FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 28, 2004
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Shearer, 773-2743

ZEBRA MUSSELS IN MISSOURI RIVER COULD MEAN BAD NEWS FOR WEST

PIERRE, S.D. – State Game, Fish and Parks officials say harmful zebra mussels recently discovered in the Missouri River could mean bad news for the West, as zebra mussels could infest more western waters by clinging to recreational boats coming west for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial.

"The discovery of juvenile zebra mussels below two Missouri River dams in South Dakota has western water officials worried about a possible infestation in the West," said Game, Fish and Parks Aquatic Ecologist Jeff Shearer of Pierre. "We are asking boaters visiting the West for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial to be extra vigilant about keeping their boats clean. " 

The zebra mussel is an exotic nuisance species native to the Caspian region of western Russia. It was most likely brought to the United States in the late 1980s in the ballast water of a foreign vessel. The zebra mussel damages ecosystems, native fish and shellfish and has caused millions of dollars in damage to water intakes and pipes in 20 states in the East and the Midwest.

The zebra mussel moves to new locations by sticking to boat hulls, fittings, plants and other surfaces. Recreational boaters who don’t carefully clean their boats may unknowingly transport the zebra mussel from infested lakes and streams to previously uninfested waters. This species can live outside of the water for at least five days, which is plenty of time to successfully hitchhike on a boat being trailered from Ohio to Montana, for example. 

Western water officials are feeling particularly edgy because of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. "Thousands of boaters from parts of the country where zebra mussels are common are heading to the West to recreate Lewis and Clark’s expedition," Shearer said. "Any one of them could unknowingly cause a zebra mussel infestation. Waterways in North Dakota, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Oregon are all at risk."

Millions of dollars are at stake because of the level of damage zebra mussels can cause. Because the species is not native to the United States, it has few natural predators and reproduces very quickly. Its danger lies in its sheer numbers and its ability to adhere to any solid surface. 

"The presence of zebra mussels in the Missouri River has implications for a wide variety of groups," Shearer noted. Resource managers, sportsmen, marina operators, irrigators, and municipalities could all be impacted by the presence of zebra mussels.

Studies have shown that public education makes a huge difference in preventing and slowing the spread of exotic species. Therefore, officials have been trying to inform residents on how they can help prevent a zebra mussel infestation. Here are some things to know:

Description of zebra mussels:

• A zebra mussel looks like a small clam with a D-shaped shell. Usually it has alternating dark and light stripes.   
• Can be up to two inches long, but ordinarily are about as big as your fingernail.  
• Usually found attached to hard surfaces in clusters.  
• Young zebra mussels look like black pepper and feel like sandpaper when attached to a boat surface

How to prevent zebra mussels from hitching a ride. Before leaving any waterbody:

• Inspect your boat and trailer. Remove all plants and animals.  
• Drain your motor, live well, and bilge while on land.  
• Empty your bait bucket on land. Never release live bait into a water body or transport aquatic animals from one water body to another.  
• Rinse your boat, trailer, and equipment. High-pressured hot water is best, but a garden hose will work.  
• Air-dry your boat and equipment for as long as possible. At least five days is optimal. 

For more information on zebra mussels, visit www.protectyourwaters.net or 

www.100thmeridian.org.

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