• research-interns
  • Aquatic Ecology Program

    In order to better understand large rivers ecosystems, researchers and scientists must monitor the state of the natural resources that compose the system. The Center partners on research projects with federal agencies like the Army Corps and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Research on the assessment of ecological impacts of large-scale river habitat restoration projects has included tracking ecological responses to habitat restoration in backwater lakes and investigating potential for new strategies for fish passage through navigation locks and dams.

    Long Term Resource Monitoring Program

    NGRREC℠ affiliates with the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) are one of six groups nationally collecting fish population and water quality data for the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP), an element of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration – Environmental Management Program (UMRR-EMP) funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In addition to monitoring, LTRMP also conducts focused research projects and evaluates the success of habitat projects on the Upper Mississippi River System. Since beginning in 1986, LTRMP has compiled one of the most comprehensive long-term data sets for any major ecosystem in the world.

    Invasive Species

    The Center also monitors the spread of invasive species in large river systems. NGRREC℠ affiliates with INHS have conducted research projects and studied invasive species that include Asian carp and zebra mussels. With support from IDNR, the Center’s researchers are currently partnering with INHS colleagues at the Lake Michigan Biological station to assess whether prey resources in Lake Michigan can support populations of Asian carp. In the past, NGRREC℠ has partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, and other organizations in the ongoing assessment of efforts to prevent invasive Asian carp from spreading to the Great Lakes from the Illinois River.

    Great Rivers Ecological Observation Network

  • Contact Information

    National Great Rivers Research and Education Center

    One Confluence Way
    East Alton, IL 62024

    ngrrec@lc.edu
    Phone: (618) 468-2911