Population-level modeling of bigheaded carps in the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers
Bighead carp and silver carp (collectively known as bigheaded carps) first escaped to the Mississippi River Basin in the 1970s and by 1989 had invaded the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. The species threaten the economies and ecosystems for these rivers and are currently spreading upriver. USGS scientists are developing population-level models to help guide and inform control strategies and evaluate ongoing management actions with collaborators from Tennessee Tech University.
Bigheaded carps population-level modeling projects
Resource managers seek to limit the spread of bigheaded carps in the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers and reduce the ecological and economical impacts. Population-level models can provide insight into different management control strategies. For the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, these models are being used to compare different management strategies, including behavioral deterrent approaches (such as the lock and dam locations where deterrents might be placed) and physical removal or harvest approaches (such as harvest locations and levels).

Bighead carp and silver carp (collectively known as bigheaded carps) first escaped to the Mississippi River Basin in the 1970s and by 1989 had invaded the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. The species threaten the economies and ecosystems for these rivers and are currently spreading upriver. USGS scientists are developing population-level models to help guide and inform control strategies and evaluate ongoing management actions with collaborators from Tennessee Tech University.
Bigheaded carps population-level modeling projects
Resource managers seek to limit the spread of bigheaded carps in the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers and reduce the ecological and economical impacts. Population-level models can provide insight into different management control strategies. For the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, these models are being used to compare different management strategies, including behavioral deterrent approaches (such as the lock and dam locations where deterrents might be placed) and physical removal or harvest approaches (such as harvest locations and levels).
