Boaters urged to ‘clean, drain and dry’ to stop spread of aquatic invasive species

The Fourth of July holiday provides numerous opportunities for Texans throughout the state to enjoy the summer sun on the water. During the holiday festivities, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) urges boaters and paddlers to do their part to protect Texas lakes from aquatic invasive species during the heart of boating season.

“While we want everyone to have a great time, we also want to avoid giving harmful invasive species free rides to new lakes,” said Brian Van Zee, TPWD Inland Fisheries regional director.

In addition to helping prevent harm to aquatic ecosystems, water infrastructure and the recreational experience at lakes, boaters should clean, drain and dry their boat – it’s the law. Transporting prohibited aquatic invasive species in Texas is illegal. Boaters must drain all water — which could contain microscopic invasive species larvae that can’t be seen with the naked eye — from their boat and onboard receptacles, including bait buckets, before leaving or approaching a body of fresh water. They must also remove all invasive plants from the boat and trailer before leaving a lake.

Two of the biggest threats to Texas lakes, giant salvinia and zebra mussels, continue to spread to new areas in Texas. In addition, boaters can introduce or spread other highly invasive species, including water hyacinth, crested and yellow floating heart and quagga mussels—or others not yet found in Texas.

Giant salvinia, a highly invasive, free-floating aquatic fern that can double its coverage area in a week, can produce thick surface mats that impact the ecosystem and aquatic life and make fishing, boating, swimming and other water recreation nearly impossible.

Giant salvinia is currently present on 26 East Texas lakes and numerous rivers, creeks and marshes between Houston and Beaumont. While TPWD efforts have kept giant salvinia from limiting angling or boating access in Texas public waters, they could still hitchhike from one lake to another on a boat, trailer or other equipment.

Zebra mussels, a non-native shellfish that attaches to hard surfaces, pose a significant threat to our lakes and our economy. These invasive mussels cause costly damage to boats and infrastructure for water supply and control, alter lake ecosystems and cause harm to native aquatic life. They also litter shorelines with hazardous, sharp shells that impact lakefront recreation.

Zebra mussels are now found in 38 Texas lakes across seven river basins, as well as in reaches downstream of infested lakes. TPWD and partners monitor numerous at-risk lakes around the state for early detection of zebra and closely related quagga mussels. Once they’ve been introduced and established in a lake, nothing can be done to control or eradicate them.

“Zebra mussels and quagga mussels can be attached to boats or even carried by anchors or plants clinging to boats,” said Monica McGarrity, TPWD senior scientist for aquatic invasive species. “Microscopic zebra mussel larvae can also be transported in residual water in the boat. Taking just a few minutes to clean, drain and dry boats can make a huge difference in our efforts to prevent further spread of this highly damaging species and harm to Texas lakes.”