 until about June 3. 
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Figure 8. Illinois River Gage Height at Kingston Mines and Copperas Creek. The shaded area represents the time p

conducted. The average river gage height from 2005-2010 for each location is also provided. Data providSurvey, WRD, Urbana, IL.

River Mile Markers

Pekin – 152.9 Kingston Mines – 145.4 Copperas Creek – 136.8 Havana - 120 
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Papoulias et al. (2006) also stated that Asian carp might be able to spawn more than one time per season. 

Alison Coulter (pers. comm., September 2011; Coulter & Goforth, 2011) stated that during 2011 they found 

Asian carp eggs in the Wabash River from May through the end of July even though the river flow 

continued to decrease during this period. They confirmed their visual field egg identifications with DNA 

analysis. Although there were small increases in the Illinois River flow during this study, secondary 

spawning did not appear to happen in the La Grange Reach as no eggs or younger larvae were found during 

any of the collections. 

During the entrainment portion of these studies, it was determined that larvae of a variety of taxa could be 

entrained into the ballast tanks through the experimental valves installed in the tanks. The 3-inch valve 

penetrations were intended to simulate a break in a tank seam or a hole in the barge hull. Discussions with 

barge operators and Coast Guard personnel indicated that the 3-inch opening was considerably larger than 

most cracks occurring during normal barge operations. A hole as large as 3 inches would fill a tank to about 

50 inches in approximately 90 minutes and would probably be noticed by the crew as a change in handling 

or during inspections. However, if the penetrations do represent naturally occurring breaks in barge walls, 

then fish larvae could be entrained into ballast tanks. It is expected that if eggs had been available and had 

been entrained from the swift moving current, they would settle to the bottom of the quiet water in the tanks 

and survival would be low. Thus there is some potential, though very slight, that eggs or larvae could be 

inadvertently moved across the barriers during normal barge operations in a damaged barge. It is important 

to note that this would occur only during the spawning season (late spring – summer). 

The pump effects experiments showed that if Asian carp larvae were entrained and then pumped out, only a 

very small percentage of them (0.56 percent) could survive being pumped through either a 2-inch or 3-inch 

pump. If tanks were actively ballasted (i.e., pumped) and then deballasted, it is highly unlikely that larvae 

could survive two passages through a pump. This could be readily tested by using the methods of the pump 

experiments of this study and collecting the pumped water and larvae in a portable tank after the first pass. 

The larvae and tank water could be pumped once more and collected in a submerged plankton net. Active 

swimming of larvae for more than 30 minutes would indicate survival potential. A barge or barge-size tank 

would not be necessary since the volume of water pumped would be small. During the pump effects testing, 

a hose was used to pump ballast water from the tanks directly into a suspended plankton net. This is 

different from normal barge operations when no hose is used on the pump’s discharge. These studies could 

not determine whether Asian carp larvae that survived passage through a pump would then survive free fall 

into the river if a discharge hose were not used. 

Kolar et al. (2007) and King et al. (2010) stated that bighead and silver carp have hybridized in the wild and 

produced fertile offspring. Blake Ruebush (pers. comm., June 2011, Illinois River Biological Station, 

Havana, IL) stated that many hybrids of bighead and silver carp have been collected during the Long Term 

Resources Monitoring Program (LTRMP) in the La Grange Reach of the Illinois River. All individuals 

referred to in this report as larval Asian carp visually appeared to be silver carp based on figures presented 

in Yi et al. (1988) and Chapman & George (2011), but some might have been hybrids that showed the same 

pigmentation patterns characteristic of silver carp. 

The original survival study plan (See Volume II. Appendix A) called for fish in early developmental stages 

to be suspended in cages in the ballast tanks to document whether larval Asian carp could survive for a 

maximum of 108 hours in a ballast tank. Based on high (98%) larval survival in Trial 1 (up to 132 hours 

exposure), all Trial 2 exposure intervals were increased to 144 hours for all tanks. Asian carp larvae in 
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Trial 2 also had a high (95.7%) survival rate suggesting that entrained larvae could survive in tanks for at 

least 6 days. The average Asian carp (stages 40-45) survival in the control cages during both trials was also 

high (97.7%). 

Water quality parameters measured during the trials showed that Asian carp larvae were able to withstand a 

wide range of the measured water quality parameters, including temperature and DO. The most variable 

water quality parameter was DO, which decreased to a level of 0.86 mg/L inside one of the ballast tanks but 

was not low enough to substantially affect survival. It has been reported that grass, bighead, and silver carp 

can tolerate oxygen levels as low as 0.5 mg/l (Oregon Sea Grant website, accessed August 2011). In 

addition, Jennings (1988) reported that juvenile bighead carp (average weight = 73 mg) survived DO 

concentrations of 0.33 mg/L, while smaller individuals (average weight = 23 mg) survived DO 

concentrations of about 0.40 mg/L. Although the current study used younger individuals, it appears that 

Asian carp larvae collected in the Illinois River are also able to tolerate low DO levels. Because the DO 

concentrations in ballast tanks vary, even on a single barge, the actual tolerance level of Asian carp egg and 

larvae for low DO is not necessary for assessing survival during normal barge operations. 

Other investigations related to the potential transport of Asian carp early life stages include surveys to 

determine the amount of water carried by barges and towboats. A 2010 survey of 969 ballast tanks on 132 

barges and 14 towboats found measurable water in only 5.2 percent (50 tanks) of tanks. With the exception 

of three tanks with depths over 36 inches, the average depth of those tanks with water was 7.2 inches 

(Heilprin et al, 2011). A similar survey was conducted for barges operating in the immediate vicinity of the 

USACE dispersal barriers in 2012. Tanks on 39 barges and 2 towboats were checked with only 6 percent of 

the tanks containing measurable water. Heilprin et al (2011, updated October 2012 (See Sections 7-12 of 

this report) provide a description of barges and the standard operating procedures used by towboats 

operators. Operators interviewed during the 2012 survey also indicated they used these procedures. The 

ballasting procedures call for the use of portable pumps on the rare occasions when ballasting is necessary. 

