Witness says closing locks to stop Asian carp from reaching Great Lakes would raise flood risk

Hearing under way to keep carp out of Great Lakes

CHICAGO — A witness in a federal lawsuit seeking the closure of two Illinois shipping locks to thwart Asian carp says the move would raise risks of devastating floods.

Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin want a judge to order the locks shut to keep the invasive fish from leaving Chicago-area waterways and overrunning the Great Lakes.

But a federal hydraulic engineer testified Friday that Chicago relies on being able to open the locks to reduce river levels during storms.

Tzuoh-Ying Su (CHOH’ YING’ SOO’) says barring authorities from flushing water into Lake Michigan could cause major flood damage and cost lives.

Officials opened locks for flood prevention in July. But Su conceded it’s a rare step.