Nebraska Game and Parks confirmed that adult zebra mussels have been found at Omaha's Cunningham Lake. The lake is now listed as an infested body of water. The mussels were recently detected in a water sample and mussels were found in various stages of development.
A zebra mussel is an invasive species. “These mussels form dense colonies and filter large amounts of plankton from water, decreasing the food supply for native species,’’ said Daryl Bauer, fisheries outreach program manager with Game and Parks. “Mussels increase water clarity, which expands the growth of unwanted vegetation. Their sharp shells are a hazard in swimming areas, and they clog water intake pipes.”
Young zebra mussels are too small to see with the naked eye and can be transported unintentionally on boats, outboard motors, live wells and bait buckets.
There is concern that boats moored along the Missouri River or Cunningham Lake might be moving zebra mussels to other waters if the boats are not properly decontaminated. Boats transporting zebra mussels can be impounded and fined up to $500. There are signs posted to alert boaters and anglers to follow the clean, drain and dry protocol to prevent their spread. There is no treatment to control zebra mussels except to drain the body of water to low levels to allow the mussels to dry out or freeze.
The City of Omaha, University of Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Game and Parks will increase surveillance of boaters and anglers to increase awareness of the infestation. Additionally, the agencies will determine future management action on the area.