Zebra Mussels At Taneycomo

[denjac]

I think maybe the corp ought to post some sighns at the ramps to alert folks of the problem. Maybe a boat washing station wouldn't be out of the question. Makes you think if dredging equipment hauled from one body of water to another might be the carrier. They do stand in water for long periods of time. No way of telling though how they got here.

[Phil Lilley]

I have a room full of Ohioans and Jim from MI where ZM are all over the place. They all say each instance where ZM's show effected each fishery differently. In Lake Erie's case, it was good because the lake was a mess to begin with. But a lake or stream that is relatively clean, they can make it sterile, deplete the water of nutrients the ego system needs to live. In these already clean systems, the ZMs don't do as well- maybe in the case of Taney. Other streams in MI have adversely affected by ZMs. I don't think anyone can acurately guess how it will affect Taney at this point.

[Greg]

Trout fanatic

No problems here. I just wanted to make sure you didn't misunderstand me. Thanks for clarifying.

Greg

[SKMO]

Friends - Not a Taney or a trout fisherman myself, but I do pester the bass species on The Rock to a great extent.

I have some firsthand experience with zebras fishing the upper Mississippi in MN for smallmouth. I also have done my share of reading on the subject over the last 5 years, and have come to the conclusion that the outcome is generally Bad.

Sure there are instances of zebras "filtering and cleaning" the waters, increasing clarity and benefitting sight feeding species. But the long term outcome is simply unknown, to the ecosystems as a whole. What is absolutely known is the devestating effect they have on man-made infrastructure and vessels. Does 500 million dollars touch home? That is one estimate of what it costs the great lakes communities and recreational users each year due to the Zebra. My Brother-in-Law in Rochester MN, who works at a boat dealership told me that in 2006 they rebuilt or replaced over 70 outboard and inboard boat motors damaged or destroyed by zebras in the cooling system of boat motors.

Strictly my opinion but we need to do everything we can as individuals to prevent the spread of this thing. If anyone is looking to the silver lining of the cloud there is none, and if you are too lazy to do your part..... please stay keep your boats and boots off our beloved ozark waters. Anyone want to venture a guess as to how these things will impact our already stressed warm water Ozark riverways? If your answer is it will clean them up and improve them, well you are simply wrong, again in my opinion.

Also FYI here is a decent set of FAQ's put out by MDC in response to the recent zebra discovery in Taney.

Tight Lines - SKMO

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Zebra Mussel Frequently Asked Questions – Lake Taneycomo

1. Q: What are zebra mussels and where did they come from?

A: Zebra mussels are fingernail-sized, black and white striped mollusks. Similar to clams, they are invertebrates with a soft body that is enclosed in a shell. Zebra Mussels are native to the Caspian Sea region of Europe and Asia. They were transported to North American waters in the bilge or ballast water of international ships and were first discovered in Lake St. Clair near Detroit in 1988.

2. Q: How did they get into Missouri?

A: Veligers, or the larval stage of zebra mussels, are easily transported in water in livewells or engine cooling systems. Juveniles and adults use small elastic threads known as byssal threads to attach themselves to any hard surface including rock, wood, concrete, plastic, crayfish shells and other mussel shells. They remain attached to an item until they die. Adult zebra mussels can live for several days out of water. If the mollusks attach themselves to watercraft which is then moved to another body of water, the zebra mussels hitchhike a ride to a new lake or stream. It is suspected that zebra mussels were transported into the state by watercraft that had been in the Mississippi River or other zebra mussel-infested waters.

3. Q: Do you know when and how zebra mussels were introduced into Lake Taneycomo?

A: Because zebra mussels can attach themselves to virtually any hard surface and are easily transported in livewells and engine cooling systems, we cannot determine exactly how or when they were introduced into the lake. As there are tens of thousands of visitors to Lake Taneycomo annually, it is likely that zebra mussels were unintentionally transported by boats, motors, trailers, aquatic plants or other items that had previously been in infested waters.

4. Q: How were you made aware of the infestation?

A: Employees of Empire District Electric Company (operators of Powersite Dam on Lake Taneycomo) contacted the Missouri Department of Conservation to investigate what they thought to be zebra mussels on some submerged items they removed from the lake.

5. Why is the presence of zebra mussels in Lake Taneycomo a concern?

A: A single adult female zebra mussel can produce a million young each year that can coat the surface of any item upon which they attach themselves. In some locations zebra mussels have reached densities of more than 750,000 per cubic meter – in some areas in the Mississippi River, zebra mussel shells are up to 6 feet thick on the bottom. At these high densities they can clog power plants, industrial and public drinking water intakes and boat hulls, causing millions of dollars in damage. Zebra mussels directly threaten native mussel populations by suffocating them and preventing them from getting nutrients.

6. Do you routinely monitor for zebra mussels?

A: Conservation Department biologists have been observing submerged and on-shore areas during the course of their other duties since the zebra mussel was discovered in the state. Additionally, we have worked to educate Missourians about ways they can help prevent the spread of zebra mussels. The result has been several instances of citizens and business owners reporting infected boats, which were prohibited from being launched in water bodies until properly cleaned. This work continues today. Several Missouri STREAM TEAMS also are helping by monitoring lakes and streams for zebra mussels. If you would like to join the effort, call (800)781-1989 or visit the Stream Team web-site at www.mostreamteam.org.

7. Q: Is there any way to rid the lake of the zebra mussels?

A: Research for methods to eradicate zebra mussel populations is ongoing. There are some mollusk-specific chemicals that help control zebra mussel populations, but the large scale use of these, i.e., treatment of the entire lake, is unfeasible. Additionally, these chemicals are also harmful to our native mussels and snails. The Conservation Department can provide information to those who would like to apply those chemicals at their facilities.

