Parks Canada News

Living Zebra Mussel found in Clear Lake,

Riding Mountain National Park

WASAGAMING, MANITOBA, July 19, 2024: Parks Canada has found an adult zebra mussel near Boat Cove, in Clear Lake, in Riding Mountain National Park. On July 17, 2024, while conducting a visual survey, Parks Canada snorkellers found one partial shell and one living, adult sized zebra mussel attached to a rock. Water samples collected from Boat Cove from June 19-27, 2024, have also tested positive for environmental DNA from zebra mussels. This evidence shows zebra mussels are building a presence in Clear Lake.

Next steps:

An impermeable containment curtain is expected to arrive the week of July 22, 2024. This curtain will be deployed from Boat Cove to the pier and will isolate the area where the zebra mussel was found from the rest of the lake.

The Boat Cove area will be closed to the public during the installation of the containment curtain. Once installed, the containment curtain is not expected to impact the operations of the tour boat The Martese, or the ability of park visitors to use the lake for swimming or fishing.

The decision on the use of potash as a potential eradication method is pending the results of further visual surveys and water sampling from other areas of the lake. Parks Canada will review the evidence and determine the best course of action as this information becomes available. Any decision will be widely communicated before actions are taken. Health Canada considers open-water potash applications at concentrations needed to kill zebra mussels safe for swimming.

The temporary watercraft management measures for Clear Lake remain in place.

The ecology of Clear Lake is a top priority for Parks Canada, and staff remain committed to working with members of the Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation and others to safeguard the long-term health of the waters of Clear Lake. Parks Canada is also committed to minimizing the impact to the natural environment and to the local tourism industry economy. Parks Canada is moving forward with a $100,000 contribution to enhance the visitor experience and tourism offer in the Riding Mountain community. Parks Canada and partners will share more information as it becomes available.

Parks Canada thanks the community for its ongoing support for the aquatic invasive species program in Riding Mountain National Park and for the commitment to working together to attempt to further identify and possibly eradicate a population of zebra mussels in Clear Lake.

For more information visit Riding Mountain National Park’s website at https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mb/riding/nature/conserv/aqua/faq

The Information Bulletin can be found online here:

EN https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mb/riding/securite-safety/bulletins/208d8610-1f35-44d8-a7d4-52c4e4251ad3

FR https://parcs.canada.ca/pn-np/mb/riding/securite-safety/bulletins/208d8610-1f35-44d8-a7d4-52c4e4251ad3

Mireille Kroeker

Public Relations and Communications Officer

Riding Mountain National Park
Parks Canada / Government of Canada
135 Wasagaming Drive, Wasagaming, Mb.

mireille.kroeker@pc.gc.ca

June 2024 Update on Zebra Mussel Monitoring

Monitoring and Sampling Update

As of June 10, 2024, 26 water samples taken from high-priority areas in Clear Lake have tested negative for zebra mussel environmental DNA (eDNA). Currently, areas of focus are near Boat Cove and the area around the pier and the Clear Lake Marina. Water samples continue to be analyzed in Winnipeg by Fisheries and Oceans Canada on a priority basis. The likelihood of detecting zebra mussels increases as the water temperature warms.

On June 3, a Fisheries and Oceans Canada dive team completed visual surveys of the main pier, Clear Lake Marina, and the shoreline extending from the main pier to the Boat Cove.

So far, no zebra mussels have been found.

Containment Curtain Installation

Considering multiple positive tests for zebra mussel environmental DNA (eDNA) in Boat Cove throughout the summer of 2023, and the collection of live adult zebra mussels in the same area in November 2023, precautionary measures are being taken to contain and isolate the potential spread of zebra mussels in Clear Lake.

Within the next few weeks, containment curtains will be installed around Boat Cove and on the pier at Main Beach. These curtains are made of the same materials required for silt curtains (material that catches or stops sediment) used in many construction projects. The containment curtains installed in Clear Lake will increase the likelihood of zebra mussel detection by stopping lake currents and wind-generated flows.

If further evidence of zebra mussels (veligers, positive eDNA samples, living mussels) is found outside of the initial containment area, the curtains may be moved to that location.

Visitors can still enjoy swimming within the area contained by the curtains. The water within the contained area is the same as water outside the curtains. The curtains will likely be in place for the 2024 open water season.

Zebra Mussel Treatment

Parks Canada staff and partners are monitoring for the presence of an established colony of zebra mussels using multiple detection methods. If further evidence of zebra mussels is found in the containment area (veligers, positive eDNA samples, living mussels), and monitoring results from the remaining portion of the lake are negative, a treatment option using potash molluscicide may be considered. If no further evidence of zebra mussels is found, treatment may not be required.

If zebra mussels are detected, and a potash molluscicide treatment is feasible, it will be widely communicated.

If zebra mussels are detected, the containment curtains will be used to isolate the area. Then, if feasible, it will allow for the effective treatment of zebra mussels using potash molluscicide. Successful containment is essential for effective treatment while preserving the water quality and overall ecological integrity of Clear Lake.

Health Canada considers open-water potash applications at concentrations needed to kill zebra mussels safe for swimming.

Parks Canada News

June 2024 Update on Zebra Mussel Monitoring

This website uses cookies.