OutdoorNebraska

44 2017 Annual Report A Q U A T I C I N V A S I V E S P E C I E S P R E V E N T I O N P R O G R A M A N D S T A T U S O F Z E B R A M U S S E L S The Nebraska Aquatic Invasive Species program was launched in 2016 to combat the spread of invasive species. Residents pay a $5 fee with their boat registration that goes toward programs designed to combat the spread of aquatic invasive species. Nonresident boaters must buy the Nebraska Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp. In 2017, 4,466 stamps were sold, funding 4,150 boater surveys and 3,841 watercraft inspections. The surveys collected data to monitor watercraft movements and prevalence of aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention behavior among watercraft operators. Survey participants were given invasive species identifi cation and prevention information. Additionally, two watercraft decontaminations were conducted at fi shing tournaments in 2017. Both watercraft that had previously traveled to places with known populations of zebra mussels. In one of those boats, zebra mussel shells were found in the live well before a tournament at Calamus Reservoir. The mussels appeared to be dead, and the boater was ticketed for possessing zebra mussels. Zebra mussels have become established and are currently expanding in Lewis and Clark Lake and the stretch of the Missouri River downstream of Gavins Point Dam. The mussels are starting to have negative impacts on various water intake systems on these areas, especially several power plants. In 2017, an adult zebra mussel was found in Lake Yankton, which is located immediately below the Gavins Point Dam and drains into the Missouri River. Both veliger and adult sampling were conducted on all major water bodies across the state to monitor for the potential new mussel invasions. Carter and Zorinsky lakes each had one positive sample for veligers in 2017. Both water bodies are considered suspect. The Off utt Base Lake continues to have a dense mussel population, and Game and Parks has no plans to attempt an eradication eff ort. ZEBRA MUSSELS ENCRUST A DOCKLINE, ROPE, AT OFFUTT LAKE IN BELLEVUE.

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