Boaters encouraged to use extra caution on areas of Kentucky Lake in early November

USGS and partners will set block nets in #JonathanCreek at the U.S. Highway 68 bridge and in the Northwest Arm for Asian Carp research on Nov. 2-13. (Credit: Matthew, Acre. USGS. Public domain.)

Scientists will be using block nets to confine the movement of tagged  silver carp to research ways to increase the efficiency of mass removal efforts

Local officials are asking boaters to exercise extra caution November 2-13, 2020 on portions of Kentucky Lake. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, in conjunction with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the Tennessee Valley Authority, will be setting block nets in the lake at U.S. Highway 68 and in the northwest arm of Jonathan Creek embayment to capture, tag and track silver carp during herding efforts to determine their response and movements. The goal of the research is to find ways to increase the efficiency of mass removal efforts of these invasive fish.

Boaters can pass over these nets by trimming the outboard motor up and turning it off while passing over the net. If the boat’s motor cannot be trimmed, the operator may use a device to push the net down as the boat passes over, again with the motor off. The nets will be marked by buoys and yellow flags.