PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release)- Fall is here, and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks department would like to remind boat and cabin owners to inspect their watercraft, boat docks, lifts and other water equipment for aquatic invasive species.
Parks staff are working to keep our campgrounds clean and maintained. They are also busy taking out buoys, docks and winterizing equipment.
During these seasonal duties, parks staff discovered zebra mussels while moving buoys on Mina Lake in Brown County. Based on the discovery, Mina Lake will be classified as positive for zebra mussels.
“This is another reminder of the importance of keeping watercraft clean, drained and dried,” said Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator, Tanner Davis. “Fall is an excellent opportunity to make sure your equipment is mussel free as zebra mussel juveniles and adults will begin to show up to the naked eye on infested waters. All boaters and cabin owners should take a few extra minutes to look over their water infrastructure and make sure they are not accidentally transporting zebra mussels from one waterbody to the next.”
Inspecting watercraft that use Mina Lake is important to minimize the impacts to local waters.
Boaters can do their part to slow the spread of these mussels by ensuring they always practice Clean, Drain, and Dry. This includes:
- Pulling all boat plugs to allow the water to drain out of the boat;
- Cleaning all vegetation, debris, and other objects off the boat and trailer upon loading;
- Drying all equipment that has been submerged in water; and,
- Lowering their motors to drain the water out of the lower unit after loading.
This confirmation serves as one additional reminder for boaters to Clean, Drain, and Dry. For more information visit sdleastwanted.sd.gov.
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