BRENT THEEDE AWARDED 2013 WETLAND MANAGER OF THE YEAR BY KANSAS DUCKS UNLIMITED

McPherson Valley Wetlands manager recognized for moist soil management practices

PRATT – Managing McPherson Valley Wetlands and Marion Wildlife Area is how Brent

Theede earns his living, but for this Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) employee, his job is more than a paycheck- it’s a passion. At the 2014 State Ducks Unlimited Convention in Overland Park in February, Theede’s passion was formally recognized and awarded during Saturday’s award ceremony as Theede was presented with the 2013 Wetland Manager of the Year Award. There to help celebrate was Theede’s supervisor, KDWPT public lands regional supervisor, Stuart Schrag. It was Schrag that nominated Theede for the award, and according to him, Theede was nothing short of deserving.

“Brent exemplifies the professionalism and dedication needed for proper moist soil management,” says Schrag. “Since starting at the Wetlands, Brent has diligently devoted his efforts in improving the area for waterfowl of all species and the sportsmen who pursue them.”

“There is a ‘feast or famine’ uniqueness to wetland management,” says Schrag. “The months, and sometimes years, of tediously maintaining dikes, repairing water control structures, clearing trees, spraying noxious and invasive plants, removing troublesome beavers, and running and checking pumps all hours of the night can finally pay off in one rain event, and 2013 was a ‘feast’ year.” Schrag went on to explain that heavy late-summer rains flooded the wetlands leaving pristine conditions heading into the early teal season. The fruits of Theede’s labor were evident within just the first two and a half weeks of the regular duck season, and by season end, McPherson Valley Wetlands had experienced a season of record-breaking harvest numbers.

“Around 3,370 hunters harvested 6,010 ducks for the 2013-2014 season, shattering the current record by 2,800 ducks,” says Schrag. “While the rain played a major factor, if not for Brent’s dedication and professional standards in moist soil management, everything would have not come together to set the environment for overall success and a record-breaking year.”

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ZEBRA MUSSELS CONFIRMED IN COFFEY COUNTY LAKE

Zebra Mussel

EMPORIA – Officials with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and the Wolf Creek Generating Station announced Friday that zebra mussels have been found in Coffey County Lake. Officials knew it was a matter of time before zebra mussels appeared in the lake near Burlington because the aquatic nuisance species (ANS) had been detected in Marion Reservoir three years ago. The Cottonwood River flows from Marion Reservoir into the Neosho River, which then fills John Redmond Reservoir. Coffey County Lake, which is the cooling lake for Kansas’ only nuclear power plant, gets its water from John Redmond. The larval stage of zebra mussels, called veligers, are microscopic and free-floating in water. Transmission downstream from an established population is the only method of spreading zebra mussels that is inevitable.


Wolf Creek officials were prepared for this event and have implemented procedures and equipment to ensure that zebra mussels won’t interfere with the generating station’s operations.


Zebra mussels are small, bi-valve mollusks with striped shells. They are native to the Black and Caspian seas of Western Asia and Eastern Europe and have been spread across the world via shipping. They were discovered in Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River in 1988. Zebra mussels quickly spread through out the Great Lakes and to many inland rivers including the Mississippi, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Arkansas and Hudson. They first appeared in Kansas in 2003 when they were discovered in El Dorado Reservoir. Public education programs were designed to inform boaters about the dangers of zebra mussels in our waters and ways to prevent spreading them. However, zebra mussels have been confirmed in more the a dozen Kansas lakes in the past nine years. Moving water in boats and bait buckets was identified as a likely vector and recently, KDWPT established stringent regulations regarding the use of wild-caught bait, as well as prohibiting the movement of live fish from lakes where zebra mussels have been found.


Although related, zebra mussels differ from our native mussels in several important categories. Perhaps the most important is their ability to produce very large populations in a short time. Unlike native mussels, zebra mussels do not require a host fish to reproduce. A large female zebra mussel is capable of producing 1 million eggs during the reproductive season. Once fertilized, eggs develop into microscopic veligers. These veligers cannot be seen by the naked eye and can be contained by the thousands in very small quantities of water. Veligers passively float within the water for up to two weeks before they settle out as young mussels. These young mussels quickly grow to adult size and reproduce during their first summer of life, thus adding to the problem of extremely dense populations.


