Live zebra mussel found in Clear Lake-immediate steps are being taken

Information Release from Parks Canada July 19, 2024:

On July 17, 2024, while conducting a visual survey, Parks Canada snorkellers found one partial shell and one living, adult sized zebra mussel attached to a rock. Water samples collected from Boat Cove from June 19-27, 2024, have also tested positive for environmental DNA from zebra mussels. This evidence shows zebra mussels are building a presence in Clear Lake.

Next steps:

An impermeable containment curtain is expected to arrive the week of July 22, 2024. This curtain will be deployed from Boat Cove to the pier and will isolate the area where the zebra mussel was found from the rest of the lake.

The Boat Cove area will be closed to the public during the installation of the containment curtain. Once installed, the containment curtain is not expected to impact the operations of the tour boat The Martese, or the ability of park visitors to use the lake for swimming or fishing.

The decision on the use of potash as a potential eradication method is pending the results of further visual surveys and water sampling from other areas of the lake. Parks Canada will review the evidence and determine the best course of action as this information becomes available. Any decision will be widely communicated before actions are taken. Health Canada considers open-water potash applications at concentrations needed to kill zebra mussels safe for swimming.

The temporary watercraft management measures for Clear Lake remain in place.

The ecology of Clear Lake is a top priority for Parks Canada, and staff remain committed to working with members of the Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation and others to safeguard the long-term health of the waters of Clear Lake. Parks Canada is also committed to minimizing the impact to the natural environment and to the local tourism industry economy. Parks Canada is moving forward with a $100,000 contribution to enhance the visitor experience and tourism offer in the Riding Mountain community. Parks Canada and partners will share more information as it becomes available.

Parks Canada thanks the community for its ongoing support for the aquatic invasive species program in Riding Mountain National Park and for the commitment to working together to attempt to further identify and possibly eradicate a population of zebra mussels in Clear Lake.