A final question is whether Asian carp eggs or larvae that were present in barge or towboat ballast tanks 

could survive passage across the USACE electrical barriers. When a barge or towboat passes through the 

electrical field generated by the dispersal barriers, the hull acts as a Faraday cage to prevent any electrical 

potential from crossing into a partially filled tank (Dr. N. Yankielun, pers. comm., October 2012). 

Essentially the electrical currents in the canal water are conducted along the highly conductive metal hull 

without creating a potential difference anywhere along that hull. Since there is no potential difference, the 

current cannot pass into the tanks. Thus the hull effectively insolates the ballast water from the electrical 

field, so any eggs or larvae present in the ballast water would not be affected by transiting across the 

barriers. 

In summary, this study showed that Asian carp larvae could potentially be entrained into ballast tanks 

through hull cracks and can survive the conditions in these tanks for up to 144 hours. But, if these larvae 

are then pumped out of the tanks using standard commercial methods, their survival rate is extremely low 

(less than 1 percent). Survival following intentional ballasting and deballasting (i.e., two passages through a 

pump) is even less likely. Finally, it is important to note that the potential transport of eggs and larvae 

would occur only during the spawning season (late spring – summer). Based on the results of this study, it is 

concluded that the risk of transport of eggs or viable larvae through barge ballast tanks is very low. While 

additional research of this matter may be undertaken, it is not warranted at this time. 
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6 WATER TRANSPORT DURING NORMAL OPERATIONS OF TOWBOATS 

AND BARGES IN THE ILLINOIS RIVER 

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is tasked by the National Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control 

Act (1990) and National Invasive Species Act (1996) with eliminating as much as possible the introduction 

of non-indigenous species (NIS) via ballast water. Under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) 

Act, the Coast Guard has been funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to investigate 

the potential for towboats and barges to transport Asian carp and other species within the Chicago Shipping 

and Sanitary Canal (CSSC) and across the electrical dispersal barrier constructed by the U. S. Army Corps 

of Engineers (USACE) as a preventive measure to keep fish from migrating into and out of the Great Lakes. 

Ballast tanks and voids of towboats and barges were initially investigated in August 2010 to determine the 

volume of water being transported across the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers’ electric dispersal barriers in 

the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. A second survey of ballast tanks of barges and towboats operating in 

the immediate vicinity of the Barriers was conducted in July – August 2012. Results from those surveys 

were initially presented in the report “Water Transport During Normal Operations of Towboats and Barges 

in the Illinois River” updated in October 2012. The main body of that report is presented here as a 

supplement to “Survivability of Asian Carp in Barge tanks in the Illinois River”. Data sheets from this 

effort are available in Volume II, Appendixes C and D, of this report. 

Results of a second survey conducted on barges operating around and across the barrier are included as an 

update in Section 12 of this report. 

7 SURVEY METHODS 

Visual inspections of barge and towboat ballast tanks and voids (hereafter called ballast tanks) were 

conducted along the CSSC in the vicinity of Lemont, IL (Figure 9) between 18 and 26 August 2010. Barge 

companies in this area were contacted for access to available barges and towboats. In addition to barges in 

the Lemont, Channahon, and Romeoville areas, barges owned and operated by Kindra Lake Towing (KLT) 

in Chicago were also inspected. KLT occasionally moves barges/towboats through the Lemont area. 

Table 14 indicates the locations of vessels inspected during this study. 
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Chicago River

Chicago Lock

North Shore Channel

Wilmette Sluice Gate

Calumet River

Indiana Harbor

Burns Harbor

O’Brien Lock-and-Dam

Illinois

Indiana

Little Calumet River

Grand Calumet River

Brandon Lock-and-Dam

Hickory Creek Des Plaines River

Lockport Lock-and-Dam

Electric Barrier(s)

Calumet Sag Channel

Des Plaines River

Salt Creek

Des Plaines River

North Branch Chicago River

Lake

Michigan

CSSC

Sampling

locations

Romeoville

Channahon

Lemont

Figure 9. Barge and towboat ballast tank sampling locations (red dots) along CSSC (red line), August 2010. 
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Table 14. Vessel company and location of barge and towboat sampling, August 2010. 

Vessel Company Location 

American River Transportation Company (ARTCO) ARTCO Shipyard (Lemont)

Illinois Marine Towing (IMT) Channahon, IL

IMT Heritage Storage Yard

IMT IMT (Channahon)

IMT Lemont, IL

American Commercial Lines Lemont, IL

ARTCO Lemont, IL

ARTCO Morris, IL

ARTCO Ottawa, IL

ARTCO Power Plant (Romeoville, IL)

Hanson Material Services Romeoville, IL

Hanson Material Services Romeoville/Loading area 

ARTCO Seneca, IL

Kindra Lake Towing South Chicago, IL

Kindra Lake Towing Walsh Slip (Chicago, IL)

Ballast tanks from barges, either rafted along the river bank or at the operator’s shipyards, were visually 

inspected for the presence of condensation and/or measureable amounts of water. Three types of barges 

were sampled: tank barges, deck barges, and hopper barges. The number of ballast tanks per barge ranged 

from 6 to 18, depending on the type of barge. Tank barges had separate port and starboard wing tanks with 

a bow and stern tank, while deck barges had separate port and starboard tanks separated by a bulkhead at the 

keel creating separate port/starboard ballast tanks. Several of the deck barges were found to have port, 

center, and starboard tanks per section resulting in a high number of ballast tanks present. Ballast tanks ran 

side to side on hopper barges. 

Data for all barges and towboats inspected was recorded on data sheets in the field. Data included: barge 

type, number of ballast tanks, location of ballast tank inspected, hatch type and condition, condensation 

presence, and whether hatch was sealed. Water depth was determined using a weighted measuring tape that 

was lowered into the ballast tank. Depth was determined from deck level by measuring the point where the 

weight was observed hitting the surface of the water to the point the weight reached bottom of the tank. If 

the water level in an individual ballast tank was measurable (defined as greater than or equal to 2 inches, as 

determined with a tape measure), a Yellow Springs Instrument (YSI) Model 550A Temperature-Dissolved 

Oxygen probe was then used to record temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO). 