8. Q: My boat stays at Lake Taneycomo and is moored in a slip. What can/should I do?

A: On boats that remain in the water, zebra mussels can attach to drive units, cover or enter water intakes, and clog, overheat and destroy the engine. If possible, leave outboards or out drives and lower units in the “trim up” position. Juvenile mussels are quite soft and are scoured off the hull when the boat is cruising. Periodically inspect hulls, drive units, docks, boat lifts, and cables and scrape free of mussels. Mussels and other items removed from the boat should be properly disposed of in a trash container. If possible, pump hot water through your engine's intake on a regular basis to prevent mussel growth inside the engine's cooling system. If you ever move your boat, lift or dock to another body of water, follow the steps outlined below.

9. Q: What can I do to help?

A: You can play a critical role in preventing the spread of zebra mussels in Missouri by following a few simple steps:

Inspect boats and trailers thoroughly, and remove any trash, mussels or aquatic weeds before leaving any water body. Mussels and other items removed from the boat should be properly disposed of in a trash container.

Drain water from the motor, live-well, bilge and transom wells, and any other water from the boat and equipment before leaving any water body

Dump leftover bait on land, away from the water.

Rinse boats, trailers and equipment (including live-wells, bilge, and cooling systems) thoroughly with hard spray or HOT (104 degrees) water, like that found at a do-it-yourself carwash.

Dry boats, motors, trailers and equipment thoroughly in the hot sun (for approximately 5 days) before using them again.

Several Missouri STREAM TEAMS are helping by monitoring lakes and streams for zebra mussels. If you would like to join the effort, call (800)781-1989 or visit the Stream Team web-site at www.mostreamteam.org.

10. Q: Where can I get more information about zebra mussels?

A: For more information about zebra mussels, please feel free to contact the Conservation Department Invasive Species Coordinator at (573)-751-4115 or go to www.protectyourwaters.net . To report a potential zebra mussel sighting, contact your nearest Missouri Conservation Department office or go to: http://www.mdc.mo.gov/nathis/exotic/ By working together we can prevent the spread of zebra mussels in Missouri.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For more information contact the Conservation Department Invasive Species Coordinator at (573)-751-4115.

[Danoinark]

Excellent post SKMO..thanks for updating...Dano

[Aeronikl]

Great information, SKMO. Said it better than I ever could. It is an emotional issue for me...and it will soon be a financial issue for everyone in the watershed...just as it is for everyone in the Great Lakes and other systems already infested.

[CaptainT16]

Friends - Not a Taney or a trout fisherman myself, but I do pester the bass species on The Rock to a great extent.

I have some firsthand experience with zebras fishing the upper Mississippi in MN for smallmouth. I also have done my share of reading on the subject over the last 5 years, and have come to the conclusion that the outcome is generally Bad.

Sure there are instances of zebras "filtering and cleaning" the waters, increasing clarity and benefitting sight feeding species. But the long term outcome is simply unknown, to the ecosystems as a whole. What is absolutely known is the devestating effect they have on man-made infrastructure and vessels. Does 500 million dollars touch home? That is one estimate of what it costs the great lakes communities and recreational users each year due to the Zebra. My Brother-in-Law in Rochester MN, who works at a boat dealership told me that in 2006 they rebuilt or replaced over 70 outboard and inboard boat motors damaged or destroyed by zebras in the cooling system of boat motors.

Strictly my opinion but we need to do everything we can as individuals to prevent the spread of this thing. If anyone is looking to the silver lining of the cloud there is none, and if you are too lazy to do your part..... please stay keep your boats and boots off our beloved ozark waters. Anyone want to venture a guess as to how these things will impact our already stressed warm water Ozark riverways? If your answer is it will clean them up and improve them, well you are simply wrong, again in my opinion.

I couldn't have said it any better. Being from KS, I know first hand fishing a lake with them. El Dorado just east of Wichita here is loaded with them. You will never walk in the lake barefoot. Can't hardly fish without your line being cut by the razor sharp things. It's actually nice though to see how much clearer it is compared to every other mudpit lake here in KS, but that's not a good thing. We just found out that Lake Cheney west of Wichita where the city gets a majority of it's water supply from has just been diagnosed with having them now. The sad thing is, that every lake and river downstream will now get them. Lets hope for the best for Taney, but sad to hear they've located them there as well.

[Forsythian]

Can anyone speak to the "substrate" issue? That is, the lower 1/2 of Taneycomo is primarily a muck bottom... I'm guessing this is not a preferred substrate for the zebras? May limit their spread, hopefully, maybe?

[BrianK]

Not sure if anyone ever responded to a question way up stream....

How should we be treating waders/ boots/ felt soles?????

Spray em down with a dilute bleach solution??

Drying in the sun may not be an option in cooler weather or if fishing the next day.

Seems like boots and felt soles will be an easy way to spread these guys to other waters.

I was on the NFoW on Sunday and a couple guys floated by in a canoe. They mentioned that they were at Taney the day before.

Alot of trout streams will be exposed when folks stop off to hit another stream on the way home from Branson.

Any signage showing up yet at the Taney accesses?

Brian

[Quillback]

Personally, I'm pessimistic the spread of the Zebras can be stopped, unless drastic measures are taken. I fished Grand Lake this week, there aren't any signs that I saw at the boat launch warning people that there are Zebras in Grand and what precautions to take to stop their spread. Not to pick on water skiers and PWC users, but I bet 75% of them don't know what a zebra mussel is. Probably quite a few fishermen are unaware also.