The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) recently announced the presence of zebra mussels, an invasive species, in the Pactola Reservoir in southwestern South Dakota.
The BOR urged the public in a July 15 press release to be vigilant when inspecting watercraft or any item that comes into contact with the water.
Boat owners should wash their boats with warm, soapy water, according to the United States Geological Survey. They should also avoid transporting water from live wells and bait buckets between water bodies. The USGS encourages them to empty items containing water over land when possible and discard leftover bait in the trash.
“Reclamation’s infrastructure provides benefits including flood control, domestic water supplies, irrigation, recreation, and more,” said Scott Hettinger, BOR deputy Dakotas area manager. “It is imperative for Reclamation and our partners to protect our lakes and rivers from the negative effects and expenses caused by invasive species.”
The zebra mussel is an invasive species that can cause serious problems for water facility infrastructure and ecological systems it inhabits, the release stated.
Throughout the country, invasive mussel species cause an estimated $1 billion in damages to water infrastructure every year, according to the USGS. Mussels may also negatively impact public recreation, from shell fragments contaminating swim beaches to increased costs for boaters to inspect and decontaminate watercraft, as well as affecting fish populations.
The Zebra mussel is an invasive, fingernail-sized mollusk native to Eurasia's freshwaters, according to the USGS. The species has been found in the Great Lakes region, Texas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California.
