The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has confirmed the presence of invasive zebra mussels in Pomona Reservoir in Osage County. Twenty-three Kansas lakes now have confirmed zebra mussel populations. KMUW's Aileen LeBlanc reports
The recent discovery represents a new spread of the troublesome mussels which have been clogging up systems in lakes and rivers. They were first identified in Kansas in 2003.
The dime-sized mussels produce huge populations in short periods of time.
Zebra mussels can attach to boat hulls, propellers - almost anything that's in the water -- soon they cling to pipes, and water intake structures clogging and then and preventing
water treatment and electrical generating plants from drawing water.
In 2012 the mussels caused a water shortage in both Council Grove and Osage City.
Officials urge lake users to turn on top precaution to stop the spread by cleaning and drying boats and equipment - using bait only from the same lake and not moving fish from one place to another.
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OTHER PRECAUTIONS FROM WILDLIFE PARKS &RECREATION and TOURISM:
Zebra mussels are just one of the non-native aquatic species that threaten our waters and native wildlife. After using any body of water, people must remember to follow regulations and precautions that will prevent their spread:
· Clean, drain and dry boats and equipment between uses
· Use wild-caught bait only in the lake or pool where it was caught
· Do not move live fish from waters infested with zebra mussels or other aquatic nuisance species
· Drain livewells and bilges and remove drain plugs from all vessels prior to transport from any Kansas water on a public highway.
For more information about aquatic nuisance species in Kansas, report a possible ANS, or see a list of ANS-designated waters, visit ProtectKSWaters.org.
For information about Pomona Reservoir and USACE campgrounds, visit http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/DistrictLakes/PomonaLake.aspx