MORE SPECIES OF ZEBRA MUSSELS SHOWING UP IN MISSOURI WATERS

There's good news and bad news in the unfolding story of the zebra mussel's invasion of Missouri. The bad news is that it appears there may be several species of zebra mussels on their way to the Show-Me State. The good news is that the new species don't pose any added threat. The zebra mussels already in Missouri waters can live just about anywhere in the state.

In fact, the garden-variety zebra mussel seems capable of living anywhere from Canada to Central America, according to Al Buchanan, environmental services biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Fisheries Research Center at Columbia.

"There may be two or three or even more species of zebra mussel on their way to Missouri via the Great Lakes system," said Buchanan. "These new species seem to be able to survive in a wider range of water temperatures. Some may even be adapted to brackish water, but it doesn't make much difference for Missouri. The species of zebra mussel we have in the Mississippi River is capable of surviving anywhere in our state."

A local office of the Missouri Department of Conservation is keeping watch for zebra mussels in the Cape Girardeau area.

"We have eight zebra mussel monitors," said Robert Hrabik, a fisheries biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation at a special field office in Cape Girardeau. "These are located near barge fleeting areas. To date we have no documented cases of the zebra mussels in the Cape Girardeau area."

The zebra mussel, native to eastern Europe, has almost "overrun the Great Lakes," said Hrabik. "They have been found in the Illinois River, and have shown up in some areas along the Mississippi River."

Zebra mussels can create tremendous problems, noted Hrabik. "They attach to anything solid, including water intakes of power generating plants and municipal water systems. They can also smother native fresh-water mussels and may affect other wildlife adversely."

The zebra mussels are believed to have entered the Mississippi River from the Illinois River. The age of the first specimens found in the Mississippi last fall led biologists to believe the species had been in the river a year or so. More recent discoveries of older specimens pushes back the date of their arrival to two years ago.

River currents will distribute the mussel downstream, while boats and other carriers will enable it to travel upstream. No specimens have been found in the Missouri River or other interior waters of Missouri.

Buchanan said it may be possible to delay the spread of the mussel, however. This would postpone problems the mussel causes and give researchers time to look for solutions. MDC has enlisted the help of volunteer Stream Teams statewide to monitor the spread of the mussel. It also is developing informational brochures to help Missourians recognize the zebra mussel and avoid spreading it unintentionally.

Zebra mussels can smother native fresh-water mussels and may affect other wildlife adversely, too. Add the cost of damage to boats, motors, docks and other marine equipment, and you have a very expensive scenario.

You can help prevent the spread of zebra mussels in several ways. When moving a boat from one body of water to another, particularly from the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, empty live wells and other water from your boat. Allow it to dry in the sun for several days before moving to the body water.

If you want to transfer the boat to another lake or stream immediately, flush live wells, pumping systems, bilges and engine cooling systems thoroughly with hot tap water (135-140 degrees Fahrenheit). Or use a solution of one-half cup of salt per gallon of hot water. Follow with a flush of cold tap water to prevent corrosion.

Clean the exterior of your boat and trailer, anchors and anchor ropes, bait buckets and other equipment with hot, high-pressure water jets at a car wash.

Don't transfer bait with water from one lake or stream to another. Routinely inspect boat parts exposed to infested waters. A grainy feel on the surface of unpainted parts could indicate the early stage of zebra mussel infestation. Remove adult mussels found, and dispose of them in the trash. Zebra mussels can survive out of water for several days.