Ballast Tests at Isle Royale National Park

Tests on ballast water on Isle Royale National Park’s Ranger 3 vessel are wrapping up as part of a study in identifying invasive species. After an outbreak back in 2007, Park Superintendent Phyllis Green formed a team of U.S. Geological scientists to treat the water ballasts that may carry things like bacteria that could be harmful to the local ecosystem. Green says similar tests have created in the past but funding remained an issue.

She adds that permanent testing is still many years away but tests like these are a step forward in the right direction.

Isle Royale National Park has already identified close to 58 areas that harbor invasive species.