ZEBRA MUSSELS BELIEVED TO BE ENTERING TRINITY RIVER SYSTEM Invasive zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) have been confirmed to have spread from Lake Texoma into the head waters of Lake Lavon, and experts fear they could eventually spread throughout the Red River and Trinity River watersheds. Zebra mussels multiply rapidly and can block water treatment plant intakes and pipes as well as attach themselves to boats, ropes or anything else left in the water. They can cause declines in fish populations, native mussels, and birds. They can also restrict water flow in pipes, foul swimming beaches, damage boat engine cooling systems and cause navigation buoys to sink. Live specimens of zebra mussels have been reported in Lake Texoma and are now believed to be well established there. On Aug. 3 live zebra mussels were found in West Prong Sister Grove Creek approximately 300 yards downstream of the Lake Texoma water transfer pipe. This creek flows into Lake Lavon. “Lake Lavon is in the headwaters of the vast Trinity River Basin, which extends southward to the Gulf of Mexico, so the potential impacts to water quality, fisheries resources, water distribution systems and recreation are huge,” said Inland Fisheries Biologist Bruce Hysmith in a TPWD news release. “Zebra mussels have the potential to be an even greater threat to Texas freshwater resources than invasive aquatic plants such as giant salvinia and toxic organisms such as golden alga,” said Phil Durocher, Inland Fisheries Division director. TPWD will be working with local, state and federal agencies, reservoir controlling authorities and water districts to develop a plan for dealing with zebra mussels. Boaters and anglers are being encouraged to help slow the spread of zebra mussels from one water body to another by cleaning boats, livewells and trailers when leaving any water suspected of having zebra mussels. Boaters and anglers are also being asked to report sightings of suspected zebra mussels to the Operation Game Thief Hotline at (800) 792-4263. More information, including links to photos and detailed information, is on the TPWD Web site (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/protectourwaters).