Lakes And Ponds Program
9. Inspect, clean and dry all life jackets, water skis
Prevent the
or other items that have been in the water, in-
cluding anchors, ropes, etc.
Spread of
Lakes
10. Clean and dry personal belongings, clothing, and
footwear that have come in contact with the
Zebra Mussels
water.
and Ponds
1. Inspect and clean your boat after removing it
11. Wash, dry, and brush pets that have been in the
from the water and away from the launch ramp.
water.
Program
2. Thoroughly inspect all exposed surfaces on your
12. Divers - thoroughly clean all regulators, BCDs,
vessel and trailer. If you find any mussels, scrape
wetsuits, and any other dive gear, making sure to
them off and kill them by crushing them. Dispose
clean both the inside and outside of the BCD. Use
of the remains in the trash.
a commercially available dive equipment clean-
ing compound that contains ammonia, vinegar,
3. Remove all plants and mud from your boat,
or chlorine. Allow gear, suit, and other equip-
trailer, and all equipment. Dispose of all material
ment to dry before diving in different waters
in the trash.
(veligers can survive on a wetsuit if left damp).
13.
4. Empty and dry all buckets and dispose of all
If you can’t keep your watercraft dry, wash your
bait in trash receptacles before you leave. Do
boat’s hull, trailer, equipment, bilge, and any
not take bait home, or leave it on the ground or
other exposed surfaces. High-pressure, hot wa-
dump it in any waterway.
ter will help to reduce the spread. A household
bleach solution (½ cup bleach per 2 cups water)
5. Carefully feel your boat’s hull for any rough or
must be used to prevent the spread.
gritty spots, which may be young mussels that
have settled on your vessel and cannot be seen.
Microscopic Quagga/Zebra mussels will feel like
sandpaper.
Stop the
6. Away from the waterway, drain all water from
Spread of
your boat (pull all plugs) and dry all areas,
including the motor, motor cooling system, live
wells, ballast tanks, bladders, bilges, and lower
To report a sighting or for more information:
ZEBRA MUSSELS
outboard units.
Dreissena polymorpha
MassDCR Lakes and Ponds Program
An Invasive Mussel
7. Keep your watercraft dry for at least 1 week
(617) 626-4975
(during hot, dry weather) and up to 4 weeks
www.mass.gov/lakesandponds
(during cool, wet weather) before launching into
any freshwater lake or pond. Drying is the only
way to prevent the spread of zebra mussels.
8. Thoroughly clean all fishing and recreational
equipment (fishing nets, etc).
What are Zebra Mussels?
Current Invasive Mussel Distribution in
Massachusetts’ lakes, ponds, and streams are
New England/NY (April 2009)*
a valuable resource for boating, swimming,
fishing, and numerous other types of recreation.
These water bodies also provide valuable habitat for a
Photo credit:
variety of wildlife, including a number of popular sport
Minnesota DNR
fish species. Unfortunately,
the looming invasion of our
waters by exotic mussels
threatens to damage
these resources.
Zebra Mussel, Photo credit: USGS
The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) has
extended its range in the Northeast in recent years
and is now found as close as Twin Lakes in Salisbury,
Photo credit: Michigan Sea Grant Archives
Connecticut, the Hudson River and Lake George in
New York, and several lakes in Vermont, including
Lake Champlain.
The similar but more
aggressive quagga mussel
(D. bugensis) is rapidly
expanding its range and
has been found as close as
•
for the most up to date map go to
the Mohawk-Hudson River
www.mass.gov/lakesandponds
Photo Credit: USGS
confluence.
Why should you be concerned about Zebra Mussels?
Boaters should use extreme caution before launching
their boats in Massachusetts waterbodies. If you have
Zebra and quagga mussels are some of the most ecological y and economical y damaging aquatic organisms to
been boating in New York, Vermont, or Connecticut it
invade the United States. Their destructive power lies in their sheer num-
is especially important that you thoroughly insepct
bers and ability to attach to solid objects – water intake pipes, propel ers,
and wash your boat and other equipment following
boat hul s, dock pilings, submerged rocks and even other aquatic animals.
the guidelines in this brochure.
• Native mussels, fish and wildlife are threatened. Zebra and quagga
mussels consume available food and alter the ecology of infested
waters. They are a direct threat to native mussels, accumulating on
their shel s in sufficient numbers to smother their hosts. In infested
waters, they can wash up on beaches, covering them with thousands
of broken sharp shel s.
• Boat engines can be ruined by zebra and quagga mussels growing in
the cooling system intakes and blocking water flow. They can also jam
steering equipment.
Photo credit: Michigan Sea Grant Archives
Photo credit: Minnesota DNR
