Zebra mussels discovered in Pomona Reservoir

Invasive, sharp-shelled mollusk discovered in ManagementPark cove

Zebra Mussels

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has confirmed the presence of invasive zebra mussels in Pomona Reservoir inOsageCounty. A small adult group was discovered on a single rock by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) staff on September 23 in ManagementPark cove near the south end of the dam. KDWPT staff found more zebra mussels the next day. KDWPT is sampling other parts of the lake to determine if the population has spread. Twenty-three Kansas lakes now have confirmed zebra mussel populations. Other reservoirs in northeast Kansas with zebra mussel infestations include Milford, Perry, John Redmond, Clinton and Melvern.

Pomona Reservoir covers approximately 4,000 acres and is located 24 miles south of Topeka. It is managed by the USACE, and KDWPT manages the fishery. The lake, completed in 1963, is home to PomonaState Park and several USACE parks. It is a popular destination for fishing, camping, swimming, hiking, and a variety of boating and other water-related activities.

USACE and KDWPT officials stress that there is no known method to completely rid a lake of zebra mussels. If the population appears to be limited to Management Cove, officials may attempt to treat the cove within the next week to kill as many of the mussels as possible to slow their spread. The cove and boat ramp will be closed for at least 72 hours if the chemical is used. Generally, fish will move out of an area where treatments are applied. As a result, officials don’t expect a large fish kill, though there may be some mortality among fish remaining in the cove.

Officials emphasize that everyone using the lake plays a key role in stemming the spread of mussels to uninfested lakes. “This situation shows how important it is for boaters, anglers, swimmers and skiers to be aware of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) and to take precautions to prevent their spread,” said Jessica Howell, KDWPT Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator.

Prevention is the best way to avoid spreading ANS. They often travel by “hitchhiking” with unsuspecting lake-goers. “Always clean, drain, and dry boats and other equipment and don’t transfer lake water or live fish to another body of water. This can help stop the spread of not only zebra mussels, but most aquatic nuisance species that may be present,” Howell said.

The lake will be added to the list of ANS-designated waters in Kansas, and notices will be posted at various locations around the reservoir. The sharp-shelled zebra mussels attach to solid objects, so lake-goers should be careful when handling mussel-encrusted objects and when grabbing an underwater object when they can’t see what their hands may be grasping. Visitors should protect their feet when walking on underwater or shoreline rocks.

Zebra mussels are just one of the non-native aquatic species that threaten our waters and native wildlife. After using any body of water, people must remember to follow regulations and precautions that will prevent their spread:

Clean, drain and dry boats and equipment between uses

Use wild-caught bait only in the lake or pool where it was caught

Do not move live fish from waters infested with zebra mussels or other aquatic nuisance species

Drain livewells and bilges and remove drain plugs from all vessels prior to transport from any Kansas water on a public highway.

For more information about aquatic nuisance species in Kansas, report a possible ANS, or see a list of ANS-designated waters, visit ProtectKSWaters.org.