AUSTIN, Texas – Less than two weeks after Texas Parks and Wildlife officials announced a zebra mussel infestation in Canyon Lake, the group announced the invasive species spread to Lake Travis.
A local marina staffer noticed a single zebra mussel attached to the motor of a moored boat on the lake on June 22, prompting further investigation from biologists. Experts found that the mussels were attached to other nearby boats and other parts of the marina, a release from TPWD said.
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Biologists found mussels of different sizes, further confirming that the lake is infested with an "established, reproducing population."
Zebra mussels are often spread by boaters who take their boats out on waters with infestations and do not properly clean, drain and dry their boats and gear after their visit, according to the Texas Invasive website.
“Public awareness goes a long way in helping with the effort to prevent zebra mussels from spreading,” Brian Van Zee, Inland Fisheries director, 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.”
Read more: Zebra mussels discovered in Canyon Lake
The infestation has several implications for the Texas lake and its visitors. Zebra mussels can cover shorelines and litter beaches with sharp shells, clog public water intakes and damage boats and motors left in infested waters, a release said.
The invasive species reproduces rapidly. While biologists say there is an "inevitable risk" of the species traveling downstream to Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake, their biggest concern is boaters who fail to clean, drain and dry their boats and gear after visiting infected lakes.
“Downstream dispersal depends on the number of larvae going downstream, the conditions they experience and the timing,” Monica McGarrity, TPWD's aquatic invasive species team lead, said. “But a boat can take a ready-made colony to another lake at any time – so preventing the spread within these newly infested basins is still really important. The longer we can stave off new infestations the longer we can prevent potential recreational impacts or costly impacts to infrastructure.”
TPWD has several steps in place to prevent the spread of zebra mussels, including fines for boaters who fail to drain their boats. More information on those requirements and fines can be read here.
Zebra mussels were first discovered in 2009. Since then, 11 Texas lakes in five river basins, including Lake Travis, have been infested.
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