The discovery of a zebra mussel fragment at an area boat ramp has water quality enthusiasts issuing reminders about the dangers of aquatic invasive species.

According to Mike Hawkins, District Fisheries Biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, a zebra mussel fragment was discovered last Tuesday when a boat was being launched into West Lake Okoboji at the Emerson Bay boat ramp. Water Patrol Officers inspecting the boat noticed the shell of a zebra mussel and notified the DNR.

"The boat was owned by a gentleman from Wisconsin," said Hawkins. "It had been in infested waters in Wisconsin; The gentleman was well aware he was in infested waters and assured us that he had taken necessary steps."

Hawkins said he believed the fragment was found near the boat's anchor rope.

"It was not live, just a fragment," he said. "It really shows two things. First, education does work. This person obviously had heard all the things that he should have from his own department there in Wisconsin, and had taken the proper precautions to make sure his boat was clean before he came to any other water body... The other thing I think was really impressive was that this tiny fragment, maybe a quarter of an inch long, was found during our inspection. It was pretty small, which says a lot for the inspections being done."

Hawkins also said that boat had been launched into West Lake the day before the inspection.

"That's a third point," said Hawkins. "No matter how many volunteers we have out, we're going to miss some things. We're only going to do as good of a job as we have the resources for, the rest is up to the citizens. They have to take the proper steps to be sure the lakes are protected."

Zebra mussels are clam shells between 1/2 and 2 inches in length that originated in Asia and are considered the biggest threat to the Lakes area. They reproduce rapidly and attach themselves to anything and everything solid in lakes and are an environmental, recreational and economic threat to the area. Because a single female zebra mussel can produce 30,000 eggs and the species has a rapid maturity rate, once they are introduced to a waterbody it is very difficult (maybe impossible) to remove them. Zebra mussels have the potential to attach to and block intake pipes for drinking water, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage on a yearly basis.

Steve Anderson, Urban

Conservationist for northwest Iowa, says this discovery is a renewed warning that invasive species are a serious threat to the area. While officials and volunteers assist in inspections at boat ramps, individual boat owners can also assist in protection of the lakes.

"The best thing to do is inspect boats, look for any signs of plants or animals hanging off the boat or the trailer, and if you have a livewell, get that water out of the boat, get it dried off and dried out," said Anderson. "Realistically the best thing they can do is take the boat to a car wash that has hot water. Spray it down under high pressure, and let it sit for 5-7 days."

Volunteer efforts

For the summer of 2008, there is an opportunity for volunteers to assist the DNR on busy weekends and holidays to help prevent aquatic invasive species from entering the Iowa Great Lakes.

"The cooperation has been wonderful," said Phil Petersen of the Water Safety Council. "We find some people who know all about aquatic invasive species and some just don't know anything, so we're about halfway with the education... [The zebra mussel fragment] was found at about 6 a.m. That just shows how vigilant we have to be."

Each volunteer covers a boat ramp for two hours each summer month to educate boaters about the harm aquatic invasive species can do to our lakes. Some volunteers may want to contribute more than two hours per month, and that is encouraged. The volunteers would also inspect boats and trailers to be sure they are not carrying an invasive species. Volunteers will be provided a DNR identification vest, clipboard, and report form for conducting the interview with the boater. Many have volunteered, but help is still needed.

"We'd like to have more volunteers, and we are short of volunteers for the Fourth of July weekend," said Petersen. "East Lake and Spirit Lake seem to be having the most difficulty finding volunteers. Their lakes are shallower, so they are more at risk."

* A volunteer schedule is posted on the Water Safety Council Website at www.watersafetycouncil.org. Volunteers may also contact program coordinators Sandy Ladegaard (West Okoboji) at (712) 332-7123, Susan Clark (East Okoboji and Lower Lakes) at (712) 320-2939 or Dick Ramsey (Spirit Lake) at (712) 336-5336.