Reporter: Jennifer Sanders
Email Address: jennifer.sanders@kxii.com
Lake Texoma — Lake Texoma has been infested with zebra mussels for more than 2 years and now its not only affecting residents in Texoma, but across the North Texas region.
Lake Texoma — Lake Texoma has been infested with zebra mussels for more than 2 years and now its not only affecting residents in Texoma, but across the North Texas region.
You have to be close to see them, but these invasive creatures called zebra mussels are wreaking havoc on the North Texas water supply.
Biologist say while the species aren’t harmful to humans and doesn’t contaminate the water — they clog pipes and damage water supply equipment.
“This is a typical mussel oyster type animal, it filters water and takes little particulate matter out of the water,”said biologist Bruce Hysmith.
They invaded Lake Texoma more than two years ago.
Less than a week ago, Hysmith found 17 live zebra mussels, which are causing major problems for more than 60 cities in the North Texas region.
And now — reps with the North Texas Municipal Water District have implemented a water emergency plan.
The district has lost raw water supply from Lake Texoma — which accounts for more than a quarter of their water supply.
So now residents in dozens of cities around North Texas — have strict water restrictions until biologists contain the zebra mussels in the water.
“We’re doing what we had hoped to do and that is to stop the southward migration of zebra mussels in Lake Texoma,”said Hysmith.
Their doing that by not pumping water from the lake.
And getting rid of the zebra mussels isn’t an easy fix –but the biggest help to stop the spread of the species can come from boaters.
“Clean, drain and dry the boat if you’re going to Texoma from another water body, but if your going home to another water body but if you’re just going home and back to Lake Texoma not a problem,”said Hysmith.