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ZEBRA MUSSELS DOCUMENTED AT LAKE AFTON
Second lake in a week to report
presence of destructive mussels
July 31, 2008 - Following on the heels of
a report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
that zebra mussels have been found in Marion Reservoir, biologists
with the agency have now discovered a second lake infested with
the aquatic nuisance species. KDWP biologists conducting a routine
check of Lake Afton on Thursday, July 31, discovered two adult
zebra mussels in the 258-acre lake, south of Goddard.
"Finding zebra mussels in two lakes within
one week is disappointing to say the least," said Jason
Goeckler, aquatic nuisance species specialist for KDWP. "If
people would just follow the precautions laid out in fishing
regulations brochures, Kansas Wildlife & Parks magazine articles,
and KDWP news releases, this could be prevented."
Goeckler explained three simple steps clean,
drain, and dry -- that can help prevent the spread of mussels
from one infested lake to another:
* 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 and boat 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 five other Kansas lakes,
including Winfield City Lake, Cheney Reservoir, Perry Reservoir,
and 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 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.
White perch, another aquatic nuisance species,
was discovered in Lake Afton in August of 2007. More information
on zebra mussels and other aquatic nuisance species is available
at the KDWP website.
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