[Paddlewise] Kayaking with Zebra Mussels

Zebra mussels have invaded some of the waters in Minnesota, and the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is requesting that all watercraft
being moved from one body of water to another be thoroughly cleaned. These
freshwater mussels are an alien species from Eurasia that has no natural
enemies in North America. They outcompete native species for food, grow
fast, clog intake pipes, and cut swimmers' feet. They filter food out of
water so efficiently that the clarity of the water column improves
noticeably, but this in turn promotes weed growth. In short, they are a
significant nuisance to human beings and a threat to native ecologies.

 

The DNR recommends cleaning hulls, bilges, live wells, and motors of boats
being moved from one lake to another using hot water or even steam cleaning.
One recommended method is to take the boat through a car wash. A big problem
is that though adult zebra mussels are fairly easily seen, the free-swimming
larvae are not.  So, does anyone have any advice on cleaning kayaks of zebra
mussels? I am particularly concerned about built-in bilge pumps. There being
no easy way to drain our built-in foot-operated pumps, I am concerned about
transporting zebra mussel larvae inside them. I don't even know whether the
inside of a built-in pump ever dries out during storage.

 

Oh, the DNR also recommends drying your boat at least five days before
putting it in another body of water, though adult zebra mussels have been
observed in the lab to survive ten days out of water.

 

Chuck Holst
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