Training Video: Don't Move a Mussel
This video, produced a few years ago, gives an overview of the problem of zebra mussels. Run Time approximately 13 minutes
Zebra Mussels - A Brief Overview
Zebra Mussels are an invasive species introduced in the US in the late 1980's. Since that time they have spread to at least 20 states, including Kansas and Missouri, causing billions of dollars in damage. In Missouri, it is confirmed that Smithville Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, Truman Lake, Lake Lotawana, Lake Taneycomo, Lake Niangua, Bull Shoals, the Missouri River, White River, Little Platte, Meramac, Osage and Mississippi Rivers all have Zebra Mussels. In Kansas there are at least 26 infested lakes, including nearby Lake Perry, Clinton Lake, Hillsdale, John Redmond, Wyandotte Lake, Pomona Reservoir, Lake Shawnee, El Dorado, Wabaunsee, Melvern Lake, and the KAW River.
Zebra Mussels spread when their microscopic eggs are transported accidentally in boats, bait buckets, and damp gear.
Zebra Mussels are an invasive species introduced in the US in the late 1980's. Since that time they have spread to at least 20 states, including Kansas and Missouri, causing billions of dollars in damage. In Missouri, it is confirmed that Smithville Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, Truman Lake, Lake Lotawana, Lake Taneycomo, Lake Niangua, Bull Shoals, the Missouri River, White River, Little Platte, Meramac, Osage and Mississippi Rivers all have Zebra Mussels. In Kansas there are at least 26 infested lakes, including nearby Lake Perry, Clinton Lake, Hillsdale, John Redmond, Wyandotte Lake, Pomona Reservoir, Lake Shawnee, El Dorado, Wabaunsee, Melvern Lake, and the KAW River.
Zebra Mussels spread when their microscopic eggs are transported accidentally in boats, bait buckets, and damp gear.
Threats:
Zebra mussels are able to spread rapidly because of their reproductive cycle. Females can produce up to one million eggs per summer. The fertilized eggs develop into microscopic larvae (veligers) that travel in the water before attaching to hard surfaces. Anything that has been wet in a contaminated lake could potentially carry these veligers. Adult zebra mussels can also attach to boats or other equipment and be transported to uninfested waters. Zebra mussels tolerate a wide range of conditions and can significantly alter the ecosystem of waterbodies where they become established. Areas with large densities can have up 6,000 zebra mussels per square foot. they attach to any hard surfaces - boat motors, docks, rocks, and native shellfish shells. Millions of dollars are spent each year for cleanup and repair of inlet pipes and other structures. The shells are extremely sharp and can cause serious injuries.
Control:
PREVENTION IS OUR ONLY OPTION! Zebra mussels can cling to boats, trailers, vegetation, boating equipment (anchors, centerboards, fishing lines, bait buckets), and hunting equipment (decoy anchors, waders). If not removed, these mussels can start new populations when introduced into another waterbody. Veligers can also be transported in water; therefore, it is imperative to drain water from the livewell, bilge, transom well, and impeller before leaving water accesses. Empty bait buckets in the trash, and never release live bait into a waterbody or transfer aquatic animals or plants from one waterbody to another. Wash and dry boats, trailers, and other equipment after use to kill any zebra mussels that were not visible at the water access. Any damp equipment must be thouroughly dried for a period of 7-30 days, depending on climate conditions. Once established, there are no safe ways to remove zebra mussel populations. Therefore, it is very important to PREVENT ANY OUTSIDE BOATS/EQUIPMENT from entering our lake, as these may carry microscopic eggs/larvae into the lake.
Laws
Federal laws prohibit transporting invasive species across state lines. Many states have specific laws and/or regulations specifically addressing aquatic invasive species. In some states individuals can be ticketed for transporting an un-drained boat.
Resources/References:
USDA National Invasive Species Information Center http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov
US Fish and Wildlife: 100th Meridian Initiative http://www.100thmeridian.org
California Department of Fish and Wildlife http://www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel/
Missouri Department of Conservation http://mdc.mo.gov
Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Fact Sheet) http://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/fish/files/ZM%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
Zebra mussels are able to spread rapidly because of their reproductive cycle. Females can produce up to one million eggs per summer. The fertilized eggs develop into microscopic larvae (veligers) that travel in the water before attaching to hard surfaces. Anything that has been wet in a contaminated lake could potentially carry these veligers. Adult zebra mussels can also attach to boats or other equipment and be transported to uninfested waters. Zebra mussels tolerate a wide range of conditions and can significantly alter the ecosystem of waterbodies where they become established. Areas with large densities can have up 6,000 zebra mussels per square foot. they attach to any hard surfaces - boat motors, docks, rocks, and native shellfish shells. Millions of dollars are spent each year for cleanup and repair of inlet pipes and other structures. The shells are extremely sharp and can cause serious injuries.
Control:
PREVENTION IS OUR ONLY OPTION! Zebra mussels can cling to boats, trailers, vegetation, boating equipment (anchors, centerboards, fishing lines, bait buckets), and hunting equipment (decoy anchors, waders). If not removed, these mussels can start new populations when introduced into another waterbody. Veligers can also be transported in water; therefore, it is imperative to drain water from the livewell, bilge, transom well, and impeller before leaving water accesses. Empty bait buckets in the trash, and never release live bait into a waterbody or transfer aquatic animals or plants from one waterbody to another. Wash and dry boats, trailers, and other equipment after use to kill any zebra mussels that were not visible at the water access. Any damp equipment must be thouroughly dried for a period of 7-30 days, depending on climate conditions. Once established, there are no safe ways to remove zebra mussel populations. Therefore, it is very important to PREVENT ANY OUTSIDE BOATS/EQUIPMENT from entering our lake, as these may carry microscopic eggs/larvae into the lake.
Laws
Federal laws prohibit transporting invasive species across state lines. Many states have specific laws and/or regulations specifically addressing aquatic invasive species. In some states individuals can be ticketed for transporting an un-drained boat.
Resources/References:
USDA National Invasive Species Information Center http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov
US Fish and Wildlife: 100th Meridian Initiative http://www.100thmeridian.org
California Department of Fish and Wildlife http://www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel/
Missouri Department of Conservation http://mdc.mo.gov
Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Fact Sheet) http://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/fish/files/ZM%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
Public Service Announcements
Below are a couple of short video presentations (from Texas and Missouri). Share them with family and friends!