Stop The Spread Of Invasive Species

Boaters Urged to “Clean, Drain, and Dry” to Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species

AUSTIN – With Memorial Day and summertime quickly approaching, Texans will be getting out on the water. Now more than ever, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) urge boaters and paddlers who enjoy water recreation this summer to do their part to fight back against aquatic invasive species that threaten Texas lakes.

“Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kick-off to boating season in Texas. And while we want everyone to have a great time, we also want them to avoid giving free rides to invasive species and helping them travel to new lakes,” said Brian Van Zee, TPWD Inland Fisheries Regional Director. “The best way to prevent the spread of many destructive aquatic invasive species is to clean, drain, and dry your boats and equipment every time.”

Zebra mussels and giant Salvinia continue to spread to new areas in Texas. Yet while they remain some of the biggest threats to Texas lakes, boaters can spread or introduce other highly invasive species, including water hyacinth, floating crested heart, and quagga mussels.

“There’s no doubt that Texans love their lakes,” said John Findeisen, TPWD Brookeland Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Team Lead. “We also need Texans to take action to help protect their lakes. It only takes a tiny fragment of an invasive plant to create a new infestation, and preventing aquatic invasive species introductions avoids costly, long-term efforts to manage these species once they infest a lake.”

Giant Salvinia, a highly invasive, free-floating aquatic fern that can double its coverage area in a week, is one of the significant threats to our lakes. The invasive plant can produce thick surface mats that make fishing, boating, swimming, and other water recreation impossible.

Giant Salvinia is currently present on 23 East Texas lakes and numerous rivers, creeks, and marshes between Houston and Beaumont. While TPWD efforts have kept giant Salvinia from limiting angling or boating access in Texas public waters, they could still hitchhike from one lake to another on a boat, trailer, or other equipment.

Zebra mussels, a non-native shellfish that attaches to hard surfaces, also pose a significant threat to our 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.

You can find Zebra mussels in 33 Texas lakes across six river basins and in river reaches downstream of infested lakes. In addition, quagga mussels, a close relative of zebra mussels, have also been detected in Lake Amistad. The TPWD and partners monitor numerous at-risk lakes around the state for early detection of zebra and quagga mussels. Still, once they’ve been introduced and become established in a lake, you can not control or eradicate them.

“Zebra mussels and quagga mussels can be attached to boats or even carried by anchors or attached to plants clinging to boats,” said Monica McGarrity, TPWD Senior Scientist for Aquatic Invasive Species Management. “Microscopic zebra mussel larvae can be transported 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 Texas lakes.”

Boaters need to remove all plants, mud, and debris from boats, trailers, vehicles, and gear and drain the water from the vessel, all equipment, and onboard receptacles before leaving the lake. In addition, you should dry boats completely before visiting another lake, preferably for at least a week. If drying isn’t possible, washing the boat and compartments using a carwash or spray nozzle on a water hose before visiting another lake can help reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species.

If you have stored your boat in the water at a lake with invasive mussels, it is likely infested and poses an extremely high risk of moving these invasive species to a new lake. Before moving your boat, call TPWD at (512) 389-4848 for guidance on decontamination.

On top of the harm aquatic invasive species can cause to marine ecosystems, water infrastructure, and the recreational experience at lakes, the transport of these organisms can result in legal trouble for boaters. Transporting prohibited aquatic invasive species in Texas is illegal and punishable with a fine of $500 per violation. Boaters are also required to drain all water from their boat and onboard receptacles, including bait buckets, before leaving or approaching a body of fresh water and immediately remove all invasive plants from the boat, trailer, and tow vehicle before leaving a lake.

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 giant Salvinia, zebra mussels, and other invasive species in Texas, visit tpwd.texas.gov/StopInvasives.

TPWD and partners monitor for invasive species in Texas lakes. Still, anyone who finds them in lakes where no one has reported before or who spots them on boats, trailers, or equipment that someone is moving can help identify and prevent new introductions by reporting the sighting to TPWD at (512) 389-4848 or by emailing photos and location information to aquaticinvasives@tpwd.texas.gov.