Information regarding the number of barges and towboats passing through the CSSC annually (2007 data) 

was also obtained from the USACE and is presented below in Section 9.4. This information does not 

necessarily reflect the actual number of vessels transiting over the dispersal barrier as some local vessels 

cross the barrier but do not transit the full CSSC. 

8 SURVEY RESULTS 

8.1 Water Depth 

8.1.1 Barges 

Between August 16 and 25, 2010 a total of 969 individual ballast tanks were inspected on 132 barges and 14 

towboats. Data obtained during the survey is described in Appendix E and provided as a table in Volume II. 

The photographs in Appendix C show several barge types, hatch arrangements, and clearances under 
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bridges. Barges sampled included 19 deck barges, 99 hopper barges, and 14 tank barges. Of the 969 ballast 

tanks inspected, 50 ballast tanks (5.2 percent), all of which were on barges, had measurable levels of water. 

Water depths in these ballast tanks ranged from a low of 2 inches to a high of 117 inches (Figure 10). 

Water depth in deck barges ranged between 4.5 – 24 inches, while hopper barges ranged between 2 – 117 

inches (Figure 10). No measurable water was found on tank barges. 

For all barges with measurable water in their ballast tanks, overall average water depth was just over 11.0 

inches. When three hopper barge tanks with depths of 42, 76, and 117 inches are excluded, water depth 

averaged 7.2 inches. No information was available to determine why these three tanks contained more 

water than the remaining 47 tanks with measurable water. 

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CB 276CB 276CB 276CB 276CB 276

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20

40

60

80

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0

1

2

3

4

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6

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Water Depth (cm) / Temperature (deg F)

Dissolved Oxygen Concentration (mg/L)

B Water Depth (in) J Temperature (deg F) H DO (mg/L)

B B B B B

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RMT 324RMT 324

MG 692MG 692MG 692

MG686MG686MG686

MG 681

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MG 688MG 699MG 699MG 699MG 697MG 697MG 697MG 697

SER 234SER 234

RCI 257B

IMT 113

RMT 326

OR 4901

LF 13413

ACL 00233

PV 507

ACL 00549

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ART 303

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0

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Water Depth (cm) / Temperature (deg F)

Dissolved Oxygen Concentration (mg/L)

Figure 10. Water depth (inches), water temperature (°F), and DO concentration (mg/L) for deck barge (top) 

and hopper barge (bottom) ballast tanks sampled in August 2010. 
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8.1.2 Towboats 

Of the 14 towboats inspected in August 2010, only four had measurable amounts of water in their ballast 

tanks. Water depths for towboats ranged from a low of 18 inches to a high of 72 inches (Figure 11). 

Average water depth for towboats was 50.5 inches. No information regarding the ballasting of the towboats 

was available. Towboat operators indicated that ballasting is not routinely conducted. 

B

B B

B

J

J

J J

H

H

H

H

Stacey Dianne Harvest Run MORGAN OLD MISSION

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

DO Concentration (mg/L)

B Water Ddepth (in) J Temperature (deg F) H DO (mg/L)

Figure 11. Water depth (inches), water temperature (°F), and DO concentration (mg/L) for towboat ballast 

tanks sampled in August 2010. 

8.2 Water Temperature 

8.2.1 Barges 

Water temperature (°F) was recorded for the 50 barge ballast tanks that contained measurable amounts of 

water and ranged between 69.5 - 86.7 °F. Water temperature was relatively consistent in most ballast tanks. 

For deck barges, water temperature ranged between 69.5 - 83.4 °F, with an average of 71.5 °F (Figure 10). 

Water temperatures for hopper barges ranged between 70.4 - 86.7 °F (Figure ). Average water temperature 

in hopper barges was 80.0 °F. For all hopper and deck barges combined, average water temperature was 

77.4 °F. As mentioned above, there was no measurable water in tank barges. 

8.2.2 Towboats 

Water temperature in towboat ballast tanks ranged between 69.2 - 84.5 °F (Figure ) with higher 

temperatures found in those tanks with less water. Similarly, the ballast tank with the most water (72 

inches) had the lowest temperature. Average water temperature in towboat ballast tanks was 76.2 °F. 
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8.2.3 Ambient Conditions 

Ambient water temperature was measured at approximately 1 meter depth alongside the barges twice during 

the survey. Water temperature at the IMT Channahon facility on August 17 was 86.3 °F. Water 

temperature of 70.0 °F was recorded at the Kindra Lake Towing facility near Chicago on August 19. In 

general, one can expect higher water temperatures in summer in the Lemont area (average = 80 °F) than in 

those areas closer to Lake Michigan (average = 71.5 °F). 

8.3 Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 

8.3.1 Barges 

DO concentrations in the water of the 50 ballast tanks ranged between 0.44 - 7.80 mg/L and were highly 

variable. For deck barges, DO ranged between 3.60 - 6.17 mg/L, with an average of 5.29 mg/L (Figure ). 

For hopper barges DO concentrations ranged between 0.44 - 7.80 mg/L. Average DO in hopper barges was 

3.98 mg/L. No apparent trends in DO concentration were observed between barges with more water 

compared to those with less water in their ballast tanks. Tank barges did not contain sufficient water to 

measure DO. This is not unexpected since tank barges are inspected by Coast Guard after collisions, 

elisions, etc and, if leaks are found, are removed from service until repairs are made. 

8.3.2 Towboats 

DO concentrations in ballast water from towboats ranged from 2.54 - 5.10 mg/L (Figure 10). Average DO 

in towboats was 3.65 mg/L. 

8.3.3 Ambient Conditions 

As was done with water temperature, ambient DO was also measured twice during the survey at 

approximately 1 meter depth alongside the barge. DO at the IMT Channahon facility on August 17 was 

2.76 mg/L, while DO at the Kindra Lake Towing facility near Chicago on August 19 was 8.46 mg/L. This 

large difference could potentially be an artifact of sampling since the KLT sample was taken in the morning 

and the IMT sample was recorded in the afternoon. 

