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MARION RESERVOIR LATEST ZEBRA MUSSEL VICTIM
Boater, angler precautions
critical to contain further spread
July 30, 2008 - The Kansas Department of
Wildlife and Parks has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels
in Marion Reservoir. An angler reported finding a single zebra
mussel in the Cottonwood Point area of the reservoir during the
past weekend. KDWP biologist Jason Goeckler investigated immediately,
and found two more juvenile mussels, indicating that reproduction
of mussels has occurred at Marion.
"This is extremely frustrating because the
spread of mussels can be prevented," said Goeckler, aquatic
nuisance species specialist for KDWP. "Other than downstream
movement, zebra mussels can only be spread by human movement.
All it takes is one irresponsible lake user to transport mussels
from an infested lake to another water body. This occurrence
is especially troubling because it means zebra mussels are now
present in the Cottonwood River, a tributary of the Neosho River,
where it had not been documented before.
"It is absolutely critical that all boaters
and anglers take necessary precautions to contain any future
infestation of zebra mussels," Goeckler said.
Three simple steps clean, drain, and dry
-- can help prevent the spread of mussels. Anglers and boaters
must take these precautions to avoid transporting mussels from
infested lakes to other waters:
* never move fish or water from one body of
water to another;
* empty bait buckets on dry land, not into lakes;
* inspect boats, trailers, skis, anchors, and all other equipment
and remove any visible organisms and vegetation; and
* wash equipment with hot (140-degree) water, a 10 percent
chlorine-and-water solution, or dry for at least five days to
remove or kill species that are not visible.
Zebra mussel larvae are free-floating and microscopic,
which enables aquatic users to unknowingly transport them between
water bodies. Since they were first documented in El Dorado Reservoir
in 2003, zebra mussels have spread to four other Kansas lakes,
including Winfield City Lake, Cheney Reservoir, Perry Reservoir,
and now Marion Reservoir.
A highly opportunistic mollusk, the zebra mussel
reproduces rapidly. Once introduced, new populations can expand
quickly and cause great damage both economically and environmentally.
Populations may become quite dense, and can be a serious problem
for boats and water control structures. Zebra mussels attach
to hard surfaces such as rocks, piers, and flooded timber. They
may also attach to pipes, water intake structures, boat hulls,
and motor lower units often clogging them to the point of a malfunction.
The potential impact of zebra mussels on fisheries
can be profound. Zebra mussels eat by filtering microscopic food
from the water. Young fish and native mussels rely on this same
microscopic food to survive.
Economic impacts are as grim as ecosystem impacts.
Due to zebra mussels in intake/discharge pipes, municipalities,
utilities, and industries have incurred significant costs associated
with monitoring, cleaning, and controlling infestations. According
to a recent economic impact study, nationwide expenditures to
control zebra mussels in water intake pipes, water filtration
equipment, and electric generating plants are estimated at $1
billion per year. Power generation alone expends $145 million
per year. Often, these costs are passed along to customers.
What's more, zebra mussels also have very sharp
shells that can cut the unprotected skin of people and animals.
Federal legislation has been passed to help prevent the spread
of zebra mussels. If an individual is caught transporting live
zebra mussels into Kansas, they may face up to six months in
jail and fines up to $5,000.
More information on zebra mussels and other aquatic
nuisance species is available at the KDWP website.
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