The Brandon Road Interbasin Project is a complex ecosystem protection effort designed to prevent upstream movement of invasive carp and other aquatic nuisance species into the Great Lakes from the Illinois Waterway. Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois, has been identified as the critical pinch point where layered technologies could be used to prevent movement of invasive carp populations into the Great Lakes.    

Pre-construction engineering and design of the project was initiated Dec. 29, 2020, when the state of Illinois signed a design agreement with the USACE Rock Island District. In July 2024, the states of Illinois and Michigan signed a partnership agreement with the USACE Rock Island District, moving the project into construction phase. This agreement allowed $274 million in federal funding, including $226 million provided by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and $114 million in state
funding to be used for construction of the first of three construction increments of the $1.15 billion project.

A comprehensive project overview video of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project that uses satellite imagery and digitally rendered structures to provide a detailed visualization of the multi-layered technologies being designed to prevent the upstream movement of invasive carp.

Construction is planned in three increments:

Construction Increment I: (A) Automated Barge Clearing Deterrent, Leading Edge Bubble Deterrent, Leading Edge Acoustic Deterrent Array, Leading Edge Support Facilities, and Upstream Boat Launch (B) Site Prep, Channel Rock Excavation

Construction Increment II: Electric Deterrent, Wide Acoustic Deterrent Array, Complete Control Building, Right Descending Bank Wall Connect to Lower Guidewall, Flushing Lock, Downstream Boat Launch

Construction Increment III: Complete Engineered Channel 

Non-structural measures, implemented in conjunction with other federal agencies, could include public education and outreach, monitoring, integrated pest management, manual or mechanical removal, and research and development.

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