GLIN==> Zebra mussels found in 30 more Michigan inland lakes

["List Manager" <glinpost@great-lakes.net>]

Posted on behalf of Barb Lehman <lehman@msue.msu.edu>

---
2/20/01

ZEBRA MUSSELS FOUND IN 30 MORE MICHIGAN INLAND LAKES

CONTACT: Carol Swinehart, 517-353-9723
Mike Klepinger, 517-353-5508
Pearl Bonnell, 517-257-3583

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- In 2000, zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) 
were found in 30 more Michigan lakes, bringing the total number of 
infested lakes to 149, according to Michigan Sea Grant.  This is a 21 
percent increase over the number of lakes confirmed as infested in 1999.
 In 2000, volunteers found the invasive species in lakes in the 
following counties:  Alcona (1), Antrim (1), Barry (1), Benzie (4), Branch 
(7), Cass (1), Genesee (2), Grand Traverse (5), Livingston (1), Manistee 
(1), Mason (2) and Oakland (4).  (A complete list of the lakes is listed 
below.)  

All of last year's reports came from lakefront property owners and 
resource managers who found adult colonies of the mussels clinging to 
boats, docks, dams, water pumps and equipment.  The majority of the 
reports came from participants in the Brick Watch program, initiated last 
year by Michigan Sea Grant, Michigan Lake and Stream Associations (ML&SA), 
and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Because Michigan has more than 10,000 inland lakes larger than 
5 acres, resource management professionals can monitor only a few lakes 
annually and collect a limited number of samples.  Brick Watch volunteers 
simply suspend an ordinary building brick from a dock with a rope and 
check periodically to see if zebra mussels have colonized the surface.   

According to Sea Grant Extension associate Mike Klepinger, citizen 
monitoring, especially for adult zebra mussels, has dramatically increased 
scientists' knowledge and understanding of how and why invading organisms 
spread once they arrive in the Great Lakes basin.  Citizen participation 
in sampling and monitoring has greatly increased the number of lakes 
surveyed and the accuracy of surveys on individual lakes, providing early 
detection of zebra mussel populations and helping prevent damage to boats, 
beaches and lake ecosystems, Klepinger said.  

Large inland lakes with public access and a high level of transient 
recreational boating activity and those in close proximity to infested 
waters are particularly vulnerable.  Zebra mussels can contaminate lakes 
when boaters and anglers unknowingly transport the clinging veligers 
(larvae) from infested waters via boats, trailers, and fishing equipment. 

Early detection allows lake managers and citizen groups to erect signs at 
boat launches and develop volunteer programs for boat inspections and 
cleanings.

Organizations and individuals interested in participating in Brick 
Watch should contact Pearl Bonnell at (517) 257-3583.  For more 
information about citizen lake monitoring and zebra mussels, visit 
<http://www.msue.msu.edu/seagrant/sgezmans.html> on the Web.  
 ML&SA is a statewide organization of more than 375 local lake and 
stream associations.  Michigan Sea Grant is a cooperative program of 
Michigan State University and the University of Michigan in Great Lakes 
and marine research, education and outreach.

#cys#

County  Lake Name

Alcona  Alcona Pond
Antrim  Clam
Barry   Payne
Benzie  Bass, Loon, Otter, Platte
Branch  Craig, Matteson, Messenger, Morrison, North, Randall, South
Cass   Birch
Genesee  Ponemah, Silver, 
Grand Traverse   Arbutus, Duck, Fife, Green, Silver 
Livingston  Rush
Manistee  Bear
Mason   Ford, Hackert
Oakland  Brendle, Crystal, Orion, Pontiac


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