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Show A8 The Emery County Review, Tuesday, November 25, 2008 Zebra Mussels confirmed in Electric Lake Continued from Page A1. multiple times a year. They spread quickly through waterways, attaching to hard surfaces including boats and clogging pipes for irrigation, power plants and dams. Representatives from the DWR had previously revealed receiving conflicting results from DNA tests at an Emery County Public Lands meeting, but only a week later they received news that the Pisces lab in Colorado ran a second methodology and got a second positive. That was when representatives notified media that they had confirmed the mussels had infested the reservoir. Daniel Keller, ecologist for the DWR explained, “We’re at a very early phase of detection. All we have detected is the larvae of the mussels in the water. We actually haven’t found any adults, most likely because the population is very young.” But Keller warned that if conditions are right for the mussels to flourish in the reservoir, the population could explode. “The way these things work is after a year or two they just kind of explode, and you find them stuck to everything,” he said. Some have suggested the elevation and cool temperature of the reservoir might make the environment less hospitable for the zebra mussels. “Our results have indicated that Electric Lake has zebra mussels, not quagga mussels. They’re very closely related. However, quagga mussels do tend to do better in colder, deeper water. So, it is actually a good thing that these are zebra mussels because they don’t do as well in colder water,” Keller reported. “However, if you look at the great lakes, it’s incredibly cold and they do well, so I don’t think the fact that it’s colder will save us. “If they’re really going to take hold and grow to an out of control population, it could be a few years before we really see that manifested. If the conditions aren’t ideal for them, they may not totally explode, but of course, there is really no reason to believe that they wouldn’t do well here.” That possibility is exactly what is now concerning both the power plant and irrigation board. Were the population to explode, the costs could be enormous. Keller revealed that in waterways already affected by the invaders, treatment costs have been exorbitant. Both entities are now rushing to put together plans in response to the news. A representative for Rocky Mountain Power explained, “This is something that has just developed in the last couple of days, and we are working in cooperation with the DWR in the process. We expect more information will be made available to the company. We will then develop a plan in consultation with state officials as this information is studied.” Though no other plants operated by RMP have been affected by the mussels, they revealed that their sister company, Mid-American Energy has dealt with the issue in the Mississippi River Drainage. “We will take advantage of their experience as we develop a plan to deal with the situation here,” the representative revealed. The Huntington-Cleveland Irrigation Company met with Cody Allred regarding the announcement on Nov. 20, soon after the news first surfaced. Allred, who works for the power company, is also on the board of the irrigation company. According to Sherrel Ward, Allred gave an extensive report on the investigation and explained the complexity of the situation to the board. They fear the invasive species could spread and effect pipes, sprinkling systems, pivots and lines, costing local citizens. The DWR has been in close contact with both since they initially reported the Fresh Gilly’s Pizza take and bake ke it or we’ll ba for you. results a week ago. According to Keller, “We have had a lot of personal meetings with them and a lot of conference calls. Our intentions were to notify them as soon as possible to buy them time to start thinking about possible treatments, ways they can protect themselves, and ways they can protect their plant. They are in the process of figuring out what this means to them and where they want to go from here.” “As soon as we can get out and collect more data we’re going to be doing it. We’re going to be working closely with the water users to provide expertise in Daniel Keller holds Zebra Mussels from Lake Mead that are treatment options to firmed to be in Electric Lake. try to minimize the impacts. We’re going to be doing some The DWR is also con- at options and to formulate things right away, but treat- cerned that the mussels may a game plan to handle the ing the lake will definitely become established in the situation. The DWR is also take some time and a lot of Green River or the Colorado waiting on results from money.” River. The mussels could Joes Valley Reservoir, HunOf special concern to have a huge negative impact tington North and Pelican the DWR is the effect the on the threatened and en- and Red Fleet in the Uintah mussels can have on fisher- dangered species in the riv- Range. Keller reported that ies. Keller elaborated, “As a ers, competing with them for the samples should be back wildlife agency, that’s one food and for habitat. from within two weeks to a of the things the division of Currently, as far as fur- month. wildlife is really concerned ther sampling in Electric The DWR has multiple about. Mussels filter a lot of Lake is concerned, the DWR options for the treatment of the algae and plankton out is in a holding pattern, since the reservoir should the popof the water, and as they do the water temperatures at ulation take hold. One of the that they’re essentially steal- the reservoir make it impos- best options, Keller revealed, ing food from the fish. And sible to take plankton sam- is treating the water with poso the fish are going to be ples. And since the mussels tassium chloride, the same less healthy, and there will can’t breed in such cold wa- chemical used in water softbe less fish overall. One adult ter temperatures, the agency eners. The treatment is actumussel will filter a quart of will have to wait until water ally very environmentally water a day.” temperatures warm up in friendly, but the drawback One of the initial im- the spring and early sum- is the enormous cost of dispacts of this filtering is that mer so they can monitor the solving such a large volume the water gets clearer, but situation. Once they resume of salt in the reservoir. because the mussels are re- next year, they will monitor Rock Mountain Power moving all of the plankton the shoreline and inside the also has the option using UV and algae in the water they dam to see if they can find light to kill the invaders to filter, Keller explained they adult zebra mussels. “There prevent them from getting can actually collapse the bot- have got to be adults to be into the plant, but again, the tom of the food chain. In fact, 100 percent sure what we costs are very high. in the Great Lakes region, have,” explained Keller. The recent DNA results there has been a 40 percent In the meantime, the are very disappointing for reduction in forage, which winter gives the DWR and the DWR who has worked has hurt the fish population. the other entities time to look hard to keep the invasive Breakfast Menu New Sausage, Egg & Cheese English Muffin Delivery Service• Farm Fuel • Lubes Your e s o Cho pings! Top Serving Carbon & Emery Counties Since 1972 15 North State Street Ferron, UT 435-384-3333 435-637-3211 kim@pierceoil.com Pierce Oil Co., Inc. 332 West Railroad Ave. Price like those that are con- species from contaminating Utah lakes. They have especially focused on boats, which are the classic mode of transfer for the mussels, but the DWR thinks these invaders may have gotten into Electric Lake through a much less obvious source. Since most of the water craft used on the reservoir is small boats, which are not usually used out of the state and brought back in to be used on local waterways, the DWR suspects the culprit could be one of the large number of out of state water trucks that fill up at the site. “The other possibility is that it might have been a water truck. There’s been a lot of drilling in this area associated with all the energy exploration that’s been going on here, and anytime they do any drilling they have to have water trucks. Some of those trucks came from out of state, so perhaps when they came to fill up there was some residual water in the tank,” explained Keller. He also said that there is a possibility the mussels could have come from a bird saying, “There are some diving ducks that feed off the mussels. Of course they’re migratory, coming in from far away, and come here to the lake. It’s a possibility.” The DWR will now also focus on trying to keep the invasive mussels from spreading from Electric Lake to other local waterways, encouraging those who recreate at the reservoir to clean their boats and allow them to dry for at least seven days during the summer, and 18 days during the spring and fall. The agency will also invite those who plan to use their boats soon after being in the reservoir to take advantage of professional decontamination services. Castle Dale, UT 36 East Main Street Check Us Out When You Buy Flooring Carpet • Vinyl • Laminate In Stock Closed For Thanksgiving Nov. 27th & 28th Weekdays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
