RANCHING Wildlife
Clean, Drain and Dry The rule requires
persons leaving or
approaching public water to drain all water from their
vessels and on-board receptacles.
Zebra Mussel Rules Expanded Statewide “Now that they are in Lake Belton, the Highland
T
HE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION HAS AP- proved a new regulation requiring that all boats operating on public fresh water anywhere in
Texas be drained before leaving or approaching a lake or river to help combat the further spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species. The rapidly reproducing mussels, originally from
Eurasia, can have a serious economic, environmental and recreational impact on Texas reservoirs. Zebra mussels can clog public-water intake pipes,
harm boats and motors left in infested waters by cov- ering boat hulls, blocking water-cooling systems, an- noying lake property owners by completely covering anything left underwater and make water recreation hazardous because of their sharp edges. With the destructive invasive species having spread
to Lake Belton, conservation offi cials and water-supply agencies are very concerned that zebra mussels could expand their range throughout the state, including Lake Travis and the other Highland Lakes. “Zebra mussels have been moving steadily deeper
into Texas since they were fi rst found in Lake Texoma in 2009,” says Brian Van Zee, the Texas Parks and Wild- life Department’s (TPWD) Inland Fisheries Division regional director who has spearheaded the agency’s response to zebra mussels in Texas.
56 The Cattleman July 2014
Lakes are in the crosshairs, as are many of the public waters in Central Texas.” David Cowan, Lower Colorado River Authority
(LCRA) senior water quality coordinator, says the LCRA routinely monitors the Highland Lakes. “So far we haven’t seen any evidence of zebra mus-
sels,” Cowan says. “We will continue working closely with Texas Parks and Wildlife in urging the public to help us keep zebra mussels out of the Highland Lakes. The mussels not only are a nuisance, but they could pose serious operational problems for the dams, water intake structures and the general health of the lakes.” The new measure took effect July 1, and TPWD
urges all boaters to begin the preventative practice immediately since microscopic larvae (called veligers) hiding in your boat can travel to another water body and cause a new zebra mussel infestation. The rule requires persons leaving or approaching
public water to drain all water from their vessels and on-board receptacles. This applies to all types and sizes of boats whether
powered or not, personal watercraft, sailboats, kayaks/ canoes, or any other vessel used on public waters. “The way to comply with this requirement is simple,” Van Zee says. “All you have to do is clean, drain and dry
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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