DAYTON, Ohio -- Dozens of University of Dayton students will be in the Great Miami River on Wednesday in an effort to help revitalize the river.

The students are wanting to bring more attention to the waterway and to show its potential.

Officials with the Miami Conservatory District and the Five Rivers MetroParks joined about 40 UD students and faculty for a fish-shocking demonstration that involved passing electric current through the water to bring fish to the surface.

The two-day trip is part of an orientation for incoming students to the University’s Rivers Institute, which is a student-led initiative that aims to revive the Great Miami River as an economic, recreational and education resource.

The students began their trip on Tuesday at the Taylorsville Dam in Vandalia and camped overnight at Island Park in Dayton. Students will finish the trip at SunWatch Indian Village.

Fish shocking involves passing an electric current through the water to stun fish and bring them to the surface for counting and studying. The diversity of fish species is a good indicator of the water quality in the area.

The method does not harm the fish, which will return to their original state within minutes.

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