What is the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS)?

The Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS) is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study that presents a range of options and technologies to prevent aquatic nuisance species (ANS) movement between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins through aquatic connections. See the map below to view the location of these basins and the GLMRIS study area. Through a structured study process, USACE identified ANS of Concern established in one basin with the risk for transfer to the other, analyzed and evaluated available controls, and formulated alternatives with the goal of preventing ANS transfer between the two basins, specifically within the Chicago Area Waterway System.

Current Status

GLMRIS Program Management is unfunded in FY2023.  With remaining funds, USACE will continue programmatic oversight of GLMRIS and invasive carp related activities, engagement with the public, congressional interests and stakeholder groups, participation in the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ICRCC), and vertical team coordination.

WRDA 2022 changed the cost share requirements for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project (BRIP) to 90% FED/10% Non-FED.  Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) negotiations are continuing with Illinois. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provided new start construction funding.

Focus area 2 closure projects implemented by states include Eagle Marsh (Indiana) and Ohio-Erie Canal (Ohio). Phase 1 of the Little Killbuck Creek (Ohio) closure is scheduled for completion in FY23.

Project Description and Background

The Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS) is a study of the range of options and technologies that could be applied to prevent the transfer of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins, via aquatic pathways.

GLMRIS is being conducted in two focus areas. Focus Area 1 consists of the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS), the only continuous connection between the two basins, and includes Brandon Road. The Focus Area 2 addresses the intermittent connections along the 1,500-mile long basin divide.

Project Authorization

Sec 3061, Water Resources Development Act of 2007

Additional Background

An aquatic nuisance species (ANS) is a nonindigenous species that threatens the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability of infested waters, or commercial, agricultural, aquacultural or recreational activities dependent on such waters. See 16 U.S.C. § 4702(1) (2010).

As a result of international commerce, travel and local practices, ANS have been introduced throughout the Mississippi River and Great Lakes basins. These two basins are connected by man-made channels that, in the past, exhibited poor water quality, which was an impediment to the transfer of organisms between the basins. Now that water quality has improved, these canals allow the transfer of both indigenous and nonindigenous invasive species.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in consultation with other federal agencies, Native American tribes, state agencies, local governments and non-governmental organizations, is conducting the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS). In accordance with the study authorization, USACE will evaluate a range of options and technologies (collectively known as "ANS controls") to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River by aquatic pathways. In this context, the term "prevent" includes the reduction of risk to the maximum extent possible, because it may not be technologically feasible to achieve an absolute solution. As part of this study, USACE will conduct a detailed analysis of various ANS controls, including hydrologic separation.

USACE will conduct an analysis of ANS controls and will analyze the effects each ANS control or combination of ANS controls may have on current uses of: i) the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS), a continuous aquatic pathway between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins; and ii) other aquatic pathways between these basins. Following the Economic and Environmental Principles and Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resource Implementation Studies, Water Resource Council, March 10, 1983, USACE will:

  • Inventory current and forecast future conditions within the study area;
  • Identify aquatic pathways that may exist between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins;
  • Inventory current and future potential aquatic nuisance species;
  • Analyze possible ANS controls to prevent ANS transfer, to include hydrologic separation of the basins;
  • Analyze the impacts each ANS control may have on significant natural resources and existing and forecasted uses of the lakes and waterways within the study area; and
  • Develop a report to provide Congress and other stakeholders with an analysis of potential ANS control alternatives.

Significant issues associated with GLMRIS may include, but are not limited to:

  • Significant natural resources such as ecosystems and threatened and endangered species;
  • Commercial and recreational fisheries;
  • Current recreational uses of the lakes and waterways;
  • ANS effects on water users;
  • Effects of potential ANS controls on current waterway uses such as flood risk management, commercial and recreational navigation, recreation, water supply, hydropower and conveyance of effluent from wastewater treatment plants and other industries; and
  • Statutory and legal responsibilities relative to the lakes and waterways.

Project Manager

Jeff  Zuercher

Project Location

Great Lakes Basin

Project Area / Photos

Click map to enlarge.

Species

Aquatic nuisance species established in one basin with the risk for transfer and establishment in the other

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Controls

Range of options or technologies available to prevent the transfer of aquatic nuisance species

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Other Pathways

Potential aquatic pathways along the watershed boundary outside of the Chicago Area Waterway System

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GLMRIS Report

A range of alternatives with the goal of preventing inter-basin transfer of aquatic nuisance species in the Chicago Area Waterway System

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Brandon Road

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District

Evaluation of controls near Brandon Road Lock and Dam to prevent the one-way transfer of aquatic nuisance species from the Mississippi River to the Great Lakes

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