By Sarah Klein
Zebra Mussels (CENTRE FOR GREAT LAKES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES)
Manitoba Conservation has completed its assault on zebra mussels in Lake Winnipeg, but will be ramping up monitoring of the situation in the coming weeks.
Zebra mussels began appearing in harbours this spring, forcing the province to use liquid potash as a way of treating the problem.
“We took the bold step to treat the four affected harbours this spring and those treatments went very well but that was only the first step in the battle against zebra mussels,” said Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh. “Now it’s time for all lake users to join the fight and increase their vigilance to ensure we don’t give these intruders a certain foothold in Lake Winnipeg.”
The Winnipeg Beach, Gimli, Arnes and Balsam Bay harbours were treated with liquid potash and all testing indicates that no zebra mussels have survived.
Watercraft inspection teams with decontamination units will be stationed at key locations this summer at entry points and busy launch sites such as Gimli, Winnipeg Beach and Selkirk Park, to create awareness and reduce the chance of further transfer.
