Let’s Use Our Muscle Against the Invasive Mussel

Nothing beats the heat during the sweltering summer than jumping in your boat at your favorite Texas lake. Whether you are swimming, skiing, or throwing a line, Texas freshwater lakes offer a great way to stay cool and have fun. However, there are some unfriendly neighbors setting up shop in many of our cherished lakes—and they are hitching a free ride on Texan’s boats and equipment!

Zebra mussels are non-native shellfish that love to attach to the bottom of boats, concrete dams, and metal pipes that control water supplies, and they can wreak havoc on ecosystems and native species. Zebra mussels are small, usually no more than 1 ½ inches, but they grow in large clusters that can clog water intake pipes, damage boat hulls, and even sink buoys. They may also tag along on vegetation clinging to boats, and before you know it, will hitchhike to another water source.

Unfortunately, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD), Zebra mussels are currently found in lakes and rivers in six river basins across the state—Brazos, Colorado, Guadalupe, Red, San Antonio, and Trinity rivers. Moreover, 28 lakes in Texas have been classified as fully infested with zebra mussels, meaning they have an established and reproducing population—check their website to see if your nearby lake or river is classified as infested: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/exotic/zebramusselmap.phtml

So, what can you do to make sure these and other invasive species don’t spread? TPWD suggests “Clean, Drain and Dry.” Boaters are asked to remove all plants, mud and debris from their boats, jet skis, floatation devices, trailers and gear and drain the water from boats and equipment. Make sure to high-pressure wash and rinse your boat and equipment and let dry a week between lake visits. In Texas, transporting prohibited aquatic invasive species is illegal and punishable with a fine up to $500, so after you’ve enjoyed your time on the water, follow the simple mantra of cleaning, draining, and drying all boats and equipment.

Also, be on the lookout for invasive species. If you think you have identified an infestation, report it to TPWD at 512-389-4848 or email them at aquaticinvasives@tpwd.texas.gov.

In the meantime, if you have a project that involves a watershed in Texas and need an ecological assessment, Westward has you covered. Our ecology team has extensive experience identifying and delineating Jurisdictional Waters of the US and conducting surveys for threatened and endangered native mussel species.