Zebra mussels found in Zorinsky lake

[Val Didrichsons]

http://journalstar.com/news/local/st...a51945caa.html



The zebra mussel, a dreaded invasive species that severely degrades public waters, has been confirmed in a southwest Omaha lake.
A 13-year-old boy recently found the mollusk on a beer can at Zorinsky Lake, Karie Decker, invasive species project coordinator for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said Monday morning.
It's the first time a zebra mussel has been found in a publicly accessible lake in Nebraska, she said. They are present in the Missouri River and were eradicated a couple of years ago from Offutt Lake, open only to personnel at Offutt Air Force Base.
Iowa, Colorado and Kansas all have infestations, so officials anticipated invasive mussels would eventually turn up in Nebraska.
The mollusks, which produce larvae that can't be seen by the naked eye, hitch rides on boats, live wells or bilge water. It's crucial that boat owners learn how to properly remove mussels before launching in an uninfected lake.
Removal techniques include washing the boat with hot water or allowing the craft to completely dry out for a minimum of five days. For more information, go to http://snr.unl.edu/invasives.
The mussels compete with young fish for plankton, which can cause fish populations to collapse. Their filter feeding also clarifies water, allowing light to penetrate deeper into water and encourage dense mats of vegetation to grow.
The mussels also clog culverts and water intake values. Their sharp shells also can ruin swimming beaches.

[Luvoldtruks]

Is it really the first time in Nebraska? That's kinda crazy.

[brian02222]

Is it really the first time in Nebraska? That's kinda crazy.

Other than the Base Lake being infested, I havent heard of them in other lakes around here... is it possible it is just an isolated incident? probably not huh?

[Luvoldtruks]

That sucks!

[spamaloap]

If they are in the Z then I wonder what other lakes have been potentially infected...I cant imagine that just one lake would have been the only casualty due to the result of an unknowing watercraft operator

[Shorty]

Crap!

Does this mean the lake will get closed to boat traffic?

[FishinForEyes]

Well, all I can say is it was to happen sooner or later. What this boils down to is either lazy fisherman not taking proper precautions or they just dont care. If they were found in the Z then its probably more than likely the case that they are in other Southeastern bodies of water in Nebraska. I'm sure in the next 5 years they are going to pop up in the Salt Valley lakes real soon and all the rennovations that have been done will be for naught.

Just like here recently there was a gentleman and his son with a cast net in a part of a lake that was marked "No Boats Allowed" and he was in there and clearly the regs state no cast netting they go and do it anyways because they feel they are above the law or the law does not pertain to them. Someone always feels they dont have to take the proper steps to insure good stewardship to prevent invasives and then those are also the ones that blame others when their fishing and resources go to hell.

After all that said, I just wish those people would learn to police themselves better and take care of what they have and understand that those regulations and laws are put in place for a reason. And for those that feel that way , need to get it thru their thick skulls that their freedoms are not being violated but to protect those freedoms so they may continue and not be lost.

Sorry for the soapbox all. I have just grown tired of the "Generation Entitlement" and seems to be growing in this Country and is only getting worse. They all expect everything but have to sacrifice nothing.

[Chuck_Tritz]

Sounds great!!! Clearer water, and more vegetation!

[shawnfish]

What do zebra mussels look like?????? Ive seen the clam looking things in there for years.

[ADV1]

Stuff like this gets me upset... I know what the bottom of Hedgfield lake looked like with whatever snails those where... Why can't people be carefull?

[whitetips]

http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/blogs/2010/11/zebras/

Daryl B.

[Outdoor_Joe_26]

That sucks! I wouldn't be surprised if they turn up in all the lakes around Omaha now. I've seen people on one lake in the morning fishing a different lake that evening.

[wettheworm]

Wouldn't have ever been found if some idiot would have not tossed his beer can in the lake.. Can they latch on and transport from wild life such as duck's and geese or only from boat's?

[nedyarb]

If they are in Z they are probably in all the local lakes. Bummer

[skeeter85]

I've seen people on one lake in the morning fishing a different lake that evening.

That's what the fisherman get for whoring around.


The up side to this is crystal clear water


...too soon?

[Chuck_Tritz]

Stuff like this gets me upset... I know what the bottom of Hedgfield lake looked like with whatever snails those where... Why can't people be carefull?

I don't think it is from people not being careful. It's people that don't know any better. Not to pick on shawnfish but look at his quote.

What do zebra mussels look like?????? Ive seen the clam looking things in there for years.

How can you stop something from spreading, if you don't know what it is.

[thedarkarcher]

[nedyarb]

The only way to stop em from spreading is to wash your boat everytime it comes out of the water. And who really thinks every boat that came out of zorinsky was washed? And how many boats went straight from Z to W?? I know mine has on a number of occassions.

[nedyarb]

Kevin, thanks for the video.....geesh. LOL

[fishman]

Tritz-Do you know what they look like? Do you check your trailer, live wells etc? Do you flush everything with hot water?