Zebra Mussels

OMG NOOOOOOOOooooooooooo!!!

Yup.. I just heard that. It says there are 600 lakes in 29 states effected by the critters already.. Eventually I think most lakes will have them depending on boating traffic in the area. It's just a matter of time.

I'm with Shaun on this topic. I think it was a matter of time before we see more lakes around Texas get it.

I guess if you want to think positive, lake will clear up some!

I hate to hear that. It one of my favorite Lakes.

So they are below the dam... isn't that really more or less "Lake Lewisville"?

well kinda.. It does lead to it through the greenbelt.

Those mussels are a very big problem.

Ok do not trash me to bad, but feel they help most lakes, but is an issue to the pipes and Dam. Most lakes end up being a lot cleaner and produce healthier fish.

Maybe i am missing something from all my reading only an issue to water supply systems.

Know many people have opinions, but rather see some facts, have read a lot of material on this.

If someone said there was carp I would be more concerned.

Omg YESSSSSSsssssssss, I want Mark to be right.

Here is a little info from from USGS The last sentence on the first paragraph is a concern to me.

Why should we care about the zebra mussel?
Many invasive species share common characteristics that make them very adaptable to a new environment. The zebra mussel has the potential to inhabit most of the fresh waters of the U.S. and may impact a variety of native aquatic species and eventually entire ecosystems. They also have had a large economic impact already. Many power plants and water users have had to spend millions of dollars cleaning out zebra mussels from their facilities. In addition, more money has been spent on retrofitting facilities with devices to keep zebra mussels out and to monitor for them. These costs get passed along to the consumers.

What do they eat?
They are primarily algae feeders. They feed by filtering the water through a siphon, up to a liter per day. This is why they like the insides of pipes so well, there is a constant supply of water and food flowing by them.

What impact are they having on the ecosystem?
One of the most well documented impacts is on our native mussels. Zebra mussels are anchoring themselves by the thousands to native mussels making it impossible for the native mussel to function. As many as 10,000 zebra mussels have attached to a single native mussel. Our natives have all but disappeared in Lake St. Clair and the western basin of Lake Erie. Zebra mussels also are filtering the Great Lakes at an amazing rate, making the lake very clear. Most people assume that this increased visibility in the water must mean the water is "cleaner". Not true. All they have done is filter out all the algae which normally would be food for native microscopic organisms.

All you hear are the negative points. I also have heard that fishing on the Arkansas River system has gotten better since their invasion. I guess it depends on how the financial effect is on you to form an opinion. Fisherman are the reason they are spreading at a rapid rate.

We just need to spread the word that zebra mussels taste better than crappie and there is no bag limit on them.

Or

We just need to whisper that they taste better than crappie and that it is illegal to disturb,possess them.

Either way, they will be on the endangered species list soon.