Boating season will soon begin, and boaters should be especially careful this year to avoid transporting nonindigenous species, according to Pat Charlebois, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant biological resources specialist. . For the first time, zebra mussels have been reported from an Illinois inland lake.

"Lincoln Lake in Grundy County is now infested with zebra mussels," Charlebois said. "Two connecting lakes, Goose and Raccoon, probably are also infested. Chances are now greater that zebra mussels will be spread to other Illinois lakes by lake-to-lake boat traffic."

Zebra mussels are rapidly moving out of the Great Lakes, where they have created significant problems for more than a decade, into inland waterways. Problems associated with zebra mussels include clogged water intake lines, unpleasant taste and odor of drinking water, and increased algal blooms. Damage can occur to boat engines if cooling systems become clogged. The tiny mollusks attach themselves to boats and fishing equipment, and their free-swimming young can live in standing water found in bait buckets and engine cooling systems, quickly spreading to infest other lakes.

Zebra mussels were transported from Europe in ballast water of ships and were found in the Great Lakes in 1988. In one five-year period, Great Lakes industries and municipal water suppliers spent an estimated $120 million in clean-up costs, according to Charlebois.

She said, "Although effects on native fish and clams may not be seen for several years, zebra mussels will rapidly increase water clarity in inland lakes by filtering out suspended particles in the water. These particles are microscopic plants and animals, which form the base of the food chain."

Boaters can help slow the spread of zebra mussels by following a few simple steps.

Before leaving the boat launch:

• Inspect boats, trailers and boating equipment and remove any visible plants or animals.
• Drain, on land, all water from the motor, livewell, bilge and transom wells.
• Empty bait buckets on land. Never release live bait into a waterway or transfer aquatic animals between waterways.
• After leaving the boat launch:
• Wash boats, tackle, downriggers, trailers and other boating equipment to kill any exotic species not visible at the launch. Use tap with at least 104 degrees F or a high pressure sprayer.
• As an alternative, dry equipment for at least five days. Some exotics can survive for long periods out of water.  Not all harmful species are visible. This task may be done on the way home or after arrival.

Learn to identify the organisms and which waterways are infested. Report any new infestations to Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant or the state department of natural resources.

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is funding research and outreach to help prevent further spread of zebra mussels and other nonindigenous species. Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is a co-sponsor of the Southern Region Zebra Mussel Conference April 20-22, 1998, in Chattanooga, Tenn. For more information, contact Pat Charlebois at 847 872-0140 or charlebo@illinois.edu

Irene Miles
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
376 NSRC
1101 W. Peabody Dr.
Urbana, Il 61801
Phone:  217-333-8055
Fax:  217-333-8046
miles@illinois.edu