Bill Would Close Mississippi River Lock To Block Invasive Carp

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Upper St. Anthony Falls lock on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis would be closed to prevent invasive carp from spreading upstream under a measure headed for final congressional approval.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar and other members of the state's congressional delegation announced Tuesday that the provision has been included in a conference committee's version of a water infrastructure bill. The bill now goes to the full House and Senate for final approval.

The language directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to close the lock within a year of the bill's enactment.

The Upper St. Anthony Falls lock is seen as one of the best sites for choking off the advance of Asian carp up the Mississippi into other Minnesota streams and lakes. It handles only limited commercial traffic.