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How are zebra mussels spread. #10840744 05/13/15 03:02 PM
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ChuChu1 Offline OP
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Hi, Bill.

These are interesting questions and complaints, and some of them are logical and understandable. I passed this on to Monica McGarrity, the Aquatic Invasive Species Biologist at TPWD whos involved in basically all the zebra mussel monitoring and outreach. Here is her response:

Hi Hans,
This is an interesting question and I agree that it is something to consider in outreachour awareness campaign mainly focuses on impacts to boats/ecosystems/economy to inspire action. Heres my answer in bullet points you can relay to this individual or summarize in your response:
Unfortunately, downstream dispersal of zebra mussels from infested lakes is inevitable if suitable habitats/conditions are available downstream. This is why it is so important for boaters to drain water to prevent infesting other river basins and other new areas.
Release of water downstream from Texas lakes is necessaryboth to provide water for wildlife and humans and to prevent flooding.
Water transfer to other lakes requires an approved invasive species management plan when the source lake is infested with zebra mussels, the plan will involve water treatment to prevent new infestations.
Unlike water releases/downstream flow, boaters pose a greater risk in that they can(and will, if they dont clean, drain, dry) facilitate OVERLAND spread to new basinsand upstream sites, potentially infesting an entire drainage system!
The regulations requiring water draining enable TPWD to require that water be drained to prevent the spread of zebra mussels to new areas. Our TPWD Law Enforcement officers are working to make boaters aware of these rules and the risks and potential prevent new infestations and protect our natural resources. Our goal isnt to fine boatersin fact, to date, wardens have issued only warnings (i.e., no fine) to boaters found to have not drained their boats, instead choosing to inform the boaters and allow them to drain the water. However, these regulations have been in place statewide since July 2014 and boaters should be aware of and following these rules by now. Violation of these rules is a Class C misdemeanor and carries up to a $500 fine.

I would emphasize Monicas points about the threat of the ZM in any response in these forums: once a stream or lake in a watershed is infested by ZM, it will almost certainly infest downstream. Once its there, its unlikely they can be eliminated. Just about the ONLY way that new watersheds will be infested, short of transfer by wet waterfowl, is by boats. And it only takes ONE male and ONE female, or only a little bit of water with larvae in it to infest a waterway, In other words, it doesnt take much! In a nutshell, ZM spread easily and cant be gotten rid of once in place.

And if the boaters dont clean, drain and dry, THEY WILL EVENTUALLY TRANSFER ZM TO A NEW LOCATION. Its inevitable!

One scary note: ZM DNA was recently detected in Lake LBJ.

I hope this helps!

Cheers,

Hans Landel, Ph.D.
Interim Invasive Species Coordinator
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
University of Texas at Austin
4801 La Crosse Avenue
Austin, TX 78739-1702


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Re: How are zebra mussels spread. [Re: ChuChu1] #10840925 05/13/15 03:44 PM
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We all know a big concern is Zebra Mussels causing damage and clogging to pipelines. Yes, there are these things called pipelines now that can transfer very large volumes of water from one drainage basin to another.


That is a perfectly formulated TPWD response there as to be expected. They have an argument to the pipeline issue as well I am certain. Oh yeah, there it is

"Water transfer to other lakes requires an approved invasive species management plan when the source lake is infested with zebra mussels, the plan will involve water treatment to prevent new infestations."

Way to go, good solution the only problem is it isn't quite efficient enough just yet to be even remotely effective. A for effort though.

I wish they would stop making it seem like the boaters are the greater risk here.


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Re: How are zebra mussels spread. [Re: AgSellers04] #10840953 05/13/15 03:49 PM
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ChuChu1 Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: AgSellers04
We all know a big concern is Zebra Mussels causing damage and clogging to pipelines. Yes, there are these things called pipelines now that can transfer very large volumes of water from one drainage basin to another.


That is a perfectly formulated TPWD response there as to be expected. They have an argument to the pipeline issue as well I am certain. Oh yeah, there it is

"Water transfer to other lakes requires an approved invasive species management plan when the source lake is infested with zebra mussels, the plan will involve water treatment to prevent new infestations."

