The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Another Zebra mussel worries Candlewood Lake Authority
“It’s critical for us at this point to make sure that we can protect the lake from invasive species.” Neil Stalter of the Candlewood Lake Authority
The Candlewood Lake Authority found another zebra mussel on the lake shoreline, heightening its concerns about the population of the invasive species.
The single zebra mussel was found clenched onto a boat hoist in Lattins Cove, according to a Candlewood Lake Authority news release. Lake officials searched the surrounding area thoroughly but did not find any other zebra mussels, the release said.
Neil Stalter, the authority’s director of ecology and environmental education, said this is the third zebra mussel foud since March. The discovery is concerning because as an invasive species, zebra mussels can be “extremely disruptive” to the ecosystems it invades, according to the news release.
Zebra mussels quickly reproduce, taking resources away from other species and “out-compete” other organisms essential to the lake’s food chain. The species can potentially cover all hard surfaces — such as boats and docks — and damage them within a few years, Stalter said.
The zebra mussels’ sharp shells can can cut swimmers who do not wear proper footwear and “they can hurt,” Stalter said.
“It also confirms that if we didn’t know it before, we certainly know now that invasive species are right on our doorstep . ... It’s critical for us at this point to make sure that we can protect the lake from invasive species.”
Stalter said the latest finding offered authorities an opportunity.
“We’re presented with a bit of an opportunity now with the deep drawdown to go out and search in a way we wouldn’t normally be able to do,” Stalter said. “So in the next couple of weeks, now that the water is beginning to go down and the shoreline is being exposed, our plan is to go out and search critical areas ourselves.”
Authority official plans to work with local municipalities and organizations in the exploration.
The authority has added a section to its website where residents can contribute information about potential mussel locations and urge residents who see “anything that might be a zebra mussel” to email a picture, location, and contact information to science@candlewood lakeauthority.org.