(Wahpeton)– Officials are issuing a renewed warning over the dangers invasive aquatic species pose to the Iowa Great Lakes.
This after a volunteer inspector recently discovered a fragment of a zebra mussell attached to the hull of a boat that was about to be launched into Emmerson Bay of West Lake Okoboji. The inspector removed the fragment prior to the boat being launched.
Jeff Morrison of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says it’s just one more reminder to be vigilant if you’re going to be launching a boat in the Iowa Great Lakes. He says boats need to be completely cleaned after they’ve been taken out of the water, and before they’re put back in.
Live wells also need to be checked and thoroughly disinfected.
Zebra mussells are prolific reproducers and can eventually degrade water quality in lakes. They also can plug water intakes, and their extremely sharp shells can cut the feet of swimmers.
Zebra mussells are as close to the Iowa Great Lakes as Clear Lake.