8.4 Vessel Traffic 

Annual vessel traffic across the electric fish barrier was obtained from USACE for 2007 and is presented in 

Figure 12. A total of 5,792 vessels crossed the electric fish barrier in Romeoville in 2007, including 2,246 

liquid hazardous cargo barges, 2,650 commercial vessels, and 896 recreational vessels. A variety of barge 

types cross the electric barrier each year, including hopper, tank, and deck barges similar to those inspected 

in this study. 
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Figure 12. Annual vessel traffic across the electric fish barrier in 2007 (Source USACE/OMNI). 

9 SURVEY DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS 

It is widely accepted that water temperature, flow conditions, food, and predation are important factors 

influencing larval survival and growth. Little information exists on water quality tolerances such as 

temperature and DO for Asian carp, especially the early stages of development such as eggs and larvae. 

Most of the existing literature focuses on common carp (Cyprinus carpio L) and grass carp 

(Ctenopharyngodon idella), which is also an Asian carp species. 

Opuszynski et al. (1989) found the upper lethal temperature (ULT) for silver carp was 43.5 - 46.5 °C (110-

116 °F) and also found no significant differences in survival of fish reared at lower and higher temperatures 

when proper food was used. Golovanov and Smirnov (2007) used the chronic lethal impact method with a 

water heating rate of 1 °C/day or 0.04 °C/h (1.8 °F/day or 0.07 °F/hr) to determine ULT for common carp. 

At 1 °C/day, (1.8 °F/day) fish successfully acclimated to temperature increases. 
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Silver carp are also quite tolerant to low water temperatures and have been reported to feed at water 

temperatures of 10 to 19°C (50-66 °F) in Israel (Leventer 1979, cited in Wrigley et al. 1988). When the 

water temperature dropped below 15°C (59 °F), the appetite of silver carp was reduced, and below 8-10°C 

(46-50 °F), feeding almost ceased (FAO 1980; Tripathi 1989). At water temperatures below 18°C (64 °F) 

or higher than 31°C (88 °F), rates of ovulation and hatching of silver carp have been reported to be low with 

high rates of abnormal embryonic development (FAO 1980). 

Grass carp tolerate a wide range of water temperatures from 0 - 33 °C (32 - 91 °F), with temperatures 

greater than 38 °C (100 °F) being lethal for adults (Fedorenko and Fraser, 1978). ULT for grass carp fry 

ranges from 33 - 41 °C (91 - 106 °F), and for yearlings the range is 35 - 36 °C (95-97 °F), depending on 

season (Chilton and Muoneke, 1992). Grass carp also appear to tolerate moderately rapid changes in 

temperature. Shireman and Smith (1983) found fingerlings (5 - 7 cm or 2 - 3 inches) could tolerate 

temperature increases from 4 - 22 °C (39 - 72 °F) over a relatively short amount of time (~2 - 3 hours). 

Bighead carp can tolerate extremes in water temperature, from cold temperate to tropical (Kolar, et al. 

2007). In their native range in China, bighead carp can spawn at temperatures as low as 18°C (64 °F) in the 

Han River (Chunsheng, et al. 1980). Negonovskaya (1980) reported bighead carp fingerlings feeding 

activity continued at 10 °C (50 °F ) in lakes in Russia's Pskov Region, but most active feeding activity 

occurs at 20 - 22 °C (68 - 72 °F). Experiments with thermal preferences conducted in Texas (Bettoli, et al. 

1985) indicated that young bighead carp (56 - 73 mm) acclimated to temperatures at 23.0 oC (73 °F), 

selected a mean temperature of 25.4 oC (78 °F), and had their critical thermal maximum at 38.8 oC (102 °F). 

Although little information exists on lower water temperature lethal limits for this species, the presence of 

bighead carp in rivers and reservoirs in the Manchurian Plain that remain frozen 4 to 6 months out of the 

year suggests that the species is quite cold tolerant. 

The vast majority of ballast tanks sampled (919 of 969; 95 percent) were dry; water in the ballast tanks 

sampled in the current study had little variability in temperature and ranged between approximately 70 - 87 

°F (21 - 30 °C) which was similar to the two ambient river temperatures measured. Comparison of 

temperature ranges in the barge ballast tanks with values found in the literature suggests that Asian carp 

larvae could potentially tolerate the range of temperatures found in the tanks and probably the fairly rapid 

changes in temperature in both the barge and towboat ballast tanks. 

Information on carp (adult, juvenile, or larvae) tolerances to DO is extremely limited. Cudmore and 

Mandrak (2004) found DO levels below 3 mg/L can cause stress in grass carp. Shireman and Smith (1983) 

reported that the same species could tolerate oxygen concentrations as low as 0.2 mg/L and fingerlings 

survived in DO levels between 0.41 - 28 mg/L. Other studies have also found that young grass carp are 

more susceptible to low oxygen concentrations than older fishes and that vulnerability varies with season 

(Chilton and Muoneke, 1992) with less tolerance for lower DO concentrations in colder (winter) water 

compared to more tolerance for lower DO concentrations in summer, when the waters are warmer (Versar, 

Inc., 1999). 

DO concentrations in barge and towboat ballast tanks measured in this study ranged between 0.44 - 

7.80 mg/L. This is well within the range of tolerances for other carp species and is likely within the range 

for bighead and silver carp. This suggests that water quality conditions with ballast tanks, although not 

optimal, could support early life stages of Asian carp. 
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Of the 969 tanks and voids inspected during August 2010, 50 barge tanks (5.2 percent) had measurable 

levels of water. In April 2010, a visual ballast tank inspection was conducted (no water quality sampling) 

and found that of the 127 ballast tanks inspected, only 4 tanks (3.1 percent) had greater than approximately 

3 inches of water (visual inspection). A worst case scenario can be constructed by assuming that no barge 

has more than one ballast tank with measurable water (2 inches or more) and that the roughly 5 percent rate 

for tanks with measurable water is representative. Applying this 5 percent rate to the USACE 2007 data for 

the number of cargo vessels passing through the electric barrier (see Section 9.4), it can be estimated that 

approximately 112 barges with water in their ballast tanks could potentially pass through the electric barrier 

each year. 

