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Zebra
Mussel Project
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Photo
courtesy of U.S.G.S.
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Zebra
mussels, Dreissena polymorpha,were introduced
to the Great Lakes in the mid 1980's and since have
spread to several major rivers, including the Mississippi
River. One of the major impacts zebra mussels have had
is on the native mussel populations. This threat is
ongoing and for several endangered species zebra mussels
are the greatest threat to their existence. In response
to this threat the La Crosse FRO, in coordination with
their partners, continue to monitor the spread of zebra
mussels on the St. Croix River. The St. Croix is home
to the endangered Higgins Eye Pearlymussel and Winged
Mapleleaf mussel.
 The National
Park Service, in conjunction with the Fish & Wildlife
Service, established a SCUBA Dive Team in 2000, in large
part to actively monitor
the presence of zebra mussels. Periodic dives associated
with research or resource management augment our understanding
of zebra mussel numbers and locations in the St. Croix
River. When zebra mussels are found, a quadrant sampler
is used to determine abundance. La Crosse FRO staff
participate on the dive team, and also monitor zebra
mussels with multi-plate samplers. Multi-plate samplers
are deployed along the lower St. Croix and checked twice
a month.
Zebra
Mussels removed from
Lock and Dam 7, Mississippi River Sept. 2001
Photo courtesy of Paul Machajewski, US Army Corp
of Engineers
The
point of contact for this project is:
Scott Yess Scott_Yess@fws.gov
(608) 783-8432
or Dave_Wedan@fws.gov
(608) 783-8435
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