This article comes by way of Brent Pence, Fisheries Biologist with the Allegheny National Forest.

Allegheny Reservoir Zebra Mussel Monitoring 

This past summer on the reservoir, the Allegheny National Forest instituted a screening/inspection effort of boaters to prevent the introduction of zebra mussels into the reservoir.  Some of you may have encountered employees of the Forest Service conducting a series of questions and screenings to determine whether your watercraft was at risk for introducing zebra mussels into the reservoir.  This effort was conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who oversees the management of federally listed threatened and endangered species.  There is a concern that should they get introduced into the reservoir, they will then be ‘flushed’ through Kinzua Dam and into the river below where two endangered mussels reside.  There are also concerns that they can have an impact on the fisheries and other native aquatic species in the reservoir and in the Allegheny River.  

The objective was to prevent the introduction of zebra mussels into the Allegheny Reservoir. The reason for this was to protect the two endangered mussels (Northern Riffleshell and Clubshell) in the river downstream of the reservoir. Its been documented that zebra mussels significantly impact native mussel populations. The purpose of the project was to: 1) educate the public about zebra mussels, 2) inform the public of the proper methods to prevent their spread, and 3) screen watercraft before they were launched into the reservoir to insure there were no zebra mussels (or vegetation that might contain zebra mussels) attached to either the boat or trailer. The overall goal of the project was to determine what the risk was of introducing zebra mussels into the Allegheny Reservoir.

The forest employed three full-time seasonal positions over the summer and into the fall season to screen boaters launching into the reservoir. Additional people worked on holidays to provide additional coverage. The screeners used a survey form that was filled out with each interview performed. In addition, we had self-screening forms inserted inside of each fee envelope at self-service sites.

Between May 26 and October 15, 2000, 4,493 boaters were interviewed and had their boats screened for the presence of zebra mussels and/or vegetation hanging from their trailers or boat. The results indicate a high percentage of the boating public is familiar with zebra mussels in general (84%), while a lesser number was knowledgeable about the proper methods to prevent their spread (52%). This data came from the actual interview of people, and not the self-service sites where the data was not complete enough to analyze. Based on a set of criteria, 21 (0.5%) of the 4,493 boats screened were determined to be a moderate risk, meaning their boat had been in a zebra mussel infested body of water within the previous 5 days of launching in the Allegheny Reservoir, but was not moored for more than a day in that infested water which would have given zebra mussels time to attach to a boat. Two other boats were determined to be probable high risk based on the criteria (in a zebra mussel infested water within past 5 days and moored for at least a day giving zebra mussels time to attach themselves), but after inspection of the boats it was determined that they did not harbor any zebra mussels. 

One thing working in favor of minimizing the introduction of zebra mussels is the annual drawdown of the reservoir each winter by 28’.  Should any zebra mussels become detached from a boat or trailer within this drawdown zone, they will freeze and die during the winter. 

For those not familiar with the closest populations of zebra mussels, the following are known infested waters:

Chautauqua Lake

Edinboro Lake

Lake Erie

Lake Ontario.

There are many more than this, including several lakes in the Finger Lakes Region of New York, the lower Allegheny River, and numerous lakes in northwest Ohio.  If your boating outside the Allegheny Reservoir area, be sure you know if the body of water you have had your watercraft (including jet ski) on is infested with zebra mussels before launching into the Allegheny Reservoir (or any other uninfested body of water). 

To prevent the spread of zebra mussels, follow these five key points: 

1. REMOVE all aquatic plants from equipment (including trailer)
2. DRAIN water from watercraft
3. DISPOSE of unwanted live bait on land

and

4. RINSE watercraft and equipment with hot tap water (>104 F), or high pressure hot water, or
5. DRY watercraft and equipment for at least 5 days.

We plan on being on the reservoir again in 2001 conducting the same surveys.  We ask for your cooperation, especially if you have already been screened before. 

For those that are on the Internet, there are numerous sites to visit that discuss zebra mussels.  

Another exotic species that anglers need to be aware of is the round goby.  This aggressive bottom fish out-competes many native fish, and are now in Lake Erie.  Make sure the live bait you use does not have round gobies.  Some anglers fishing in Presque Isle have commented that it is difficult to catch any game fish because the gobies are so aggressive and take the bait before any game fish can. 

Submitted by:

U.S. Forest Service, Allegheny National Forest

I'm also going to include some information from the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network.

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04/26/2007