10 SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONS 

Information collected during this study is useful in understanding volumes and water quality conditions in 

barge and towboat ballast tanks and voids and is useful as a baseline for the development of additional 

studies to test whether ballast tanks are a viable vector for Asian carp transport. Although the existing 

literature is sparse on the tolerances of Asian carp, information on other species of carp suggests these 

species would be able to tolerate a wide range of water quality conditions, including high water temperature 

and low DO concentrations. It must be noted that the current study only provides a “snapshot” of what 

ballast water conditions are during a summer event and that no barge history was recorded for those tanks 

that contained substantial amounts of water. It is possible that those barges had leaks and had remained 

rafted in place rather than being kept in use. Additional sampling events and barge information during other 

time periods may be warranted to look at possible seasonal variability within barge and towboat ballast 

tanks and voids. 

Larval fish survivability within a barge or towboat ballast tank has never been studied. In determining 

whether ballast tanks are to be considered a possible vector for larval transport, the next step should be to 

determine whether early developmental stages of Asian carp (eggs and larvae) are able to tolerate/survive in 

these tanks. In addition, other studies should be performed to help evaluate transport mechanisms for Asian 

carp. These should include sampling barge tanks for different life stages of Asian carp, evaluating the 

effects that tank leakage has on the potential transport of Asian carp, and investigating the effect of 

deliberate ballasting via pumps on early life stages. 

11 UPDATE FROM 2012 SURVEY OF LOCAL BARGES 

The November 2010 Towboat/Barge Sampling Study focused on large barge companies that move hundreds 

of barges across the electric dispersal barrier. The July 2012 survey addressed localized barges and towboats 

that regularly work within 10 miles of and regularly transit over the USACE dispersal barrier. The study 

examined the condition and amount of measurable water found in ballast tanks of those local vessels. 

Initially, the intent was to shift from the large barge companies previously surveyed to local/small barge 

providers. Research revealed there are no small companies that move barges within the dispersal barrier 

focus area, but a few of the large companies previously visited do designate some of their barges and tow 

boats to work in the local barrier area. Therefore the inspection team focused on these local groups of 

barges operating in the immediate vicinity of the dispersal barrier. 
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11.1 Methods Used in 2012 Survey 

The methods used in the previous survey were again used in this survey. Locally operating barge companies 

provided towboat transportation for the inspection team to locally operating barges along the CSSC in the 

vicinity of Lemont and Romeoville, IL (Table 15) between 30 July and 1 August 2012. Barges were located 

near the USACE electrical dispersal barrier indicated in Figure 9. 

Table 15. Vessel Company and Location of Barge and Towboat Sampled, July-August 2012. 

Vessel Company Location 

IMT Lemont, IL 

ARTCO Romeoville, IL (Power Plant) 

Midwest Generation, LLC Romeoville, IL (Power Plant) 

Hanson Material Services Romeoville, IL (Loading area) 

Ballast tanks of barges either rafted along the river bank or at the operator’s facilities on the CSSC were 

visually inspected for the presence of condensation and/or measureable amounts of water. Hopper barges 

were the only type of barges available during the inspections. Cargos were either construction materials 

(sand, gravel) or coal. The barges inspected were double-hull construction with single or double-raked 

ends. On most of the barges ballast tanks run from side-to-side without obstructions. Eleven older barges 

had a bulkhead in the center which separated port and starboard tanks. Barges additionally had a stern tank, 

bow tank, or both which ran from side to side. The number of tanks per barge ranged from 6 to 13 

depending on the construction, although 70 percent had 10 tanks each. 

Data for all barges and towboats inspected was recorded on data sheets in the field, which were then 

transferred to the tables included in Volume II, Appendix E. Barge location, barge type, number of tanks, 

location of tank inspected, condensation/water presence, and if hatch was found sealed were recorded for 

each barge inspected. If water was present in a tank, a sounding device (tape measure/sounding stick/string 

and weight) was used to determine if the water level was greater than 4 inches. Four inches of water 

allowed use of a Yellow Springs Instrument (YSI) Model 550A Temperature-Dissolved Oxygen probe to 

measure temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO). Ambient river temperature and DO in the vicinity of the 

barges were also recorded twice a day for a baseline comparison. Photographs of tanks and barge 

configurations seen during the survey are provided in Appendix D. 

11.2 Results of 2012 Survey 

Only two towboats were available for transportation and inspection. Both crews reported that they rarely 

adjust the ballast water in their tanks. A crewman from the towboat STACY DIANE (Hanson Material 

Services) reported the ballast water in the towboat stern tank was at least 4-6 months old. 

Of the 39 barges inspected, the majority were in generally good condition. Most were empty and all were 

rafted along various portions of the CSSC. Barge ballast tanks were typically accessible through a hinged 

manhole type hatch (Figure 13) with a rubber seal and edge hatch dogs to latch securely. All hatches were 

closed but none were found latched. A few barges used a round removable tank manhole cover (Figure 14). 

A small number of these covers were found loosely sitting over the access hole and not mated tightly closed. 
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Figure 13. Ballast tank hinged manhole hatch. 

Figure 14. Ballast tank removable manhole cover. 

Some barges also incorporated 7-inch tank access tubes (Figure 15). This type of access tube was not 

reported in the 2010 survey and appeared to be on older barges. These tubes are covered with a hinged cap 

and are used to conveniently insert pump hoses when needed. The barge crewmen stated these tubes were 

used as a primary access to the tank when sounding or when pumping into/out of the tanks. Because the 

crewmen prefer to regularly use these smaller tank accesses, many of the associated larger tank hatch covers 

were rusted shut from lack of use. The inspection team was able to evaluate the tank water level and 

perform measurements using these tube accesses. 
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Figure 15. Ballast tank access tubes. 

Barge ballast tanks were approximately 10 feet deep. Typically only a small amount of water was found in 

the tank and the bottom 4-inch cross-members were usually visible (Figure 16). 

Figure 16. Typical tank inspection view. 

11.2.1 Water Depth in Tanks from 2012 Survey 

A total of 288 barge tanks were inspected; however, three hatches were not accessible due to covers that 

could not be opened for inspection resulting in 285 barge tanks evaluated for water content. 