Way to go, good solution the only problem is it isn't quite efficient enough just yet to be even remotely effective. A for effort though.

I wish they would stop making it seem like the boaters are the greater risk here.


OK, let's see YOUR solutions.


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Re: How are zebra mussels spread. [Re: ChuChu1] #10840966 05/13/15 03:54 PM
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I will continue to due my part to delay the spread.

However, with the above statement..."Water transfer to other lakes requires an approved invasive species management plan when the source lake is infested with zebra mussels, the plan will involve water treatment to prevent new infestations."

Seriously?? You have Texoma above pool along with many other lakes and you are telling me that you are going to treat that water before you release it downstream?? Someone please enlighten us on how the water is treated or this process is done. I may not get it, hence why I, among others, want to be enlightened.


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Re: How are zebra mussels spread. [Re: ChuChu1] #10840979 05/13/15 03:57 PM
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Just do a little google searching . You will soon understand there is nothing that is going to keep them from spreading. Sure they have to try something.
It is not careless boaters that has spread them all across the US

Re: How are zebra mussels spread. [Re: ChampionDon (SkeeterDon)] #10840989 05/13/15 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted By: SkeeterDon
I will continue to due my part to delay the spread.

However, with the above statement..."Water transfer to other lakes requires an approved invasive species management plan when the source lake is infested with zebra mussels, the plan will involve water treatment to prevent new infestations."

Seriously?? You have Texoma above pool along with many other lakes and you are telling me that you are going to treat that water before you release it downstream?? Someone please enlighten us on how the water is treated or this process is done. I may not get it, hence why I, among others, want to be enlightened.



No, that is NOT what it said. It said transferring water from an infected basin to an uninfected basin. Water discharged by choice or by flooding stays in the Red River drainage.


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Re: How are zebra mussels spread. [Re: ChuChu1] #10840993 05/13/15 04:03 PM
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popcorn

Re: How are zebra mussels spread. [Re: ChuChu1] #10840995 05/13/15 04:04 PM
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It's inevitable that they'll spread to hospitable waters, even with the regulations. But, hopefully, solutions to reducing or eliminating established populations can be discovered while the spread is slowed.


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Re: How are zebra mussels spread. [Re: ChuChu1] #10841002 05/13/15 04:06 PM
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Zebra mussels can ONLY be spread UPSTREAM or to another river drainage by boaters.


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Re: How are zebra mussels spread. [Re: ChuChu1] #10841008 05/13/15 04:07 PM
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Just what LBJ needs is clearer water and better grass....

Re: How are zebra mussels spread. [Re: ChuChu1] #10841029 05/13/15 04:12 PM
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Not going to stop them and they haven't done all the damage they proposed they would. Bad on pipelines for sure, the rest is speculation at best. A lot of infested lake fisherman will tell you they haven't noticed a difference or the fishing is better than it was.

Re: How are zebra mussels spread. [Re: ChuChu1] #10841044 05/13/15 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted By: ChuChu1
Zebra mussels can ONLY be spread UPSTREAM or to another river drainage by boaters.


Birds my friend, birds.

Re: How are zebra mussels spread. [Re: ChuChu1] #10841048 05/13/15 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted By: ChuChu1
Zebra mussels can ONLY be spread UPSTREAM or to another river drainage by boaters.

BS !!! You don't think that little larvae will stick to a birds foot.

Re: How are zebra mussels spread. [Re: ChuChu1] #10841067 05/13/15 04:22 PM
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ChuChu1 Offline OP
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OK, you say what the state is doing won't work. OK.
Well, man up and send your solution to:

Hans Landel, Ph.D.
Interim Invasive Species Coordinator
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
University of Texas at Austin
4801 La Crosse Avenue
Austin, TX 78739-1702


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Re: How are zebra mussels spread. [Re: ChuChu1] #10841099 05/13/15 04:29 PM
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Like I said they have to try something . But it is not going to stop them! bang

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