1. Zebra Mussels: what we can expect
Moriya Rufer
Aquatic Ecologist
RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc

2. The Story of Pelican Lake
Zebra mussels were documented in Pelican Lake in 2009
They were likely introduced 1-2 years before 2009
In 2011 the population exploded and residents started noticing them

3. The Story of Pelican Lake
Zebra mussel population explosion
Zebra mussels discovered

4. The Story of Pelican Lake
The average annual mean transparency from is 12.4 feet
The average annual mean transparency from is 19.5 feet (7 foot improvement)

5. The Story of Pelican Lake
Zebra mussels discovered
Zebra mussel population explosion

6. The Story of Pelican Lake
Increase in transparency
Nightfishing for walleye
Plants are in deeper areas

7. The Story of Pelican Lake
Zebra mussels attach to rocks and plants.

8. Other Area Lakes - Clarity

9. Other Area Lakes - Clarity
Shallow Lake
Mean Depth: 10 ft
Max Depth: 25 ft
Shallow Lake
Mean Depth: 10 ft
Max Depth: 22 ft

10. Detroit Lake – What to Expect
Residents might not notice zebra mussels next summer in 2017
They will likely be noticeable in

11. Detroit Lake – What to Expect
In the next 1-3 years there will be very small mussels covering surfaces
Transparency will likely increase in Big Detroit
Unsure on effect of transparency in Little Detroit because it is shallow

12. Detroit Lake – What to Expect
In 5-10 years clumping could occur on sandy beaches

13. City Beach
Zebra mussel clumps can be raked up like plant fragments

14. Maintenance Zebra mussel clumps: Rake out
Boats: Moor all the way out of water
Sandbar: wear water shoes or sandals

15. Maintenance Irrigation pipes
On Pelican Lake, many use the PVC laser slotted screens that are slippery which makes it harder for the zebra mussels to attach.  Typically wiping them off a few times during the year is enough to keep it clean.
Some use copper mesh to cover the outside of the intake

16. Questions?

17. Time of Year Risk
Pelican Lake: Infested in 2009, Zebra mussel population explosion in 2011

18. Time of Year Risk
Pelican Lake: Infested in 2009, Zebra mussel population explosion in 2011
4th of July Holiday!

19. Time of Year Risk
In Pesch and Busierre’s (2014) survey of 2nd Homeowners in Central and West Central Minnesota, the highest use time of year was July.
Average number of days 2nd homes are occupied per month (n=552) from Pesch & Bussiere 2014.