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Clearwater SWCD
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Aquatic Invasive Species

What are Aquatic Invasive Species? (AIS)

Aquatic  Invasive Species (AIS) are water dwelling plants, animals, or insects  that are non-native and cause damage to our lakes, or bring harm to  humans and our native species. Invasive species generally refer to aggressive non-native species, that have the potential to alter  environmental habitats.


Protecting our waters is like protecting our way of life! Threats to our water  quality should be taken as a personal threat. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) have established a foot-hold in some of our waters. Stopping their spread should be of utmost importance to anyone who loves lakes.

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Fast growing. Forms thick weed mats that choke out native vegetation and impact swimmers, boaters and fish.

Zebra Mussels

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Prolific invaders, clogging/damaging to hard surfaces like docks, boat motors. Sharp shells can cut swimmers feet.

Starry Stonewort

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Starry Stonewort

Grows dense mats at the water’s surface that out competes native aquatic plants and could also affect water salinity levels.

How does AIS spread?

The  pressure many of our lakes see from recreational users can take a toll.  As mobile as we are, (fishermen, boaters, paddle boarders, kayakers,  etc...) we hop from lake-to-lake with ease. 


Aquatic invasive species (AIS) or non-native plants, animals and sometimes fish are finding ways to spread along with our movements. The easiest mode  of transportation for AIS is unfortunately by interaction with us. 


On their own, invasive species expand territory fairly slow. With our help AIS are able to travel like jet-setters! Often they can be found attached to boat motors, (A) the watercraft itself, (B) trailers, or still floating within the live-well or bilge water. (C)

What can you do to stop the spread of AIS?

Drain everything!

Drain water from boats, motors, live-wells, even bait buckets before leaving the lake. Don't let AIS piggyback in bilge.

Clean your watercraft & trailer of all foreign matter.

Remove  plants, mud, and other debris from your watercraft and trailer. Don’t  allow any natural matter to be transported to other bodies of water.  Remember... watercraft does not just mean boats. Kayaks, canoes, paddle  boards, jet skis, etc... they all are capable of transporting AIS.

Dry it out. It’s the law!

Any dock equipment moved from one lake to another must be dried on land for  at least 21 days before it is placed in new lake. This includes docks, boat lifts and swim platforms.

Zebra Mussels Found In Lomond Lake

  

Water sample reveals zebra mussel larvae in Lomond Lake in Clearwater County


October 28, 2019


The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed zebra mussel larvae in a water sample taken from Lomond Lake, which abuts the city of Bagley in Clearwater County. Lomond becomes the first Clearwater County lake listed for zebra mussels.


Recent laboratory analysis showed 30 microscopic zebra mussel larvae, called veligers (VEL-uh-jers) in a water sample taken from the lake in August. While no adult or juvenile zebra mussels have been reported, the number of veligers indicates a reproducing population.


Lomond Lake will be added to the infested waters list for zebra mussels, so that people who harvest bait or fish commercially take necessary precautions. Other lake users should follow the same “Clean, Drain, Dispose” steps that are always legally required on all water bodies, regardless of whether they are on the infested waters list.


Lake property owners should carefully check boats and trailers, docks and lifts, and all other water-related equipment for invasive species when removing equipment for seasonal storage.

It is especially important to follow Minnesota’s law and keep docks and boat lifts out of the water for at least 21 days before putting them into another body of water.


Anyone transporting a dock or lift from a shoreline property to another location for storage or repair may need a permit, to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.


The DNR recommends these steps for lake property owners:

  • Look on the posts, wheels and underwater support bars of docks and lifts, as well as any parts of boats, pontoons and rafts that may have been submerged in water for an extended period.
  • Hire DNR-permitted lake service provider businesses to install or remove boats, docks, lifts and other water-related equipment. These businesses have attended training on Minnesota’s aquatic invasive species laws and many have experience identifying and removing invasive species.


People should contact an area DNR aquatic invasive species specialist if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species.


Whether or not a lake is listed as infested, Minnesota law requires boaters and anglers to:

  • Clean watercraft and trailers of aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species,
  • Drain all water by removing drain plugs and keeping them out during transport, and 
  • Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.


Some invasive species are small and difficult to see at the access. To remove or kill them, take one or more of the following precautions before moving to another waterbody:     

  • Spray with high-pressure water.
  • Rinse with very hot water (120 degrees for at least two minutes or 140 degrees for at least 10 seconds).
  • Dry for at least five days.


Zebra mussels can compete with native species for food and habitat, cut the feet of swimmers, reduce the performance of boat motors, and cause expensive damage to water intake pipes.


More information is available at mndnr.gov/ais.


Contact Clearwater SWCD at (218)-694-6845 or with our "contact us" page located above for any questions.  

Zebra mussel identification

Zebra mussel identification

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