As shown in Table 16, results of the barge inspection indicated 44 percent of all tanks were completely dry 

and 50 percent had only a trace amount of water. Only 6 percent of the tanks held water above the 4-inch 

measurable threshold that allowed the use of the YSI meter. 
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Table 16. Barge Tank Water Content, July-August 2012. 

Number of Tanks Percent of Total Tanks

Dry 126 44%

Less than 4" 141 50%

Equal to or greater than 4" 18 6%

Total 285 100%

Of the two towboats accessible to inspect, both had a bow and stern tank. The STACY DIANE (Hanson 

Material Services) had an empty bow tank and held 32 inches of ballast water in the stern tank. The 

WINDY CITY (Illinois Marine Towing) had an empty stern tank and held 24 inches of ballast water in the 

bow tank. 

11.2.2 Water Temperatures and Dissolved Oxygen from 2012 Survey 

Water temperature in barge and towboat tanks ranged between 81.1 - 86 °F. DO in tanks ranged between 

2.85 - 7.07 milligram per liter (mg/L) (Figure 17). Tank water in the STACY DIANE was 90 °F and had a 

DO reading of 3.11 mg/L when measured during mid-morning. The WINDY CITY bow had a temperature 

of 84.5 °F and DO was 6.65 mg/L when the water was measured in the afternoon. River baseline 

measurements of temperature and DO were 82.1 to 90 °F and 3.11 to 7.55 mg/L, respectively. 

 

Figure 17. Water Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Comparisons. 
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11.3 Conclusions from 2012 Survey 

The overall findings of this survey of local barge traffic near the dispersal barrier compares closely to the 

condition and water content/levels of the larger initial barge study of 2010. The percentage of tanks with 

measurable amounts of water (5 percent versus 6 percent) and the temperature and DO in those tanks are 

very similar. Due to lack of availability, only two tow boats were inspected. Each tow boat contained 2 feet 

or more of ballast tank water; at least one tank had been filled for several months. Because towboat tanks 

are actively filled more frequently than barge tanks, additional tow boat inspections may be warranted. Due 

to the extended period of time the towboat tanks remain filled, long-term survival of Asian carp larvae in 

them is unlikely. 

The team was able to collect data on 39 barges rafted along areas of the river. The barges inspected were 

usually empty and in generally good condition. One crewmember commented that most barges sit 

uncovered the majority of the time so there is a potential for rainwater to seep through small weld cracks or 

holes contributing to the trace amounts of water that were found. One barge manager reported that the 

empty barges moored along the river are not checked regularly for water in ballast tanks, but are inspected 

anytime they are moved. He said barges are also monitored for water in the ballast tanks every 6 hours 

while in use, which is the same schedule reported by operators of longer distance barges in 2010. 

The barge companies have experienced a recent slowdown in activity around the dispersal barrier focus area 

and consequently fewer barges/tugboats were available for access. A local barge company representative 

from the area mentioned that his company was one of the main barge providers that traverse the dispersal 

barrier. He informed the team that regular coal deliveries will end by mid-September 2012, and his barges 

will no longer be used to transport coal through the barrier and up to the Chicago area. This slowdown will 

dramatically reduce the total number of barges that cross through the dispersal barrier. 
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12 REFERENCES 

12.1 References for “Survivability of Asian Carp in Barge Tanks in the Illinois River” 

Chapman, D. C. & George, A. E. 2011. Developmental Rate and Behavior of Early Life Stages of Bighead 

Carp and Silver Carp. US Department of the Interior, US Geological Society Scientific 

Investigations Report 2011-5076. 

Chapman, D. C. & Hoff, M. H. 2011. Introduction. Invasive Asian Carps in North America. American 

Fisheries Society Symposium 74:1-3. 

Chapman, D. C., ed. 2006. Early Development of Four Cyprinds Native to the Yangtze River, China. U.S. 

Geological Survey Data Series 239, 51 pp. 

Coulter, A. & Goforth, R. R. 2011. Silver and Bighead Carp Movements and Habitat Use in the Wabash 

River, IN. American Fisheries Society Conference. Abstract. 

Cudmore, B. & Mandrak, N. E. 2011. Assessing the biological risk of Asian carps to Canada. American 

Fisheries Society Symposium 74:15-30. 

DeGrandchamp, K. L., Garvey, J. E., & Csoboth, L. A. 2007. Linking adult reproduction and larval density 

of invasive carp in a large river. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 136:1327-1334. 

Irons, K. S., Sass, G. G., McClelland, M. A., & O’Hara, T. M. 2011. Bigheaded carp invasion of the La 

Grange Reach of the Illinois River: Insight from the Long Term Monitoring Program. American 

Fisheries Society Symposium 74:31-50. 

Jennings, D. P. 1988. Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis): Biological Synopsis. US Fish Wild. Serv. 

Biol. Rep. 88(2). 25 pp. 

Jerde, C. L., Mahon, A. R., Chadderton, W. L., & Lodge, D. M. 2011. “Sight-unseen” detection of rare 

aquatic species using environmental DNA. Conservation Letters. 4:150-157. 

Kelly, A. M., Engle, C. R., Armstrong, M. L., Freeze, M., & Mitchell, A. J. 2011. History of Introductions 

and Governmental Involvement in Promoting the use of Grass, Silver and Bighead Carp. American 

Fisheries Society Symposium 74:163-174. 

King, T. L., Eackles, M. S., & Chapman, D. C. 2010. Tools for assessing kinship, population structure, 

phylogeography, and interspecific hybridization in Asian carps invasive to the Mississippi River, 

USA: isolation and characterization of novel tetranucleotide microsatellite DNA loci in silver carp 

Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. Conservation Genetics Resources 3(3) 397-401. 

Kolar, C. S., Chapman, D. C., Courtenay, W. R., Housel, C. M., Williams, J. D., & Jennings, D. P. 2007. 

Bigheaded carps: a biological synopsis and environmental rick assessment. American Fisheries 

Society, Special Publication 33, Bethesda, Maryland. 

Lohmeyer, A. M. & Garvey, J. E. 2009. Placing the North American invasion of Asian carp in a spatially 

explicit context. Biol. Invasions. 
Asian Carp Survivability Experiments and Water Transport Surveys in the 

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Martin, B. Asian carp threat imminent. Leader & Kalkaskian News (accessed September 2011 at 

http://www.morningstarpublishing.com/articles/2011/07/27/leader_and_kalkaskian/news/doc4e3057

d1f2ce0870416494.txt). 

