Boaters Beware!

Zebra mussels have invaded Fanshawe Reservoir. If you are moving your boat from Fanshawe, please follow these steps to ensure you do not spread these invasive aliens:

1. Remove all visible mud, plants and animals from your boat, trailer and equipment.

2. Empty water from your boat and equipment on land.

3. Clean and/or dry your boat and equipment. Some species can survive out of water, so it is important to do one of the following:

   •  Rinse with hot tap water, or

   • Spray with high pressure water (250 psi), or

   • Dry your boat and equipment for at least five days before moving to another water body.

Photo: Center for Great Lakes and Aquatic Sciences

Zebra mussels were first discovered in Fanshawe Reservoir in 2002. Since then, the population of this non-indigenous invasive species has exploded in the reservoir. The photo below shows rocks along the shoreline coated with mussels when the reservoir was lowered.

Mussels have now been found on rocks and native mussels downstream in the Thames River all the way to Thamesville. The UTRCA has not found this species in Pittock or Wildwood Reservoirs.

Originally from Asia, Zebra Mussels have been in the Great Lakes system since 1988, and have had a major environmental and economic impact. They can decimate native mussel populations by attaching to their shells, effectively preventing them from feeding and moving about.

Check out our invasive species page.

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