Zebra Mussels

[condor13090]

It's been a while since I swam in the lakes and rivers here in New York State...and since the invasion of the Zebra Mussel. These things are everywhere!
While diving on Saturday the water was warm so I decided not to wear my gloves and as I climbed out onto the rocks I felt a sharp pain to my finger. It felt like I sliced it open on a piece of glass. As the blood poured out I tried to locate what caused such a deep cut...Glass??? fish hook??? nope Zebra Mussels. Two slices down to the bone like a razor did it.
I can imagine how many swimmers without foot protection end up with nasty cuts on their feet...

[Bcollins111900]

only nice part about the zebra mussels is they really help the water clarity but thats about it. I am from the east side of Lake Erie originally and they are all over the place.

[Glove]

I have seen Zebra Mussels in a quarry called Gilboa (located in Gilboa Ohio). In the past 6 years I have noticed these guys are getting transported to our local quarry here in Indiana. I think its possible they were transported here from Ohio in a BC bladder. In about 3 years a 5 acre quarry has became totally populated with zebra mussels on every over-hanging surface. Seems they dont like to be too deep in our quarry.

They do filter the water. I heard one of those little guys can filter an amazing amout of water per day.
They are very sharp if you break them (grabbing and stepping on them).
They can cause trouble by forming colonies on boats and the engine cooling systems as well as docks and ladders for swimmers.

I personally do not know of anyone doing a study to see what niche these things are filling here in the states, but I am sure they do take away something from the natural food chain. As I stated, Ohio has a pretty large quarry that is only used for diving. This place is infested with Zebra Mussels, but the populations of the other aquatic life does not seem to be suffering. In our quarry here in Indiana, I can see no improvement in visibility, yet... but they have only just started to take off.
There are several locations that have asked our dive group to refrain from diving in thier ponds, lakes and quarries due to the fear of spreading the mussels even more.

It will be interesting to see how things change from the introduction of the Zebra Mussel. Maybe positive, maybe negative....

[luminary]

There is a ton of information on Zebra Mussels and their ecological and economical impact. They most definitely are an invasive species. They bring a few benefits to the areas that they proliferate in (increased food source for certain fish and birds, increased water clarity which promotes plant growth). They also bring some significant negatives. They have already outgrown several native mussel and clam species. By filtering the plankton from the water they have caused a signficant decline in food source for many species and a noted decline in those species' populations has been noted. They also cause problems in municipalities by clogging water inlets and outlets.

More information can be found here (http://www.invasivespecies.gov/profiles/zebramussel.shtml).

Some direct information on the impact in the great lakes is here (http://www.glsc.usgs.gov/_files/factsheets/2000-6%20Zebra%20Mussels.pdf).

[Bcollins111900]

Glove you ought to check out a town about 30 mins south of Toledo called Gibsonburg. Use to be the Lime Capital of the world and has two really nicw quarrys to dive, both under ground spring fed. You have White Star park which had spots of 60' depth and size wise is a good 400yards by 400 yards, alot of rock structure, train, old quarry equipment, local dive shop 5 mins away, really clear water, you can see 30ft down to the bottom. They stock it with trout. The other quarry is Eagle Lake. Huge quarry, every bit of 1/4" mile long and 300 yards wide. Have been told there is a 100' spot in there but I know it has some 80' spots for sure. Both places are nice and there is campgrounds at both. They are maybe 5 mins from each other. No Zebra Mussels either!