Smithville Zebra Mussels just what we need another fish KILL!

[keeferfish]

Treatment will cause some fish to die - just what Smithville needs?

I'm all for prevention but who the heck can let their boat dry in the sun for five days? Guess I’ll need more boats!

CONTACTS:
Missouri Department of Conservation: Scott Ryan, 816-271-3111 x234, [email protected]
Clay County Parks and Recreation: Charlie Barr, 816-407-3400, [email protected]
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Lora Vacca, 816-389-3943, [email protected]


Zebra mussels found at Smithville Lake, treatment pending
Clay County Parks, the City of Smithville, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Conservation Department working to monitor lake and contain spread of this invasive species.


SMITHVILLE Mo – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is working with Clay County Parks & Recreation, the City of Smithville and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to investigate the recent discovery of zebra mussels in a cove of Smithville Lake and to try to prevent the spread of the invasive species in the lake.

MDC Fisheries staff discovered the zebra mussels on a private boat lift during a swimming inspection of the Camp Branch Marina on June 28. The lift was removed from the water and Conservation Agent Scott Stephens is investigating the incident.

According to the Missouri Wildlife Code, it is illegal to transport prohibited species, which include zebra mussels, into, out of or within the state.

MDC Fisheries Management Biologist Scott Ryan said that Conservation staff are continuing to inspect the waters around the dock where the mussels were found for additional signs of infestation. Staff will also conduct long-term monitoring of the entire lake for adult zebra mussels and larvae (veligers).

Adult zebra mussels are dime- to quarter-sized. Although there is a great deal of variation, their shells often have black and white zigzag markings. They attach to solid objects and gather food by filtering tiny plants and animals from the surrounding water. Each female can produce up to a million offspring a year.

The zebra mussel is native to Eurasia. It hitched a ride to North America in the 1980s, arriving in the Great Lakes in the ballast tanks of oceangoing ships. Since then, the thumbnail-sized invader has leapfrogged across much of the continent on commercial and pleasure boats, whose owners unwittingly transport the mollusks when trailering boats from one body of water to another.

Zebra mussels have already infested numerous lakes, rivers and streams in Missouri and Kansas. Missouri infestations have been found in sections of the Mississippi, Missouri and Osage rivers, including the Kansas City and Chamois areas. Lake of the Ozarks has dozens of infested sites. The pests have also turned up in Lake Taneycomo, Bull Shoals Lake and Pomme de Terre Lake. Kansas infestations near Smithville include Perry Reservoir and Milford Lake.

MDC Invasive Species Coordinator Tim Banek emphasizes that zebra mussels pose a threat to both Missouri’s ecology as well as the state’s economy.

“They compete with newly hatched native fish and other animals for food, making them a potential threat to the Show-Me State’s lucrative sportfishing industry,” said Banek. “Their habit of attaching themselves to any solid object dooms native mussels, which can be smothered by dense encrustations of the invaders. Some lakes and streams have experienced ecological changes that have altered entire aquatic communities.”

He added that heavy zebra mussel infestations can weigh down docks, buoys and other marine equipment.

“Infestations on boat hulls increase water drag, leading to higher fuel and maintenance costs,” he explained. “They can clog marine engines’ cooling systems, creating a danger of damage due to overheating. Zebra mussels also drive up utility bills by clogging water intakes of public and private utilities. Treatment of heavy infestations at public and private utilities can cost millions of dollars.”

He added that boaters play a vital role in preventing the spread of zebra mussels and three simple things to remember are, “Clean. Drain. Dry.”

• Clean – Remove all plants, animals and mud, and thoroughly wash everything, especially live wells, crevices and other hidden areas. Wash boat bilges, trailers, motor drive units and live wells with hot water at least 104 degrees. Most commercial car washers meet this standard.
• Drain – Eliminate all water before leaving the area, including live wells, bilge and engine cooling water.
• Dry – Allow boats and other equipment to dry in the sun at least five days before launching in other waters.
MDC, Clay County Parks, the City and the USACE are coordinating efforts to destroy any zebra mussels remaining in the marina cove using an algaecide. This is a chemical treatment commonly used to kill algae. It contains copper, which is toxic to zebra mussels.

Ryan explained that the algaecide should not cause any extensive damage to other aquatic species. He added that a treatment date has not yet been determined, but estimates it occurring in early August.

“We do not expect a significant fish kill as a result of the treatment,” explained Ryan. He added that the county parks department, which operates the marina, will collect and dispose of any dead fish that may appear.

He added that, as a precaution, MDC staff will patrol the cove with a “shocker” boat to electrically stun and remove larger game fish before the chemical application.

Banek noted that the MDC will use zebra mussels taken from Lake of the Ozarks to measure the effectiveness of the chemical treatment. The mussels will be placed in fish tanks on shore and treated lake water will be added.

Marvin Boyer of the USACE, which owns the lake, said that there would be no smell associated with the treatment, but there may be a brief blue tint to the water. He added that the manufacturer’s information about the chemicals to be used indicates there should be no adverse reactions to boaters, skiers or swimmers, such as eye or skin irritation. The chemicals will not harm boats or equipment.

The City of Smithville Water Department is involved in the effort and stated that drinking water will not be affected by the algaecide used to treat the infestation.

For more information on zebra mussels and other invasive species, visit MDC |.

- Joe Jerek –


Joe Jerek
News Services Coordinator
Missouri Department of Conservation
[email protected]
573-522-4115 x3362

[beagle man]

an old saying comes to mind,, kill one to save many, I hope y'all don't have a big fish kill over this, good luck

[LeeinMo]

I thought this was brought up last week??? Lee

[keeferfish]

I saw something on it and about the tv interview. I’m more concerned with the spraying of chemicals in our waters!!!

[brushman]

hopefully if it is sprayed at the marina they will open the gates and pull the stuff out of the lake without killing too many fish.

[TnRidge]

I asked about Zebra Mussels on the MDC Facebook page and they replied saying that the chemicals were harmless to fish and humans.
http://www.facebook.com/MDCOnline

[cook]

Guess its copper that kill the zebras-===================maybe start a wishing well and have everyone toss in pennies(I know,they are zinc now)

[Krazy]

I asked about Zebra Mussels on the MDC Facebook page and they replied saying that the chemicals were harmless to fish and humans.
Missouri Dept. of Conservation | Facebook

And somewhere in there they probably posted something like....."We're from the government, we're here to help". Lmao:D

Hey keefer dude....try to keep up.....did you struggle keeping up with current events in school also?:p

[keeferfish]

Well I guess I need to apologize to Lee and Krazy for being the first person on crappie.com to ever post something twice. I did a little research and found through the search this item has been discussed before and therefore should never be talked about or posted again. Oh by the way the title of the thread was Smithville Fishing and was posted while I was on vacation. I’ll try to limit my posts from now on.

Just jokin ya know!

[got crappie]

Damn Bill you have a birth D and turn mean , And by the way your the only one that poster the Do's and donts so THANKS PS I think theres a reason they call him KRAZY