I went up to Lake Del Valle to scope out the water and get some literature about the Zebra/Quagga Mussel invasion and how they are combating it here locally.

Some things to consider~

1. Not only will there be large crowds Memorial Day Weekend, but expect a longer wait getting into the water if you bring any water craft including float tubes. Inspections are thorough and efficient. Please be patient! 

2. Fees for boat launch are $4.00 per day per trailered; $2.00 per day car-top or inflatable.

3. Non-refundable inspection fees~ $6.00 for motorized vessels; $3.00 for car-top or inflatables. Float tubes are free! (another reason to fly fish!)

4. Vessels must be CLEAN and DRY. A 5 day waiting period for those who don’t pass inspection. Follow these simple steps Clean, Drain, Dry!  Let’s Zap the Zebra!       

Please be informed about how damaging these Mussels Can be and what we can do to help resolve this important issue. Estimates are around 100 billion dollars annually because of the effects of all non-native species of both terrestrial and aquatic animals. The US Coast Guard estimates around 5 billion dollars annually for Zebra mussels alone. An adult female Zebra mussel can produce 1,000,000 million eggs in her lifetime!

Harmful effects of the mussels~ They clog pumps and pipelines and water intakes. They are believed to be responsible for the death of tens of thousands of waterfowl in the Great Lakes due to the spread of Avian Botulism. They have a damaging effect upon the food chain by reducing phytoplankton which larval and juvenile fish feed.

Here’s a little good news~ They do act as a filter removing pollutants.

Natural predators~ Crayfish, water foul and muskrats. Crayfish could have a significant impact on densities of 1-5 mm long Zebra mussels. An adult crayfish consumes an average of 105 mussels per day and up to 6,000 per season!

Hopefully this information will stir your hearts and cause you to be involved in our water’s conservation programs locally! Tight lines! PM