Shawnee City Manager Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer said the city is initiating an education campaign in response to the discovery of zebra mussels in Shawnee Twin Lakes.
The city manager emphasized, “The Twin Lakes are a primary water source for the City of Shawnee.
The water system infrastructure will continue to be monitored and additional focus will be given to the intake systems in order to minimize any potential damage or blockages by zebra mussels.”
She added, “The City of Shawnee will also continue to ensure that water taken from Twin Lakes is treated in compliance with all regulations of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality to provide the community with safe drinking water.”
Weckmueller-Behringer pointed out, “Although the zebra mussels cannot be eradicated, the campaign will be to inform all lake users of the importance of preventing the spread of the invasive mussel.”
She said the City of Shawnee’s education campaign will include:
Informational signage at various boat entry locations to Twin Lakes.
Notification to all permit holders for boats and recreational activity at Twin Lakes.
Utilization of newspapers and social media platforms.
The discovery of zebra mussels in Shawnee Twin Lakes is for the first time, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Department said recently, along with Ardmore City Lake in southern Oklahoma.
Fisheries Biologist Katie Schrag, aquatic nuisance species coordinator for the Wildlife Department, said once these invasive mussels are present, there is no feasible way to eliminate them. The best strategy is to prevent them from spreading, she said.
Schrag explained they are typically found attached to surfaces, objects or other mussels.
She said zebra mussels affect ecosystems that they invade by clogging water intakes and pipes, costing taxpayers millions of dollars.
They also damage boat engines, threaten native mussels, fish and wildlife, consuming available food, Schrag said.
She said ODWC’s Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) program has confirmed invasive zebra mussels in 24 different water bodies throughout Oklahoma, including Kaw, Sooner, Hefner, Keystone, Robert S. Kerr, Grand, Skiatook, Eufaula, Oologah, Claremore, Greenleaf and Texoma lakes, as well as in the lower Canadian, Cimarron, Arkansas, Verdigris, Washita and North Canadian rivers.
She warned that in only two or three years from first arriving, zebra mussels can significantly populate a body of water. The zebra mussel is a small mussel named for the striped pattern of its shell.
Schrag said cooperation from boaters and other people using infested waters is vital in slowing or stopping the spread of zebra mussels. Using the “Clean, Drain, Dry” procedure is highly encouraged.
The ODWC recommends the following actions be taken by lake users to reduce the spread of zebra mussels:
Drain the bilge water, live wells and bait buckets before leaving.
Inspect the boat and trailer immediately upon leaving the water.
Scrape off any zebra mussels or aquatic vegetation found.
Do not return them to the water.
If possible, dry the boat and trailer for at least a week before entering another waterway.
Wash boat parts and accessories that contact the water using hot water (at least 140 degrees F.), or spray with high pressure water.