A Threat Hard To Imagine

A toy boat is covered with Zebra Museels after being in a lake infested with Zebras.

There are many Aquatic Invasive Species, but the two most threatening to the Iowa Great Lakes are the Eurasian milfoil and zebra mussels. Eurasian milfoil is a thick mat of weeds that can choke a lake to prevent boating, fishing, and swimming. The closest infestation of Eurasian milfoil is in the lakes surrounding the Twin Cities along with small ponds in Palo Alto and Kossuth counties. Zebra mussels have sharp edges that can cut swimmers feet. Zebras also grow so fast they could clog the lake water intake pipes that supply our drinking water. Three years ago, a few zebra mussels were found in Clear Lake. Now Clear Lake docks and hoists are covered with zebra mussels.

For the past three summers, three DNR Water Patrol Officers have been on Iowa Great Lakes boat ramps every day to educate boaters about the threat of AIS. While on the boat ramps these officers are also inspecting boats and trailers for any signs they are carrying AIS. However, with twelve major boat ramps and three officers, we are severely limited in our boat ramp coverage.

Volunteers to the Rescue

Last summer the Water Safety Council, along with the lake protective associations, organized boat ramp volunteers to help educate boaters. The major staffing concern for this effort is weekends and holidays when the number of boaters using our ramps increases significantly.

Volunteers are asked to help educate boaters about the threat of Aquatic Invasive Species for two hours each summer month. Some volunteers may want to contribute more than two hours per month - that is encouraged. The volunteers would also inspect boats and trailers to prevent AIS from entering the Iowa Great Lakes. New for this year -- we also have an Iowa Great Lakes boat ramp volunteer training DVD.

Some might think educating boaters along with inspecting boats and trailers is a waste of time, since some Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes already have Aquatic Invasive Species. Our experience is that 99% of the boats and trailers coming to the Iowa Great Lakes are free of Aquatic Invasive Species. However, we need to be vigilant for that one percent that could bring Eurasian milfoil or zebra mussels to our lakes. Boater education will pay dividends even when a DNR officer or volunteer is not at the boat ramp.

We have three protection advantages that infected lakes in Minnesota and Wisconsin did not have.

1. We are much further from the AIS source of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.

2. Iowa lakes are much further apart than Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes.

3. We have a high percentage of boaters who trailer to the Iowa Great Lakes and do not use other lakes.

How to Volunteer

1. Contact your Lake Coordinator to provide your name and contact information. The use of email is preferred because it requires less real time contact.

2. Obtain your volunteer equipment from the Maritime Museum or DNR Fish Hatchery.

3. When you are ready -- contact your Lake Coordinator to advise them the boat ramp and time you will be there.

2009 AIS LAKE COORDINATORS

West Okoboji

Rhonda Thornton & Emily Schaefer -- 337-8038

Email emilyschaefer@hotmail.com

East Okoboji & Lower Lakes

Toby Jensen -- 712/ 249-9288

Email jensent96@iowalakes.edu

Spirit Lake

Dick Ramsey -- 336-5336 --

Email rramsay@mchsi.com

To probe further

Check the Iowa Great Lakes Water Safety Council website www.watersafetycouncil.org -- click on Aquatic Invasive Species.