By Mike Moore
Journal Times | Posted: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 12:00 am
A handful of them have been found scattered through the Great Lakes, but the main thing is "there's no established population," said Phil Moy, fisheries and invasive species specialist at the University of Wisconsin's Sea Grant Institute.
At last check, the pests were spotted within 45 miles of Lake Michigan, he said. They headed this way via a Chicago-area canal that connects the Mississippi River to the lake.
An electric barrier was activated in 2002 to keep the massive brutes out. It's doing its job, Moy said, although he does worry some younger ones might be able to sneak through because of the way the voltage is dispersed.
OK, it probably sounded like a hoax when you read about the fish that broke the kid's jaw in Arkansas. Go to YouTube and watch a few of the videos under "flying carp" and you'll be a believer.
Of course, their vertical leap isn't the real danger; it's how they trash the ecosystem. The various species of Asian carp can grow as big as 100 pounds, hogging the plankton that anchor the food chain. They've already messed up parts of the Mississippi.
Keep your fingers crossed you only see them on Web videos.
I see the construction on Ohio Street is wrapping up. Is any more work planned there?
Yes. The section from Kinzie Avenue north to Graceland Boulevard is scheduled to be resurfaced next year, said Rick Jones, Racine's commissioner of public works.
But the reader's probably wondering about the potholier - I'm sure that's a word - part of Ohio Street. Jones said the state plans to reconstruct the segment between Durand Avenue and 21st Street in 2010, and the section from 16th Street to Washington Avenue is supposed to go under the knife in 2012.
As for the current roadwork marathon on Ohio between 16th and 21st streets, Jones said it's possible the contractor could be done this weekend. The state is penalizing Mann Bros. for the delay, he said.
For many years, Lambeau Field had lettering in the end zones. One said "Green Bay" and the other said "Packers." This year, diagonal stripes are in both end zones. Why the change?
The franchise changed the design last season to look like the end zones did in 1957, Packers spokesman Rob Crane said. It was part of the celebration of the stadium's 50th anniversary, and he said the team has just kept it that way.
Since I've loyally kept him on my fantasy football team, here's hoping Ryan Grant spends lots more time admiring that end zone design up close.
Mike Moore compiles the Glad You Asked column, which seeks answers to questions of local interest. Want something answered? Call us at (262) 631-1758 or e-mail: ask@journaltimes.com
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