Stop invasive zebra mussels in their tracks: Clean, Drain and Dry

Zebra mussels have caused headaches and created problems on several Texas waterways, including at Lake Waco, Lake Belton and Stillhouse Hollow Lake in the Brazos River basin. The best way to combat this invasive species is by stopping their spread, and the Clean, Drain and Dry program is the first line of defense in helping to limit the spread of zebra mussels.

What’s so bad about zebra mussels? Since they are not native to Texas, Zebra mussels harm the environment in multiple ways. First and most importantly, in Texas Zebra mussels have few natural enemies, so they grow and multiply unchecked. Zebra mussels attach themselves to any solid surface, damaging boat hulls and clogging the inside of intake pipes that draw water from reservoirs to deliver to our cities. Since they also attach to a lake’s rocky bottom, their sharp shells can be a hazard to those who want to enjoy water recreation.

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Zebra mussels also pose a threat to fish because they remove plankton from the food chain. The decrease in vast quantities of plankton upsets the ecological balance of a body of water, reducing the amount of native fish in an area according to TPWD. They also help to increase invasive plant species by affecting water clarity and harm native species of mussels by smothering them.

The economic impact from zebra mussels can cost taxpayers millions of dollars, according to the Texas Invasives website, maintained by TPWD. By clogging water intake lines, zebra mussels not only threaten municipal water supplies but can also have a negative impact on agriculture and power generation.

Zebra mussels are spread from one body of water to another when they attach themselves to a watercraft and are not removed before that watercraft visits another body of water. They can survive out of water for more than a week, and sometimes up to a month, the TPWD reports.

The TPWD enforces laws that are designed to protect Texas lakes from zebra mussels, but in order for the program to be successful, everyone must comply with these regulations.

As of early 2017, the TPWD reports that nine Texas lakes in three different river basins (the Brazos, Red and Trinity) are infested, and the zebra mussels have also been detected in five other Texas lakes.

The mussels start as microscopic larvae invisible to the naked eye. That’s why it’s crucial to clean, drain and dry your boat every time you take it on the water. It’s also the law. Those who do not to comply face fines of up to $500.

How can zebra mussels be eliminated?

“Eradication of zebra mussels is virtually impossible,” the TPWD notes, adding that prevention is the best course of action. That is why the Clean, Drain and Dry campaign is vital to addressing this problem.

Clean

TPWD notes that all plants, animals, and mud must be removed from your boat and trailer and that they must be completely washed. One method to help ensure complete coverage is to take your boat to a car wash and use high-pressure nozzles there to get to those hard to reach and hidden areas. The TPWD also notes that boats that are stored on waters known to be invested with zebra mussels may need to be professionally cleaned.

Drain

Be sure to pull the plug and drain all water before leaving the including all live wells, bilges, bait buckets, ballast and engine cooling water, in accordance with TPWD regulations.

Dry

Make sure you allow enough time for your boat to totally dry before you launch in other waters. It may take longer than you think for this to occur. TPWD recommends using a drying calculator to help you make sure you are complying with the recommended drying time.

The drying calculator recommended by the TPWD can be found by clicking here. A video showing the Clean, Drain and Dry process is available here. More information about zebra mussels can be found here.