Rensselaer Researchers Discover Zebra Mussels in Northern End of Lake George
Zebra mussels, an invasive species that can choke drinking water supply pipes and harm native growth, were found in Lake George for the second time this year by researchers at Rensselaer’s Darrin Fresh Water Institute (DFWI). The scientists found three settled juvenile zebra mussels on traps that were removed on Nov. 4 from the Ticonderoga Boat Launch on the northern end of Lake George, located in Warren County, N.Y.
New traps had been installed at the Ticonderoga Boat Launch site in May. Researchers believe that the juvenile mussels are no more than 5 months old. This is the first time settled juvenile mussels had been found on the traps placed in locations throughout Lake George since collection began in 1997. Zebra mussels can be introduced to a clean body of water in a variety of ways, for example by buckets and bilge and on the hulls of boats.
“Although there are a number of factors indicating that Lake George provides a less-than-favorable environment for zebra mussel colonization, this new discovery of juvenile zebra mussels at the Ticonderoga Boat Launch site raises concern,” said Sandra Nierzwicki-Bauer, director of Darrin Fresh Water Institute and professor of biology at Rensselaer. “If steps are not taken to prevent the continual introduction of zebra mussels into the lake, it is possible that Lake George will eventually become colonized by this invasive species.”
In response to the findings, DFWI researchers will continue inspection and monitoring of targeted sites on the lake, and work with area organizations to determine the appropriate course of action. DFWI scientists removed more than 800 mussels from the Cleverdale area in Queensbury, on the southern end of the lake, in July.
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