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Zebra mussels continue to spread
in Oklahoma
June 16, 2006 - odwc - Fisheries biologists from the Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation made an all-too-familiar
discovery recently. While conducting research on striped bass
in the Arkansas River, zebra mussels were found below Zink Dam
in Tulsa. With the recent discovery of zebra mussels in Sooner
and Skiatook lakes, this makes the third new location for zebra
mussels this summer.
Zebra mussels, native to Baltic area of Europe
and Asia, were brought to the Great Lakes in ballast water of
ocean-going ships in 1986. Zebra mussels have been estimated
to cause three billion dollars in economic losses annually. Zebra
mussels attach to solid surfaces in large numbers and have clogged
water intake pipes six feet in diameter. They have also interfered
with shipping by clogging locks and dams. Biologically, zebra
mussels filter large volumes of water daily, removing nutrients
and plankton that serve as the base of the food chain. Even though
zebra mussels have increased water clarity, this has lead to
reductions in fish numbers and, in some cases, overabundance
of aquatic plants.
Zebra mussels moved down the Mississippi River,
most likely with barge traffic, and were discovered in the McClellan-Kerr
Navigation System in 1993. Numbers remained low in the Navigation
System but after being moved to Oologah Lake, most likely with
recreational boat traffic, the abundance has exploded, exceeding
historically high levels in the Great Lakes. Swimmers must now
wear tennis shoes or risk cuts on their feet when swimming in
Oologah.
Recreational boat traffic was also the likely pathway
to infestation of El Dorado Lake in Kansas. From there, zebra
mussels moved downstream with water releases, entered the Arkansas
River, and became established in Kaw in 2004. Mussels continued
to move downstream with adult mussels being found in Keystone
in 2005.
The recent discovery below Zink Dam verifies continued
downstream movement. Oklahoma Gas and Electric pumps water from
the Arkansas River to maintain stable water levels in Sooner
Lake. This is a likely means of transfer to Sooner. Zebra mussels
likely were spread to Skiatook Lake by boaters moving from a
lake infested with zebra mussels to Skiatook without taking proper
precautions to clean mussels from the boat.
Even though it is likely too late to stop the natural
movement of zebra mussels down the Arkansas River, boaters need
to take precautions to avoid spreading mussels to lakes not currently
infested. Before moving from one lake to another, all boaters
should:
- Drain the bilge water, live wells, and bait buckets.
- Inspect the boat and trailer for attached zebra mussels.
- Scrape off any zebra mussels.
- Dry boat and trailer for one week before entering another waterway.
- Wash boat parts and trailer with 140 degree water, a 10 percent
chlorine and water solution, or a hot saltwater solution. Do
not wash at ramp. Finish with a clean water rinse.
Zebra mussels pose a serious threat to our state's
waters and all citizens need to take an active role in preventing
further spread. For more information on zebra mussels, log on
to www.protectyourwaters.org or www.100th meridian.org.
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