The Rio Grande valley along the Texas-Mexico border near Del Rio has been designated as “infested” by aggressive zebra mussels, which indicates that there is a stable, reproducing population in the lake.
In a water test taken by the National Park Service ( NPS) at Amistad National Recreation Area in June 2022, horse clam larvae were first discovered in the tank. Four more places were analyzed later in 2023 to identify additional larvae.
The NPS conducted additional searches for moved juvenile and adult mussels using beach searches, arrangement samplers, and recognition dogs. These zebra mussels of different sizes were not discovered in 2022 or 2023 despite extensive queries.
Unfortunately, the Mexican section of the International Boundary and Water Commission ( IBWC), which runs the Amistad dam, and the NPS discovered settled zebra mussels at several locations within the lake in late February. The discovery of the clams was made easier by record-low water levels, which exposed recently submerged stones.
Zebra oysters have infested 32 water systems and have been found on four more since they were first discovered in Texas in 2009 in Lake Texoma on the Oklahoma border, according to Monica McGarrity, TPWD senior scientist for aquatic invasive species. ” It is disheartening that they have now spread all the way to our southern border, but many Texas lakes remain uninfested, underscoring the importance of boaters doing their part to clean, discharge, and clean their boats whenever they leave any river, every time,” said one boater.
In 2021 and 2022 caterpillars of aggressive gallery mussels, a near relative of the camel clam, were detected in the river. It was the state of Texas’s first identifier mussels to be discovered, and the public was immediately informed of the presence of aggressive mussels in the lake. Since May 2022, quagga mussels have n’t been identified, and their condition is still unknown. Qugga mussels are still present in the river, but TPWD and NPS continue to monitor it.
Boats have a crucial role in preventing horse oysters from spreading to fresh lakes because they are most frequently transported on or in canoes. Zebra mussels can live for days in the ocean, frequently hiding in crevices where they might not be noticed. They attach to boats and anything left in the ocean, including anchors, with help from other people. Their microscopic eggs may be accidentally transported in leftover water in boats because they are free-floating and invisible to the naked eye.
Before moving from lake to lake, TPWD urges paddlers to adhere to these three simple but vital steps: wash, dry, and drain boats and gear. Eliminate flowers, mud and debris. Drain all of the boat’s and equipment’s waters. If possible, opened the compartments and allow everyone to dry totally for at least a week when you return home. In an effort to stop the spread of aggressive mussels, the NPS has set up cleansing stations around the lake.
” We need boats to support include the horse mussels by making sure that they follow this process when they leave Lake Amistad,” said Chris Ryan, Amistad National Recreation Area chief.
A boat that has been stored in Lake Amistad or additional lakes with intrusive mussels may now be carrying these same types ‘ eggs, which poses a significant risk of moving these invasive species to a new lake. Before moving boats stored in the water at Lake Amistad for a week or more, visit the Amistad National Recreation Area at (830 ) 775- 7492 for guidance on evaluation and purification. Additionally, TPWD can be reached for guidance at ( 512 ) 389- 4848 or aquaticInvasives@tpwd.texas. gov.
In addition to the harm that invasive species can do to underwater ecosystems, water infrastructure, and the lakeside outdoor experience, boaters can also face legal issues as a result of these species ‘ transportation. The Texas law prohibits the transportation of prohibited aquatic invasive species, and each violation is punishable by a fine of up to$ 500. Boaters are required to clear all waters from their boat and crew receptacles, including fish buckets, before leaving or approaching a figure of fresh water, according to the law. Before leaving a lake, they must also remove any restrictive plants from the trailer and boat.
Explore the TPWD YouTube channel for a brief instructional video for more information on how to effectively clear, drain, and dried boats and equipment. Visit tpwd to learn more about horse oysters and other invasive varieties in Texas. tx. gov/StopInvasives. To learn more about the Amistad National Recreation Area invasive species program, visit https ://www.nps.gov/amis/learn/nature/aquatic-invasive-species .html.
Anyone who spots invasive species on boats, trailers, or other moving equipment can report it to TPWD at ( 512 ) 389- 4848. TPWD and partners monitor for them in Texas lakes. By emailing photos and location information to aquaticinvasives@tpwd.texas, anyone who finds invasive species like zebra mussels in lakes where they have n’t been previously can identify new introductions. gov.
