AUSTIN – Invasive zebra mussels have been discovered in Grapevine Lake, a popular outdoor recreation destination located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
On June 22, a team led by Christopher Churchill, Ph.D. from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Texas Water Science Center found a juvenile zebra mussel attached to a sampler on the southern end of the reservoir. In addition, plankton samples collected by the USGS in May revealed the presence of a microscopic larva. Follow up surveys conducted by TPWD at marinas and along the shoreline failed to document any additional juvenile or adult zebra mussels. Thus, it appears this is a new introduction and both agencies will continue monitoring the lake closely.
“With the boating season in full swing and the busy Fourth of July holiday right around the corner, it’s very important for all boaters to understand that if they are going to be enjoying the lake they need to clean, drain and dry their boat and equipment every time they leave the water – it’s not just the right thing to do, it’s the law,” said Brian Van Zee, TPWD Inland Fisheries Regional Director.
Currently throughout the Trinity River Basin, one lake is classified as suspect, meaning zebra mussels or their larvae have been positively identified one time in the lake (Lake Ray Hubbard), five lakes are now classified as positive, meaning zebra mussels or their larvae have been documented more than once (Lakes Grapevine, Lavon, Richland Chambers, Worth and Fishing Hole Lake) and five more lakes are classified as infested, meaning they have an established, reproducing population (Lakes Bridgeport, Eagle Mountain, Lewisville, Livingston and Ray Roberts).
Grapevine Lake is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District. Primarily built for the purposes of flood control