ATHENS—The latest tests and monitoring looking for zebra mussels in North Texas lakes yielded mixed results.
While zebra mussel DNA was detected in Lakes Texoma, Ray Roberts, Lewisville, Bridgeport and Bob Sandlin, no zebra mussel populations could be confirmed in Lewisville, Bridgeport or Bob Sandlin.
Zebra mussels can have a devastating effect on the state's natural resources. They negatively impact native fish and mussels and foul beaches with their sharp shells. They can wreak havoc for boaters by clinging to boat hulls, reducing the performance of boating equipment, and plugging water intakes. Zebra mussels can also clog municipal and industrial water intake structures and pipes, costing taxpayers millions of dollars.
“We know a zebra mussel population exists in Lake Texoma and Ray Roberts,” said Brian Van Zee, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s regional director of Inland Fisheries. “Our district biologists have looked for evidence of zebra mussel populations in Lakes Lewisville, Bridgeport and Bob Sandlin since receiving the DNA test results, but none have been found. This is not uncommon, as the test is very sensitive and has been known to show positive results in several lakes where zebra mussels have never been documented. It’s possible that the results are showing us that boat owners may be moving contaminated boats to these lakes, but that viable populations haven’t developed.”
Dr. Robert McMahon, Professor Emeritus of Biology at the University of Texas at Arlington, has been monitoring 14 North Texas reservoirs for the presence of zebra mussels using three techniques. One technique looks for zebra mussel DNA in the water, another uses a microscope to look for zebra mussel larvae (veligers) in the water, and the third uses a submerged monitor to look for newly settled juvenile mussels.
“The DNA test results for Lakes Bridgeport and Bob Sandlin were very weak positives,” McMahon said. “The results for Bob Sandlin were so weak as to almost be below the limit of detection.”
“These results are a reminder that boaters need to take the necessary precautions before moving a boat from one lake to another,” Van Zee said. “We encourage boaters and anglers to visit http://www.texasinvasives.org to see a video on how to properly inspect and clean a boat and to learn more about how they can help protect the waters they enjoy.” Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is asking anyone transporting a vessel to take the following precautions: (1) Clean all vegetation, mud, algae and other debris from the boat and trailer; (2) Drain all water from the boat and motor as well as the live-well, bilge, bait buckets and any other compartments or systems that hold water; (3) Dry the vessel and associated equipment for a week to 10 days during the months of May through October or for 15 to 20 days from November through April. These drying times are approximations, and conditions such as cooler air temperatures, higher humidity and whether or not the vessel is kept in dry storage should be considered. These are the easiest preventive measures that boat owners can take to help prevent the spread of zebra mussels.
Boats and other vessels that have been kept on a lake known to be infested with zebra mussels for an extended period of time may require additional cleaning procedures. Power-washing with water at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit and flushing the motor, bilges, live-wells and other raw water intake systems with 140-degree water will kill zebra mussels. To be effective the water coming out of the flushed systems needs to reach 140 degrees to ensure the entire system was exposed to water hot enough to kill the mussels.
Large vessels with complex water intake systems such as those used for cooling the engine, air conditioning or personal sanitation may require decontamination by a boat mechanic or marina and should also include a drying period.
A video showing how to decontaminate a boat can be viewed at http://100thmeridian.org/Video/Clean.asp.
TPWD along with a coalition of partners including the North Texas Municipal Water District, Tarrant Regional Water District, Trinity River Authority, City of Dallas, City of Grapevine, City of Houston, City of Waco, Sabine River Authority, San Jacinto River Authority, Brazos River Authority, Upper Trinity Regional Water District, Canadian River Municipal Water Authority, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Geological Survey and the University of Texas at Arlington continue working together to monitor for zebra mussels as well as educate the public about the need to “Clean, Drain and Dry” their boats.
Under the TPWD and Texas Penal Codes, possession or transporting of zebra mussels in Texas is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $500 for the first offense. Repeat offenses can be elevated to a Class B misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, jail time up to 180 days, or both. If an individual is convicted a third time for this same offense it becomes a Class A misdemeanor which is a fine of up to $4,000, jail time not to exceed 1 year, or both.
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