After settling, zebra mussels develop byssal threads that allow the shells to attach to hard surfaces such as rocks, piers, and flooded timber. They also attach themselves to pipes, water intake structures, boat hulls, propellers, and lower units of out board motors. As populations continue to increase in these areas, they can clog intake pipes and prevent water treatment plants and electrical generating plants from drawing water. In 2012, two Kansas communities, Council Grove and Osage City, experienced water shortages because of zebra mussel infestations before water intake structures could be cleaned up. Removing large quantities of zebra mussels to ensure adequate water supplies can be labor-intensive and costly.


Zebra mussels are just one of the non-native aquatic species that threaten our waters and native wildlife. Boaters and anglers are reminded to follow basic precautions to stop the spread:

• Clean, drain and dry boats and equipment between uses

• Wild-caught bait may only be used in the lake or pool where it was caught

• Live fish may not be moved from waters infested with zebra mussels or other aquatic nuisance species

• Livewells and bilges must be drained and drain plugs removed from all vessels prior to transport from any Kansas water on a public highway

STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN AIMS TO STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

People can help stop Asian carp, zebra mussels, other species that threaten Kansas’ waters
TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) recently launched a statewide campaign, Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers, to educate Kansans about the environmental and economic threats that aquatic nuisance species (ANS) such as zebra mussels and Asian carp pose to the state’s aquatic resources. Aquatic nuisance species are animals and plants not native to Kansas that can threaten lake and river ecology, harm native or desirable species, and interfere with the state’s economy. They often hitchhike with unsuspecting people, so an informed, watchful public can help protect Kansas waters.

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers features animated Asian carp hitching a ride in a boat and includes a new website, ProtectKSWaters.org; billboards; print advertisements; and TV and radio spots. It aims to alert the public to the threat of ANS and encourages people to visit ProtectKSWaters.org, where they can learn more and use what they learn to help prevent the spread of ANS.

“Some people may not realize that these non-native species can affect them even if they don’t fish or boat,” says Jason Goeckler, Kansas ANS program coordinator. “Zebra mussels will attach themselves to anything below the water line. In addition to damaging boating and fishing equipment, they’ll foul rocky shorelines with their sharp, dime-sized shells, making it hard to walk or wade along the shore. They can also clog water intakes and damage power-generating facilities. In early May, the city of Council Grove experienced a temporary water shortage due to a thick layer of zebra mussels coating the inside of the intake tank at Council Grove City Lake.

“Asian carp consume as much as 40 percent of their body weight each day, competing with native fish for food and threatening the diversity and quality of other aquatic life,” Goeckler continues. “When young, Asian carp resemble native minnows and shad, which is one reason we adjusted our bait fish regulations to limit the use of wild-caught bait fish. When grown, Asian carp can weigh as much as 100 pounds, and they are prone to leaping out of the water when disturbed, posing a real physical threat to boaters.”

In an attempt to stem the spread of ANS, the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission passed new regulations effective Jan. 1 of this year. The new regulations prohibit the movement of wild-caught live bait fish between bodies of water or up streams. They also require that vessels being removed from all waters in the state have livewells and bilges drained and drain plugs removed before being transported on any public highway.

“We realize that the new regulations require anglers and boaters to modify the way they fish and boat today,” Goeckler says. “But if we don’t take these steps, the way that we enjoy our waterways in the future will drastically change.”

For more information about aquatic nuisance species, go online to ProtectKSWaters.org or contact Goeckler at 620-342-0658 or jason.goeckler@ksoutdoors.com.

