AUSTIN – As Texans gear up for Labor Day weekend and the kickoff of teal season on Sept. 19, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reminds boaters, paddlers and waterfowl hunters to do their part in protecting Texas lakes from aquatic invasive species.
“While we want everyone to have a great time, we also want to avoid giving aquatic invasive species free rides to new lakes,” said Brian Van Zee, TPWD Inland Fisheries deputy division director. “The best way to prevent the spread of many harmful aquatic invasive species is to clean, drain and dry your boats and equipment every time you visit any lake.”
In addition to boaters helping prevent harm to aquatic ecosystems, water infrastructure and the recreational experience at lakes by cleaning, draining and drying their boats, it’s also the law. Transporting prohibited aquatic invasive species in Texas is illegal. Boaters must drain all water from their boat and onboard receptacles, including bait buckets, before leaving or approaching a body of fresh water. They must also remove all invasive plants from the boat and trailer before leaving a lake.
Two of the biggest threats to Texas lakes, zebra mussels and giant salvinia, continue to spread to new areas in Texas. In addition, other highly invasive species can be spread or introduced by boaters including water hyacinth, crested and yellow floating heart, quagga mussels or other invasive species not yet found in Texas.
Giant salvinia, a highly invasive, free-floating aquatic fern that can double its coverage area in a week, is a serious concern for anyone who enjoys Texas lakes. This invasive plant can produce thick surface mats that make fishing, boating, swimming and other water recreation nearly impossible. It is currently present on 30 East Texas lakes and numerous rivers, creeks and marshes between Houston and Beaumont. While TPWD efforts have kept giant salvinia from currently limiting angling or boating access in Texas public waters, this invasive plant could still hitchhike from one lake to another on a boat, trailer or other equipment, creating new problems.
“Once they’re introduced, it doesn’t take much for aquatic invasive plants to take root and become established in a lake,” said Jessica Metz, TPWD aquatic habitat enhancement biologist. “Just a single, small fragment can quickly cause a problematic infestation. Aquatic invasive species can have harmful effects on key fish and waterfowl habitat along with causing angler and boater access issues that impact the ecosystem and recreation. Once these species become established, they are costly to manage and become a long-term issue. A few fragments of an invasive plant that gets caught on boat or trailer or equipment, such as duck decoys, can easily be moved to another lake with the next trip. Texans taking a small amount of time for preventive measures by inspecting and cleaning boats and equipment after a trip on the lake, draining water, and allowing the boat and equipment to dry completely. With these simple actions, you can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive plants to other Texas lakes.”
Zebra mussels, a non-native shellfish that attaches to hard surfaces, pose a significant concern for Texas lakes. These invasive mussels damage boats and infrastructure for water supply and control, alter lake ecosystems and cause harm to native species. They also litter shorelines with hazardous, sharp shells that impact lakefront recreation.
Zebra mussels are now found in 40 Texas lakes across eight river basins, as well as in river reaches downstream of infested lakes. TPWD and partners monitor numerous at-risk lakes around the state for early detection of zebra and closely related quagga mussels. Once they’ve been introduced and become established in a lake, little or nothing can be done to control or eradicate them, with efforts focused on mitigating or minimizing damage to critical water infrastructure.
“Zebra mussels and quagga mussels can attach to boats and even be carried by anchors or plants clinging to boats,” said Monica McGarrity, TPWD senior scientist for aquatic invasive species. “Though they can’t be seen with the naked eye, microscopic zebra mussel larvae can also be transported unknowingly in residual water in the boat. Taking just a few minutes to clean, drain and dry boats can make a huge difference in our efforts to prevent further spread of this highly damaging species and harm to Texas lakes.”
TPWD urges boaters to follow these three simple but crucial steps to clean, drain and dry boats and gear before traveling from lake to lake: remove plants, mud and debris; drain all water from the boat and gear; and, once back home, open compartments and allow everything to dry completely for at least a week, if possible. Protect the lakes you love in our great state—it’s what Texans do!
If a boat or other equipment has been stored in the water at a lake with invasive mussels, it is likely infested and poses an extremely high risk for transporting these invasive species to a new lake. Before moving the boat, call TPWD at (512) 389-4848 for guidance.
In addition to cleaning, draining and drying their boats and trailers, hunters should also make sure they aren’t inadvertently carrying invasive species on other equipment like waders, decoys, decoy bags and marsh sleds by cleaning, draining and drying this equipment as well. A video to help hunters learn how to properly clean, drain and dry can be found on the TPWD YouTube Channel.
“Waterfowl hunters can help keep invasive mussels and aquatic plants from being moved and harming more lakes by taking a few minutes to remove plants and debris from boats and decoys along with draining water before leaving the lake and allowing everything to dry completely afterward before traveling to a new location,” said McGarrity. “Taking just a few minutes for these simple steps now can help prevent decades of future impacts that could degrade waterfowl habitat, impact recreation, and make a huge difference in our efforts to protect and preserve Texas lakes for current and future generations.
For more information on how to properly clean, drain and dry boats and equipment, visit the TPWD YouTube channel for a short instructional video. To learn more about zebra mussels, giant salvinia and other invasive species in Texas, visit tpwd.texas.gov/StopInvasives.
TPWD and partners monitor for invasive species in Texas lakes, but anyone who spots them on boats, trailers or equipment that is being moved can help prevent new introductions by reporting the sighting to TPWD immediately at (512) 389-4848. Anyone who finds invasive species such as zebra mussels in lakes where they haven’t been found before can help identify new introductions by emailing photos and specific location information to aquaticinvasives@tpwd.texas.gov.
