U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Eighth Western Rivers Region Flotilla 16-2, Serving Oklahoma's Green Country

The Zebra Mussel Threat in Oklahoma There is a serious threat to your enjoyment of Oklahoma lakes and rivers from these little dime-sized critters.  Due to their prolific reproductive rate and few natural predators, they can populate a body of water in a  few years. They attach to anything including boat hulls, outdrives, propellers and engine intakes.  In January 2005, they were verified in Grand Lake.  They had previously been verified in the Arkansas-Verdigris River (including Kerr Reservoir) and Lake Oolagah.  When the proliferate in a body of water, boaters may no longer able to leave boats in the water unless they are on a lift -- and even then the lift will be adversely affected.  They also clog municipal water intake pipes, at great expense to citites which suffer from them.

Zebra Mussels are spread from lake to lake by active boaters.  Their microscopic larvae get into bilges, engine cooling systems and anywhere water is trapped on your boat.  Move your boat from an affected lake to an unaffected lake  with larvae aboard and you may unknowingly contaminate the lake. The infestation of Zebra Mussels has been relentless and widespread across the United States.

Authorities ask all boaters to take some time to be vigilant.  Inspect the boat and trailer upon leaving the water.  Scrape off any mussels found.  Do not return them to the water.  Drain the bilge waer, live wells and bait buckets.  If  possible, dry the boat and trailer for at least a week before entering another waterway.             For more information

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