DILLIGAF
01-17-2007, 06:44 AM
Quagga mussel could threaten local lakes
By ALICE POPOVICI
Tuesday, January 16, 2007 10:00 PM PST
The Daily News
LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA - Experts from federal, state, regional and local agencies had feared the spread of invasive species from the east into local lakes, but now that quagga mussels have been discovered at the Las Vegas Boat Harbor and Lake Mead marinas their efforts are focused on containing the problem.
The aquatic invaders pose an ecological and economic threat to freshwater lakes and reservoirs, obstructing pipes in raw water systems and negatively impacting wildlife, according to a press release from the National Park Service. The annual cost of treating the infected waterways is in the millions.
A diver checking anchors and cables at the Las Vegas Boat Harbor made the discovery on Jan. 6. and was alert enough to realize what it could be, said Wen Baldwin, a National Park Service volunteer who monitors the invasive species prevention program at marinas on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave.
Baldwin initially identified the animal as a zebra mussel but on closer inspection realized it was a close relative, the less common quagga mussel.
“This is a new organism that, in some parts of the United States, has reached very high densities,” said Robert McMahon, professor of biology at The University of Texas at Arlington, who officially identified the sample Baldwin overnighted him. “They both pose the same problems ... they filter algae and bacteria from the water, which diverts the algae and bacteria from the food chain.”
And they attach to the insides of pipes, clogging water systems. “They can pile up in pretty big numbers,” McMahon said.
Experts have been battling the quagga mussel for years in some parts of the country. What eventually happens is the ecosystem readjusts, but the effect the animal will have on local lakes won't be known for some time, McMahon said. “People are still studying those impacts in areas like the Great Lakes.”
According to a press release from the National Park Service, the agency is working with the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Arizona Game and Fish and Southern Nevada Water Authority to develop an immediate action plan as well as long-term monitoring strategies for this newly found problem.
“The issue with this animal in Lake Mead certainly implies a direct threat to Lake Mohave,” said Larry Riley, chief of fisheries for Arizona Game and Fish. “Certainly, the sky's not falling, but it's a day that we did not look forward to.”
But so far, the outlook is good. Divers recently inspected Cottonwood Cove and Willow Beach but did not find any sign of the invasive species, said Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Officer with the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
“So far we see no evidence of infestation on Lake Mohave and we'd like to keep it that way.”
By ALICE POPOVICI
Tuesday, January 16, 2007 10:00 PM PST
The Daily News
LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA - Experts from federal, state, regional and local agencies had feared the spread of invasive species from the east into local lakes, but now that quagga mussels have been discovered at the Las Vegas Boat Harbor and Lake Mead marinas their efforts are focused on containing the problem.
The aquatic invaders pose an ecological and economic threat to freshwater lakes and reservoirs, obstructing pipes in raw water systems and negatively impacting wildlife, according to a press release from the National Park Service. The annual cost of treating the infected waterways is in the millions.
A diver checking anchors and cables at the Las Vegas Boat Harbor made the discovery on Jan. 6. and was alert enough to realize what it could be, said Wen Baldwin, a National Park Service volunteer who monitors the invasive species prevention program at marinas on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave.
Baldwin initially identified the animal as a zebra mussel but on closer inspection realized it was a close relative, the less common quagga mussel.
“This is a new organism that, in some parts of the United States, has reached very high densities,” said Robert McMahon, professor of biology at The University of Texas at Arlington, who officially identified the sample Baldwin overnighted him. “They both pose the same problems ... they filter algae and bacteria from the water, which diverts the algae and bacteria from the food chain.”
And they attach to the insides of pipes, clogging water systems. “They can pile up in pretty big numbers,” McMahon said.
Experts have been battling the quagga mussel for years in some parts of the country. What eventually happens is the ecosystem readjusts, but the effect the animal will have on local lakes won't be known for some time, McMahon said. “People are still studying those impacts in areas like the Great Lakes.”
According to a press release from the National Park Service, the agency is working with the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Arizona Game and Fish and Southern Nevada Water Authority to develop an immediate action plan as well as long-term monitoring strategies for this newly found problem.
“The issue with this animal in Lake Mead certainly implies a direct threat to Lake Mohave,” said Larry Riley, chief of fisheries for Arizona Game and Fish. “Certainly, the sky's not falling, but it's a day that we did not look forward to.”
But so far, the outlook is good. Divers recently inspected Cottonwood Cove and Willow Beach but did not find any sign of the invasive species, said Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Officer with the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
“So far we see no evidence of infestation on Lake Mohave and we'd like to keep it that way.”