Zebra Mussels in Pactola Reservoir

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation advises that Zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha, have been discovered in Pactola Reservoir in southwestern South Dakota.

PSA: "IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT BOATERS AND RECREATION USERS ACTIVELY PRACTICE 'CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY' PROCEDURES FOR ALL WATERCRAFT OR ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES THE WATER SUCH AS LIFE JACKETS, WADERS, AND FISHING EQUIPMENT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT INVASIVE ZEBRA/QUAGGA MUSSELS CAN SURVIVE UP TO 30 DAYS OUT OF WATER.

• CLEAN WATERCRAFT AND TRAILERS OF ALL AQUATIC PLANTS AND MUD.
• DRAIN ALL WATER BY REMOVING ALL DRAINS, PLUGS, BAILERS, OR VALVES THAT RETAIN WATER. BE SURE TO COMPLETELY DRAIN YOUR LOWER UNIT OF ANY WATER BY LOWERING COMPLETELY.
• DRY ALL EQUIPMENT THAT HAS CONTACTED THE WATER BEFORE IT'S NEXT USE.

ALL WATERCRAFT ENCOUNTERING A WATERCRAFT INSPECTION/DECONTAMINATION STATION INCLUDING NON-MOTORIZED WATERCRAFT (CANOES, KAYAKS, STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS, AND INFLATABLES) NEED TO BE INSPECTED. SOUTH DAKOTA GAME, FISH AND PARKS HAS INSPECTION STATIONS AT ALL LARGER WESTERN RESERVOIRS. INSPECTION STATIONS ARE THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE IN PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES.

KEEPING OUR WATERWAYS CLEAN IS A JOINT VENTURE AND WE URGE BOATERS AND THE PUBLIC TO VISIT SDLEASTWANTED.SD.GOV FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT CLEANING WATERCRAFT AND TO REPORT ANY SIGHTING OF ZEBRA MUSSELS."

Zebra mussles have become established in freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and rivers in the United States. Invasive dreissenid mussels pose significant challenges for Reclamation and all agencies and industries that manage water. Invasive mussels are prolific breeders and settle on or within water facility infrastructure such as water intakes, gates, diversion screens, hydropower equipment, pumps, pipelines, and boats. Infested water and hydropower infrastructure can fail or choke off water transmissions. Invasive mussels negatively impact the natural ecology, which can be detrimental to native and endangered species, including native fisheries.

"Reclamation's infrastructure provides benefits including flood control, domestic water supplies, irrigation, recreation, and more," said Scott Hettinger, deputy Dakotas area manager. "It is imperative for Reclamation and our partners to protect our lakes and rivers from the negative effects and expenses caused by invasive species."

Maintaining and operating water supply and delivery facilities, water recreation, and other water dependent industries and economies in mussel infested water bodies are dramatically more expensive and complex. According to United States Geological Survey, invasive mussel species cause an estimated $1 billion in damages to water infrastructure throughout the country every year. Public recreation may also be severely impacted by mussel infestations, from shell fragments degrading swim beaches to increased requirements and cost for boaters to have their watercraft inspected and decontaminated, and potential impacts on populations of game fish.