From a young age, most are taught electricity and water don’t mix. While there is certainly truth to this statement, there are some exceptions. At Rathbun Lake in southern Iowa, engineers and scientists are working to design a one-of-a-kind electric barrier to deter fish from escaping downstream of the reservoir—all happening under water. The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates and maintains the dam and reservoir at Rathbun Lake, but the Iowa Department of Natural Resources maintains the fish hatchery and fish population found there. Together, along with partners from Iowa State University and the private sector, USACE and the Iowa DNR are hard at work to make the seemingly impossible happen—create a safe, effective underwater electric fish barrier to keep walleye in the reservoir.