Moy, P. B., Polls, I., & Dettmers, J. M. 2011. The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal Aquatic Nuisance 

Species Dispersal Barrier. American Fisheries Society Symposium 74:121-137. 

Oregon Sea Grant. Website accessed August 2011. 

http://seagrant.oregonstate.edu/themes/invasives/toolkit/Asian-Carp.pdf. 

Papoulias, D. M., Chapman, D. C., & Tillitt, D. E. 2006. Reproductive condition and occurrence of intrasex 

in bighead carp and silver carp in the Missouri River. Hydrobiologia 571:355-360. 

Sass, G. G., Cook, T. R., Irons, K. S., McClelland, M. A., Michaels, N. N., O’Hara, T. M., & Stroub, M. R. 

2010. A mark-recapture population estimate for invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) 

in the La Grange Reach, Illinois River. Biol. Invasions 12:433-436. 

Sparks, R. E., Barkley, T. L., Creque, S. M., Dettmers, J. M., & Stainbrook, K. M.. 2011. Evaluation of an 

Electric Fish Dispersal Barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. American Fisheries Society 

Symposium 74:139-161. 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) website accessed September 2011. 

http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/AsianCarp/eDNA.htm

U.S. Geological Society (USGS). Website accessed August 27, 2011. 

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=05568615. 

Yi, B., Liang, Z., Yu, Z., Lin, R., & He, M. 1988. A Study of the Early Development of Grass Carp, Black 

Carp, Silver Carp, and Bighead Carp in the Yangtze River, China. Chapter 2 of Early Development 

of Four Cyprinds Native to the Yangtze River, China. U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 239-2, 51 

pp. Translated from Chinese to English. Original document published in Yi, B., Yu, Z., and Laing Z. 

eds., 1988. Gezhouba water control project and four famous fishes of the Yangtze River, China: 

Wuhan, China, Hubei Science and Technology Press, pp. 69-135. 

12.2 References for “Water Transport During Normal operations of Towboats and 

Barges in the Illinois River” 

Bettoli, P. W., W. H. Neill and S. W. Kelsch. 1985. Temperature preference and heat resistance of grass 

carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes), bighead carp, Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (Gray), 

and their FI hybrid. Journal of Fish Biology 27:239-247. 

Chilton III, E. W. and M. I. Muoneke. 1992. Biology and management of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon 

idella, Cyprinidae) for vegetation control: a North American perspective. Review Fish Biology and 

Fisheries 2:283-320. 

Chunsheng, Z., L. Zhixin, and H. Henian. 1980. Ecological features of the spawning of certain fishes in the 

Hanjiang River after the construction of dams. Acta Hydrobio. Sin. 7(2):188-193. 
Asian Carp Survivability Experiments and Water Transport Surveys in the 

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Cudmore, B. and N.E. Mandrak. 2004. Biological Synopsis of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). 

Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2705. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 

Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Burlington ON L7R 4A6, Canada. 

FAO. 1980. Freshwater Aquaculture Development in China. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 215. 

Federenko, A. Y. and F. J. Fraser. 1978. Review of grass carp biology. Interagency Committee on 

Transplants and Introductions of Fish and Aquatic Invertebrates in British Columbia. British 

Columbia, Department of Fisheries and Environment, Fisheries and Marine Service, Technical 

Report No. 786. 15 pp. 

Garcia, J., Reporter for ABC in Chicago, 2009. Story posted on their website 

Golovanov, V. K. and A. K. Smirnov. 2007. Influence of the water heating rate upon thermal tolerance in 

common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) during different seasons. Journal of Ichthyology 

Volume 47 (7): 538 - 543. 

Kolar, C. S., D. C. Chapman, W. R. Courtenay, C. M. Housel, J. D. Williams, and D. P. Jennings. 2007. 

Bigheaded carps: a biological synopsis and environmental risk assessment. American Fisheries 

Society, Special Publication 33, Bethesda, MD. 

Leventer, H. 1979. Biological control of reservoir fish. Mekoroth Water Co., Jordan District Central Lab. 

Nazareth, Israel. 

Negonovskaya, I. T. 1980. On the results and prospects of the introduction of phytophagous fishes into 

waters of the USSR. Journal of Ichthyology 20(4):101-111. 

Opuszynski, K., A. Liriski, L. Myszkowski, and J. Wolnicki. 1989. Upper lethal and rearing temperatures 

for juvenile common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., and silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

(Valenciennes). Aquaculture Research Volume 20 (3): 287 - 294. 

Shireman, J. V. and C. R. Smith. 1983. Synopsis of biological data on the grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon 

idella (Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1844). Food and Aquaculture Organization Synopsis. 135: 86 pp. 

Tripathi, S.D. 1989. Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Val.) and Ctenopharyngodon idella (Val.) – Exotic 

elements in freshwater carp polyculture in India. Pages 27-33, In: J. M. Mohan, editor. Exotic 

aquatic species in India. Special Publication 1, Asian Fisheries Society, Indian Branch. 

Versar, Inc. 1999. Risk assessment of the potential effects of stocking triploid-certified grass carp in the 

Potomac River watershed on submersed aquatic vegetation. Report prepared for U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, Chesapeake Bay Program. Columbia, Maryland. 

Wrigley, T.J., Toerien, D.F., Gaigher, I. G., 1988. Fish production in small oxidation ponds. Water Res. 22 

(10), 1279–1285. 
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APPENDIX A TEST PLAN 

The study plan was developed for use during entrainment and survival experiments to be conducted with 

Asian carp on the Illinois River in June 2011. As noted in the report, high river stage and lack of Asian carp 

eggs resulted in modifications to the study plan. 

The full study plan is available in Volume II, Appendix A, of this report. Distribution of the plan was 

limited to U.S. Coast Guard and their contractors prior to the experiments. 
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APPENDIX B ASIAN CARP FIELD AND LABORATORY DATA SHEETS 

The data sheets from the survivability experiments conducted in 2011 are available in Volume II, Appendix 

B, of this report. They are arranged as follows. 

