The barrier islands east of Louisiana's Lake Pontchartrain have still not recovered from the blow dealt by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Bossart said, and a spill such as this one could seriously threaten their recovery.

CNN: Oil spill could be disaster for animals, experts say

For now an electrified barrier lies between the carp and the lake, but a serious proposal has been advanced to re-reverse the river, sever it from the Big Muddy and isolate Lake Michigan from the voracious fish.

FORBES: Currents Of The U.S. Economy Run In Chicago River's Twisted History

In 1953, Jacqueline Cochran became the first woman to break the sound barrier as she piloted a North American F-86 Canadair over Rogers Dry Lake, California.

CNN: Saturday,

An electric barrier in a shipping canal near Chicago is meant to keep them from migrating into Lake Michigan, where scientists say they eventually could spread to the other Great Lakes and out-compete native fish for food.

WSJ: Study: Asian carp unlikely to stow away in barges