Zebra Muscles In Table Rock

[Goggle-Eyed]

As far as I am concerned LOZ needs to be drained.

Since this lake is a power supply we can't drain it. But, I have a better idea, we will just make it a "locals" only lake and everyone must stay off of this lake. There's no fish in it anyway!!!

Joe

[Chief Grey Bear]

This is a short piece of an article in Outdoor Life. Not the one I am looking for but, I stumbled on this one looking for the other one. Again I am not advocating the introduction of ZM.

The habitat for bass in Lake Erie has been improving since zebra mussels invaded the lake in the late '80's. By filtering zooplanton and other nutrients out of the water, the mussels allow sunlight to penetrate deeper than ever before, stimulating a surge in aquatic vegitation. Extensive beds of milfoil and other vegetation now surround the rock and rubble shallows, providing food and cover for juvenile bass while attracting large forage fish and crustaceans for adult smallmougths.

In the spring of 1991, Lake Erie experienced an incredible hatch of smallmough bass and this year these fish should top 20 inches. Moreover, the fish are growing faster than ever before, promising supe-sized smallmouth for years to come.

The other article was similar to this one in that I read it, there seems there may be some benifit to fish. I'll keep looking for the other one.

[Phil Lilley]

I'm speaking out of hat here (not sure what that means but it means at least here that I'm speaking from memory and that's not really that good) but I remember being told by a local at Lake Erie that the lake was so bad (pollution) that the ZM were good for that lake. But other places it was bad like alot of the streams in North Michigan.

I've been told that the impact on Table Rock and Taney and probably BS won't be as bad because our lakes are pretty clean already and the ZM won't multiply to large numbers just for that reason. I guess we'll see, huh?

[Phil Lilley]

I wonder what the numbers are like at LOZ.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I am not so sure Table Rock doesn't need a good flushing. It's not the lake I knew 25 years ago before all of the development. I'm not sure though, this is the way we want to do it.

[Phil Lilley]

Don't think flushing itself would do anything but ruin the economy on and around any lake. I'm sure it's a wait and see deal.

[trout fanatic]

First, a couple of things (and keep in mind I am VERY passionate about this topic so I admit up front I am BIASED). I notice the article quoted mentions 1991 as a reference. That is a long time ago and I guarantee you that things have changed. I highly doubt that the gentleman who wrote it lives on the lake. Secondly, appearances are deceptive. A clearer lake does not mean a cleaner lake. I doubt that zebra mussels dig motor oil. I personally think that the powers that be must levy heavy penalties against shipping lines who enter fresh water and empty their ballasts full of salt (and lord knows what else). The states that border the great lakes did a tremendous job in the 70's in levying penalties against heavy industries that polluted the lake. Most of them went out of business or relocated (Diamond Shamrock-one of the biggest violators of all is now in Houston-I pity Houston). The downside to this however, has been the loss of jobs. Most of the cities that border the lakes are in economic downturns. They need the few jobs that the shipping industry provides so I am not holding my breath expecting miracles. In fact I expect this debate to continue on great lakes forums for decades to come.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Don't think flushing itself would do anything but ruin the economy on and around any lake. I'm sure it's a wait and see deal.

Yeah I hear ya. How do you fix a dying lake? None of them in this coner of the world are how they were years ago. But that is the price we pay for cheap chicken, beef and pork with a million dollar view.

[Phil Lilley]

all lakes are dying, just in different stages. In 50 years, just think what these lakes will look like - I'm sure they will talk about our time as the good old days.

[skeeter]

Amazed to hear anything positive about Zebra Mussels. Always heard they took over traditional spawning areas so the fish couldn't use them. Would like to hear any input from LOZ ( Lake of the Ocean, that's a good one ) dock and lift owners about the impact to docks and boat lifts due to invasion of Zebras. Heard several rumors about them weighing down both so heavily they had to be cleaned or both started to slowly sink.