ZEBRA MUSSELS DISCOVERED AT KANOPOLIS RESERVOIR

Image via Wikipedia

CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY boats and other equipment before moving from one lake to another
MARQUETTE — During a periodic inspection and dewatering of the outlet works at Kanopolis Reservoir on Sept. 26, officials with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers discovered an adult zebra mussel in the stilling basin. Sampling of water in the lake revealed the presence of zebra mussel veligers, the larval form of the mussel. This population was detected at a very early stage, so it will be some time before the full impacts of the infestation will be seen. However, the discovery marks the 14th Kansas reservoir infested by this invasive species, which disappoints KDWPT aquatic nuisance species biologist Jason Goeckler because he knows the spread can be prevented.

“Some of the recent discoveries in eastern Kansas reservoirs were expected because zebra mussels naturally move downstream from infested lakes,” Goeckler explained. “Like the infestation at Melvern Reservoir earlier in the year, the introduction to Kanopolis could have been prevented. We can and must work together to prevent further spread of aquatic nuisance species. Lake users need to take a few minutes to follow the basic clean, drain, and dry precautions.”

Boats that are moored in a zebra mussel lake and then moved without taking precautions pose the highest danger for spreading zebra mussels. Western lakes have not been at a very high risk because of their lack of proximity to zebra mussel waters, but now that these two regional lakes both have growing populations of the mussels, lake users should be on guard more than ever. Costs to public water users continue to go up as each lake becomes infested.

All un-infested Kansas waters are under continual zebra mussel surveillance by KDWPT staff. The veligers in Kanopolis and other lakes are too small to see with the naked eye and suspend for several weeks in the water before sinking to the bottom and attaching to a hard surface. While they are suspended in the larval stage, zebra mussels can be easily transported downstream in flowing water or with water in boats and bait buckets and through other recreational activities.

Zebra mussels are native to the Black and Caspian seas in Europe. They are believed to have been transported to the Great Lakes in the ballasts of transoceanic ships. Since first being discovered in 1988, zebra mussels have spread quickly to other waters in the Midwest. Control is expensive, and there is no way to eradicate them once they become established.

While an adult zebra mussel is only about the size of a dime, the species poses a threat to native Kansas fish and aquatic animals. One adult female can produce as many as 1 million eggs per year, and zebra mussel colonies quickly become quite dense, attaching to any hard surface, including native mussels, crayfish, turtles, boats, docks, as well as water intake structures. They even attach to other zebra mussels, creating layered colonies up to 6 inches thick. Densities of more than 1 million zebra mussels per square meter have been documented in Lake Erie. In addition to the threat they pose to the environment, native species, and water recreation, zebra mussels cost water suppliers, power plants, and other water-related businesses $1 billion each year — costs everyone pays.

Adult zebra mussels are filter feeders, and an infestation can dramatically disrupt a lake’s food chain by removing plankton native fish rely on. KDWPT biologists have documented decreases in body condition and abundance in several game fish species after zebra mussel infestations. Zebra mussel feeding habits may also increase the potential for blue-green algae blooms, which can be toxic to humans and animals. Dense colonies of zebra mussels make wading and swimming along shorelines dangerous because of their sharp shells. When zebra mussels die, the odor and shell fragments that wash up make any shoreline activities unpleasant.

With this latest discovery, KDWPT will increase local outreach efforts through signage and information materials in an attempt to educate lake users about the dangers of spreading zebra mussels. All lake users are asked to help stop the spread of zebra mussels to another water body. Goeckler reminds all anglers and boaters to remember three simple rules: CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY. Inspect vessels for any zebra mussels before leaving the boat ramp area. (Zebra mussels are on the prohibited species list, which means they can’t be possessed alive. Having a live zebra mussel attached to your boat is a violation.). Drain all water from the boat’s livewell, baitwell, and sump area. Drain any bait buckets, as well — never pour live bait into the lake; dispose of it on land. Dry the boat and trailer for at least five days before putting them in another lake, or wash the boat and trailer with 140-degree water.

“It’s important that lake users take the threat of aquatic nuisance species seriously,” Goeckler added. “If their spread is allowed to continue, our water-based recreation opportunities may be changed forever.”

Zebra mussels are just one of several invasive species that threaten Kansas waters. Prevent their spread by following the CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY procedures and never move water or fish from one body of water to another. For more information about aquatic nuisance species, go towww.kdpwt.state.ks.us and click on the “STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS” window on the lower right side of the homepage.

