URGENT:
Zebra mussels found in 2 neighboring lakes
We ask that the people of Bandera and Medina counties be proactive in informing others of this problem in efforts to protect our rivers and Medina Lake from possible infestation. CLICK on the photo below for more information. Additionally, feel free to call BCRAGD at (830)-796-7260.
Zebra Mussels Found in Lake Travis
(as of June 22, 2017)
“Zebra mussels have been positively identified for the first time in Lake Travis in the Colorado River Basin in Central Texas, just weeks after biologists confirmed the aquatic invasive species had also spread to the Guadalupe River Basin. On-site, biologists found the mussels attached to other nearby boats and on submerged marina infrastructure. Additionally, they found several size classes of adult and juvenile mussels at two different sites in the lake, indicating the lake is infested with an established, reproducing population.”
“Public awareness goes a long way in helping with the effort to prevent zebra mussels from spreading,” Van Zee said. “This is a battle we cannot give up on – the cost of these infestations is large and affects so many people. We have to keep up the fight and try to inform the public as much as possible about how they can protect their lakes from invasive species.”
For a full link to view the TPWD article, visit the link below: http://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20170627a
Zebra Mussels Encroaching
Summary by Levi Sparks
Zebra mussels have been found in Canyon Lake as of June 13, 2017- only 60 miles from Medina Lake. Employees at a marina noticed zebra mussels while working on a boat and called Texas Parks & Wildlife Division to report the finding. This is the farthest south that zebra mussels have been verified, putting all of the Guadalupe River Basin and all the reservoirs downstream of Canyon Lake at risk of invasion. According to TPWD Inland Fisheries regional director Brian Van Zee, “this is a textbook scenario of a zebra mussel infestation that is the result of a contaminated boat being launched in the lake”. He expressed that boaters “take ownership” of this problem through appropriate steps before moving a boat to other waters, by following the “Clean, Drain, and Dry” initiative, which can be found at the following link, http://www.texasinvasives.org/zebramussels/. We ask that the people of Bandera and Medina counties be aware of this problem and work to protect Medina Lake from possible infestation. For a full link to view the TPWD article on Canyon Lake, follow this link (http://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20170612a).