Flooding expected to spread zebra mussels
The flooding in North Texas may result in a zebra mussel infestation spreading more quickly than previously anticipated.
The much-needed rain may have an unpleasant side effect for Dallas area residents, in that it might very well have assisted an invasive species, the zebra mussel, in spreading to even more waterways. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife inland fisheries regional director, Brian Van Zee, now is when zebra mussels reproduce, and the recent flooding will provide them a chance to expand their territory.
Zebra mussels are a small species of fresh water mussels that were first discovered in southern Russian in the late 1700s. In many parts of the world they have crowded out other larger mussels consumed by humans and otherwise caused problems in waterways. One of the reasons Zebra mussels have become such a problem is that as adults they can survive up to seven days outside of water.
Zebra mussels were already a problem in Lewisville Lake and Lake Lavon and are expected to impact Lake Livingston and Lake Ray Hubbard respectively due to flooding in the area. To the west, Texas Parks and Wildlife fisheries will be monitoring Lake Worth and Eagle Mountain Lake to see if zebra mussels have used the flood as a chance to migrate from Lake Bridgeport.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department relies on flyer printing services to help them keep the public informed.
The much-needed rain may have an unpleasant side effect for Dallas area residents, in that it might very well have assisted an invasive species, the zebra mussel, in spreading to even more waterways. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife inland fisheries regional director, Brian Van Zee, now is when zebra mussels reproduce, and the recent flooding will provide them a chance to expand their territory.
Zebra mussels are a small species of fresh water mussels that were first discovered in southern Russian in the late 1700s. In many parts of the world they have crowded out other larger mussels consumed by humans and otherwise caused problems in waterways. One of the reasons Zebra mussels have become such a problem is that as adults they can survive up to seven days outside of water.
Zebra mussels were already a problem in Lewisville Lake and Lake Lavon and are expected to impact Lake Livingston and Lake Ray Hubbard respectively due to flooding in the area. To the west, Texas Parks and Wildlife fisheries will be monitoring Lake Worth and Eagle Mountain Lake to see if zebra mussels have used the flood as a chance to migrate from Lake Bridgeport.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department relies on flyer printing services to help them keep the public informed.