Appendix B1: Times for Fill and Empty of each Tank during Entrainment and Survival Testing

Appendix B2: Water Quality Measurement Datasheets

Appendix B3: Trial 1. Asian carp entrainment/leakage (Task 3.4) laboratory datasheet 

Appendix B4: Trial 1. Asian carp survival (Task 3.5) laboratory datasheets – in tank cages 

Appendix B5: Trial 1. Asian carp survival (Task 3.5) laboratory datasheets – control cages 

Appendix B6: Trial 2. Asian carp entrainment/leakage (Task 3.4) laboratory datasheets 

Appendix B7: Trial 2. Asian carp survival (Task 3.5) laboratory datasheets – in tank cages 

Appendix B8: Trial 2. Asian carp survival (Task 3.5) laboratory datasheets – control cages 

Appendix B9: Trial 2. Plankton Tow Datasheets during Tank Filling 

NOTE: The word “Survey” in the datasheets is referred to as “Trial” in the report text. Two (2) trials were 

conducted for the entrainment, survival, and pump effects experiments. 
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APPENDIX C SURVEY PHOTOS, AUGUST 2010 

Figure C-1. Loaded (upper) and unloaded (lower) barges. Note minimal clearance under bridge. 
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Figure C-2. Interior of empty hopper barge (upper). Loading hopper barge (lower). 
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Figure C-3. Raised and flush hatch covers on rafted barges (Upper). Raised access hatch (lower). 
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Figure C-4. Measuring temperature and dissolved oxygen on rafted barge (upper). Interior of barge void 

space (lower). Water depth approximately 3 inches.
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APPENDIX D SURVEY PHOTOS, JULY-AUGUST 2012 

Figure D-1. Hopper barge dry-docked for repair, note hull depth to freeboard (upper). Hopper barge fully 

loaded with construction grade sand (lower). 
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Figure D-2. Loaded barges rafted at construction materials site (upper). Covers being installed to protect 

cargo on hopper barge; note added height (lower). 
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Figure D-3. Barge being loaded with loose material near dispersal barrier (upper). Empty hopper barge at 

Midwest Generation on CSSC (lower). 
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Figure D-4. Recording data aboard towboat in CSSC (upper). Warning sign on CSSC near dispersal barrier 

(lower).
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APPENDIX E 2010 WATER TRANSPORT FIELD DATA SHEETS 

The data sheets from the 2010 survey of barge ballast tanks are available in Volume II, Appendix C, of this 

report. Sheets include barge number, location, and amount of water in tanks. Temperature and dissolved 

oxygen content are provided for tanks with more than 2-4 inches of water. 
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APPENDIX F 2012 WATER TRANSPORT FIELD DATA SHEETS 

The data sheets from the 2012 survey of barge ballast tanks are available in Volume II, Appendix D, of this 

report. Sheets include barge number, location, and amount of water in tanks. Temperature and dissolved 

oxygen content are provided for tanks with more than 2-4 inches of water. 
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APPENDIX G TOWBOAT AND BARGE DESIGN AND OPERATION 

Towboats: 

Towboats have void tanks, normally located at the bow or stern of the vessel, which are used for ballasting 

operations. Ballast water is pumped into a void tank (not the bilge area) by an onboard pump through 

permanent piping. The discharge of this ballast water is done usually through an onboard pump and 

permanent piping. Some towboats, however, are not equipped with onboard pumps and therefore use 

portable pumps. Typical portable pumps are 2-inch or 3-inch trash pumps that require suction and discharge 

hoses. 

Towboats may take on ballast water as fuel is consumed and before refueling takes place. This ballasting is 

necessary to keep the towboat trimmed to the operating draft required or desired for that particular vessel. 

The ballast water is discharged immediately before refueling or during refueling. Occasionally ballast may 

be taken onboard to improve handling and remain in the tanks for months before being discharged. 

Barges: 

There are several types of barges: dry cargo hopper barges, tank barges and deck barges. 

Dry cargo hopper barges are the most common barges. They measure 200 feet long by 35 feet wide by 12 

to 14 feet tall. These barges look like giant empty shoe boxes with the cargo down in the box. These barges 

are built such that there is one bow tank, 4 or 5 wing (or side) tanks and one stern tank. The wing tanks go 

from one side of the barge, under the cargo hopper, and to the other side of the barge. At the side of the 

cargo hopper, the wing tanks are about 3 feet wide. Under the cargo hopper, the tanks are about 18 inches 

deep. By design, water is free to flow from side to side because there is no centerline bulkhead (or wall) to 

prevent this flow of water. 

Tank barges have more varied sizes. A 10,000 barrel capacity barge measures 200 feet by 35 feet by 12 

feet. Larger capacity barges measure 296 feet long by 54 feet wide by 12 feet. The tank barges have cargo 

boxes like the dry cargo barges although they are cargo tanks. There are usually 3 cargo tanks or 

compartments per barge. Similar to dry cargo barges, tank barges have a bow tank, 4 or 5 wing tanks and a 

stern tank. Some tank barges may have a center bulkhead resulting in separate port and starboard tanks. 

Deck barges are constructed to carry the cargo on the deck of the barge and not down in a cargo box. There 

are few standard sizes for deck barges and they come in many sizes. Deck barges usually have one, if not 

more, centerline bulkheads. This means that the water cannot flow from one side of the barge to the other 

side. Deck barges usually have more individual void tanks because of the centerline bulkhead(s). The 

centerline bulkhead may or may not dissect the bow and stern tanks into two or more separate tanks. Unlike 

dry cargo barges, deck barges do not have wing tanks but rather void tanks that are much larger than wing 

tanks. These void tanks can be 12 – 14 feet deep since they reach from the barge hull to the deck. 

Barges do not have permanent piping to pump water into or out of their tanks, portable pumps are used. 

Barges may be ballasted to clear low bridges such as the low railroad bridge in Lamont. Barge tanks are 

inspected regularly. Operators questioned about standard ballasting practices for this study indicated that 

tanks are inspected once per 6-hour watch when active or once per day if rafted and inactive. 
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