FISHING PLACES

ZEBRA MUSSELS DISCOVERED AT TWO MORE KANSAS RESERVOIRS

Image via Wikipedia

Boaters reminded of threat and prevention steps before holiday weekend

EMPORIA – On Wednesday, June 29, 2011, officials with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that zebra mussels have been found in Council Grove Reservoir in Morris County and Melvern Reservoir in Osage County. Adding the twelfth and thirteenth Kansas reservoirs to the infested list disappoints KDWPT aquatic nuisance species biologist Jason Goeckler because he knows the spread can be prevented.

“We expected Council Grove Reservoir because zebra mussels naturally move downstream, and they were found in Council Grove City Lake last July,” Goeckler explained. “The Melvern infestation is a different story because it could have been prevented. I still think we can prevent further spread of aquatic nuisance species if lake users will follow a few basic precautions.”

All un-infested Kansas waters are under continual zebra mussel surveillance by KDWPT staff. A day after biologists found zebra mussel larvae, called veligers, while sampling Council Grove Reservoir, a lake user found a rock with a single adult zebra mussel attached. Within days, both veligers and adult mussels were found at Melvern Reservoir. Veligers are too small to see with the naked eye and suspend for several weeks in the water before sinking to the bottom and attaching to a hard surface. While they are suspended in the larval stage, zebra mussels can be easily transported in flowing water or water in boats, bait buckets and through other recreational activities.

Zebra mussels are native to the Black and Caspian seas in Europe. They are believed to have been transported to the Great Lakes in the ballasts of transoceanic ships. Since first being discovered in 1988, zebra mussels have spread quickly to other waters in the Midwest. Control is expensive and there is no way to eradicate them once they become established.

While an adult zebra mussel is only about the size of a dime, the species poses a threat to our native fish and aquatic animals. One adult female can produce up to 1 million eggs per year, and zebra mussel colonies quickly become quite dense, attaching to any hard surface, including native mussels, crayfish, turtles, boats, docks, as well as water intake structures. They even attach to other zebra mussels, creating layered colonies up to 6 inches thick. Densities of more than 1 million zebra mussels per square meter have been documented in Lake Erie. In addition to the threat they pose to our environment, native species and water recreation, zebra mussels will cost water suppliers, power plants and other water-related businesses $1 billion each year -- costs we all help pay.

Adult zebra mussels are filter feeders, and an infestation can dramatically disrupt a lake’s food chain by removing plankton native fish rely on. KDWPT biologists have documented decreases in body condition and abundance in several game fish species after zebra mussel infestations. Zebra mussel feeding habits may also increase the potential for blue-green algae blooms, which can be toxic to humans and animals. Dense colonies of zebra mussels make wading and swimming along shorelines dangerous because of their sharp shells. When zebra mussels die, the odor and shell fragments that wash up make any shoreline activities unpleasant.

With these latest discoveries, KDWPT will increase local outreach efforts through signage and information materials in an attempt to educate lake users about the dangers of spreading zebra mussels. All lake users are asked to help stop the spread of zebra mussels to another water body. Goeckler reminds all anglers and boaters to remember three simple rules: CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY. Inspect your vessel for any zebra mussels before you leave the boat ramp area. (Zebra mussels are on the prohibited species list, which means they can’t be possessed alive. Having a live zebra mussel attached to your boat is a violation.). Drain all water from the boat’s livewell, baitwell and sump area (Drain any bait buckets, as well – never pour live bait into the lake, dispose of it on land.) Dry the boat and trailer for at least five days before putting them in another lake, or wash the boat and trailer with 140-degree water.

“It’s important that lake users take the threat of aquatic nuisance species seriously,” Goeckler added. “If their spread is allowed to continue, our water-based recreation opportunities may be changed forever.”
Zebra mussels are just one of several invasive species that threaten our waters. Prevent their spread by following the CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY procedures and never move water or fish from one body of water to another. For more information about aquatic nuisance species, go towww.kdpwt.state.ks.us and click on the “STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS” window on the lower left of the Homepage.