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Introducing non-native species into Iowa waters can upset the balance of
the ecosystem, hurting the environment. Aquatic nuisance species
(Eurasian Milfoil, Zebra Mussels, Asian Carp, etc.) are most often spread between
waterways by hitching a ride on boats and trailers. When transplanted
into new waters, these organisms proliferate, displacing native species
and damaging the water resource.
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In nutrient-rich lakes,
Eurasian watermilfoil
can form thick underwater stands of tangled stems and vast mats
of vegetation at the water's surface. In shallow areas, the
plant can interfere with water recreation such as boating,
fishing, and swimming. The plant's floating canopy can also
crowd out important native water plants.
Milfoil is
found in waters less than 20-feet deep. It may form mats in
waters less than 15-feet deep. A native look-alike northern
watermilfoil has fewer (5-10) leaflet pairs.
A key factor in the plant's
success is its ability to reproduce through stem fragmentation
and underground runners. A single segment of stem and leaves can
take root and form a new colony. Fragments clinging to boats
and trailers can spread the plant from lake to lake. The
mechanical clearing of weed beds for beaches, docks, and
landings creates thousands of new stem fragments that can drift
with the wind. Removing native vegetation creates
perfect habitat for invading Eurasian watermilfoil.
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Zebra Mussels
Zebra mussels are small clam like animals about the size of your
fingernail - when fully grown. Zebra mussels have multiple stripes that give them
their "zebra" name and are shaped like the letter "D".
Zebra Mussels are very fast
growing with sharp edges that cut swimmers feet. Zebras can also clog water intake
pipes. (All of residents in the watershed draw their drinking
water from the Iowa Great lakes.)
In 2005, two adult Zebra Mussels
were found in Clear Lake (Less than 100 miles from the Iowa
Great Lakes). In 2006 juvenile Zebra Mussels were found. By
the fall of 2007 Zebras are growing exponentially at Clear Lake.
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Bighead and silver carp are two species of Asian Carp
that impact Iowa's waters. Silver carp can jump above the
water as boats drive by, injuring boaters, tubers, and water skiers. This
species can grow to be three feet long and weigh up to sixty
pounds. Bighead carp can reach sizes up to five feet long and
ninety pounds. Both species complete with native species for
food and space.
Asian Carp are in the Missouri
River, and bighead carp have found their way up the Little Sioux River to Lynn
Grove dam (32 miles South of the Iowa Great Lakes).
Because small Asian Carp look
like native minnows they could be spread by way of live bait. |
Summer
2009 Volunteer AIS Inspection Program - Iowa Great Lakes
For a number of years, the
residents and visitors to the Iowa Great Lakes have been concerned about
the threat of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). There are a dozen types of
invasive species, but the three that are of the most concern to us are
Eurasian milfoil, zebra mussels, and Asian Carp. In the fall of 2007 it was found the
tiny zebra mussel population at Clear Lake had increased exponentially.
Now Clear Lake docks and hoists are covered with zebra mussels. With
this new zebra mussel outbreak at Clear Lake, we need to significantly
increase our efforts to protect the Iowa Great Lakes.
For the past three summers, 3 DNR Water Patrol Officers have been
stationed on boat ramps to
educate boaters about the threat of AIS. While on the boat ramps these
officers are also inspecting boats and trailers for any signs they are
carrying AIS. However, with 12 major boat ramps and 3 officers, many boat
ramps remain uncovered. The major concern is with coverage is on
weekends and holidays when the number of boaters using our ramps
increases significantly.
Last summer we launched a program for volunteers to
assist the DNR at
major boat ramps on busy weekends and holidays. Each
volunteer would cover a boat ramp for two hours a month to
educate boaters about the harm AIS can do to our lakes. Some volunteers
may want to contribute more than two hours per month - that is
encouraged.
How to Volunteer
-
Contact your Lake Coordinator to provide your name and contact
information. The use of email is preferred because it requires less
real time contact.
