Record Zebra Mussel Populations in 2004

     The spread of invasive species across the nation is an ever increasing problem for all states.  Oklahoma’s most notorious species is likely the Zebra Mussel.  The cooler weather has not only been nice for us this year, but also for the states Zebra Mussel population.  The Zebra Mussel is an invasive clam that was first found in Oklahoma in 1993 in the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System.  Everett Laney, Biologist for the Tulsa District Corps of Engineers, say’s that “our warm summers have apparently been able to keep there numbers down, but this years cooler temperatures have allowed the population to increase to record numbers.  The highest population previously recorded was 5,200 in 1997 at the Robert S. Kerr Powerhouse, south of Sallisaw.  A recent population count at that powerhouse shows densities ranging from 99,000 to nearly 135,000 Zebra Mussels per square meter”.  Dr. Schooley, Northeastern State University, has been monitoring the Arkansas River population since 2000? and his studies are showing an increase in numbers throughout the navigation system.

     Zebra Mussels were found in Oologah Lake last June and the numbers have been steadily increasing there as well.  Dr. Joe Bidwell from Oklahoma State University has been monitoring that population, as well as the population that was found in August of last year in El Dorado Lake in Kansas.  Dr. Bidwell say’s “the Zebra Mussels are increasing in numbers and size, and more reproductive”.  In fact, the wet spring and summer we’ve experienced has required the Corps of Engineers to release a lot of water from El Dorado this year and the Zebra Mussel larvae are now showing up in Kaw Lake. 

Zebra Mussels are most often found in water 3 to 45 feet deep.  Most are thumbnail size, but can grow to 2 inches.  They have an elongated, "D"-shaped, somewhat pointed, thin shell with a zebra-like pattern of stripes.  They are the only fresh water mussel that attach to solid objects.

The mussels have spread throughout large portions of the American waterway system since they were brought to the Great Lakes by trans-Atlantic ships in 1986.  Their reproductive rate and their ability to attach to underwater structures have caused great economic impacts to Federal, state, municipal and industrial water users.  They also impact boats by attaching to hulls and to water inlets on boats and personal watercraft engines.

The Oklahoma Zebra Mussel Task Force is asking boaters, personal watercraft users, and fishermen to take a few precautions when recreating in an infested lake or river.  As a prevention, boats and personal watercraft should not be left in the water for extended periods of time.  With regular use, engine heat will keep mussels from colonizing inside most engine parts. Because microscopic Zebra Mussel larvae can be unknowingly transported in bilges, engine cooling systems, minnow buckets, live wells, and anywhere water is trapped.

Jeff Boxrucker, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, says there are some simple precautions that can help slow the spread of the Zebra Mussel and protect your watercraft. 

    When you pull your boat out of the water, drain your bilge water, live wells and bait buckets.  Don’t dump your unused bait into the water, especially if the bait was taken from known infested waters.

    Inspect the boat and trailer.  Young Zebra Mussels may feel like grit on the surface.  Scrape off any Zebra Mussel, but do not return them to the water.

If you are not using the boat for at least a week you can store the boat and trailer out of the water for at least a week before entering another waterway.

If you are putting the boat back into another waterbody within the week you can wash the boat parts and accessories with a high pressure sprayer.  Be sure to spray the bilge, live well, pumping system and bait buckets.  Hot water, 140 degrees Fahrenheit will kill them immediately.

Or, you can use a 10% solution of household chlorine bleach and water, or a hot saltwater solution to thoroughly wash the boat.  Do not wash your boat at the boat ramps where these solutions could run back into the lake.

These tips will help protect our lakes from further spread of this mussel and will help protect water users from expensive repairs and mussel cleanup costs.  If you do find Zebra Mussels in a lake other than the R.S.Kerr Navigation System, Oologah Lake, or Kaw Lake you are asked to contact the Corps of Engineers or the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

If you want to learn more about Zebra Mussels or any of the other invasive species that are causing problems in the nation, you can log on to protectyourwaters.net or 100thmeridian.org.