Invasive zebra mussels found in N. Texas lakes
FORT WORTH — Zebra mussels, the invasive species that have clogged pipes and littered shorelines with razor-sharp shells across much of the United States, have arrived in North Texas in time for the holiday weekend.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department confirmed Wednesday that the mussels have been found in Lake Worth and Eagle Mountain Lake in Tarrant County.
“I think we all knew this was going to happen eventually, but we hoped it would take longer to progress from Lake Bridgeport downstream into these lakes,” said Fort Worth Water Department spokeswoman Mary Gugliuzza. “We were prepared to address it. The news today means we’ll have to address it sooner.”
Lake Bridgeport, Lake Worth and Eagle Mountain Lake are located in the Trinity River basin. The mussels have also been found at Lake Livingston in East Texas, which is also on the Trinity.
Gugliuzza said a TPWD official found zebra mussel shells at the Arrow S Boat ramp near the Loop 820 bridge.
She said recent heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding along the Trinity River may have contributed to the infestation of the Tarrant County lakes.
“We knew there was a strong possibility they could move downstream to Eagle Mountain and Lake Worth,” Gugliuzza said. “The recent flooding events may have helped expedite their move.”
The mussels can also be transported by boats, and state law requires that boaters drain all water from their boats before leaving or launching into a lake to help keep them from spreading.
“Boaters’ actions are absolutely vital to help prevent zebra mussels from spreading to any new river basins. Three simple steps can help stop them and help you stay within the law,” said Brian Van Zee, Inland Fisheries Regional Director for TPWD.
Besides clogging publicwater intake pipes and boat motors, the razor-sharp mussels negatively impact the natural ecosystem of lakes.