-
Obtain your volunteer equipment from the Maritime Museum or the DNR Fish
Hatchery.
-
When you are ready contact your Lake Coordinator to advise them
the boat ramp and time you will be there.
2009 Volunteer Equipment
The volunteer equipment includes the orange
vest, clipboard, volunteer training DVD, AIS brochures, boaters maps,
boat ramp report form, and 2009 trailer stickers. The equipment can be
obtained from
2009 Aquatic Invasive Species Volunteer Program Instructions
CLICK
HERE
2009 Boat Ramp Report Form
CLICK HERE
2009 Volunteer Training
The DNR Fisheries Bureau will provide live
training at this dates and time:
New for this year
we also have an Iowa Great Lakes boat ramp volunteer training DVD
so it is not necessary to attend one of the live training sessions. If
you were a volunteer last summer this new DVD might be a good way to
brush up on your boat ramp skills.
View the 2009 AIS Boat Ramp Volunteer Training Video
12:31
PART 1 CLICK HERE
PART 2 CLICK HERE
AIS Volunteer Lake Coordinators
Each lake protective
association has appointed a Lake Coordinator to coordinate the
volunteers with the boat ramps and a time schedule for their respective
lakes.
Volunteers
should schedule their time a Lake Coordinators so
their time is reflected on this webpage. This
Internet scheduling is how we avoid having too many volunteers at one boat
ramp and none at another boat ramp. Highway 9 and Emerson Bay are
two boat ramps - that during busy periods - need more
than one volunteer.
If you are unable to contact
your
Lake Coordinator you can contact the Water Safety Council by sending an email to
watersafety@longlines.com
with your name and contact information.
BOAT RAMP VOLUNTEER
SCHEDULES
East
Okoboji & Lower Lakes
CLICK HERE
West Okoboji
CLICK HERE
Spirit Lake
CLICK HERE
Boaters should follow a simple set of procedures each time when leaving
the water:
-
Remove any visible plants, fish, or animals before transporting
equipment
-
Drain water from all equipment (motor, livewell, bilge, transom
well) before transporting
-
Clean and dry anything that comes into contact with water (boats,
trailers, equipment, boots, clothing, dogs).
-
Before moving to another waterbody either:
-
Rinse your boat and equipment with hot (104 degree) water; or
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Spray your boat and trailer with a high pressure water at a car
wash; or
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Dry your boat and equipment for at least 5 days
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Never release plants, fish, or animals into a waterbody unless they
came out of that waterbody. Empty unwanted bait in the trash
-
Learn to identify aquatic invasive species. Report any suspected
infestations to the nearest DNR fisheries station.
If a
boat, motor, trailer, live well, etc. have been out of the water for
a considerable length of time (Five days minimum ten days
better) any AIS should have died. To be sure, everything should be
washed with hot water and allowed to dry before entering the lake.
It is illegal
in Iowa to:
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Transport
Aquatic Invasive Species on a public road.
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Place a trailer or launch a
watercraft with Aquatic Invasive Species attached in public waters.
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Operate a watercraft in a
marked Aquatic Invasive Species area.
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The penalty for
violating this law is a $500 fine plus costs.
According to
Iowa law, the DNR may prohibit boating, fishing, swimming, and trapping
in infested bodies of water.
-
Pesky Mussels Lake Rathbun - Des Moines
Register article Nov. 5, 2007
Click
Here
-
Pesky Invaders - Des Moines
Register article April 1, 2007 Click
Here
-
2006 Aquatic Invasive Species Program Final Report
Click Here
-
Officers Educate Boaters - Sioux City Journal
article May 27, 2006
Click Here
For More Information on
Aquatic Invasive Species.............
See websites
www.iowadnr.com/fish/news/exotics/exotics.html
and
For the
Iowa DNR Aquatic Invasive Species Brochure - click on
http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/news/exotics/2006brochure.pdf
Also see U.S. Environmental
Protection website:
www.epa.gov/otaq/boat-fs.htm
Click here
www.protectyourwaters.net
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