Truman Lake cove closed for Zebra Mussel Treatment

KANSAS CITY, Mo.— U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Missouri Department of Conservation Officials are working together to try and prevent the spread of Zebra mussels in Truman Lake. 

Zebra Mussels were discovered on the Grand River Arm of Truman Lake adjacent to the Tightwad boat launching ramp earlier this month. Therefore the cove located adjacent to Sky Village known as County Line Boat Ramp will be closed beginning Sunday evening, Sept, 29 for approximately 48-72 hours in order to execute the treatment.

This is considered a point source infestation because mussels had been scraped into piles from a boat prior to the boat being launched. The cove where the Zebra mussels were discovered will be treated with copper sulfate.

It is unusual to discover adult zebra mussels in a body of water that were recently introduced and were not present in the cove prior to the introduction event. These circumstances provide a good opportunity to eradicate the zebra mussels before they become established. Most of the time zebra mussels are already established when they are discovered in a body of water.

The Corps and MDC will cooperate to treat the affected cove with copper sulfate (CuSO4) at the labeled rate on Monday, September 30.

Copper sulfate treatment is a safe treatment that is often used for algae control and was used to eradicate zebra mussel in Offutt Lake, NE.  The Missouri Department of Agriculture was consulted to ensure that the necessary pesticide clearances were obtained.  The treated cove will be closed for all uses for the required time period.

There is the potential for a fish kill, but every precaution will be taken to limit the extent of any potential fish kill.  The minimal amount of funds needed to purchase and apply the chemical could save much time and cost in future damages that an established population of zebra mussels could cause the lake in the future.

For information on how to stop the spread of Zebra Mussels visit www.ProtectYourWaters.net

For questions, contact the Kansas City District Public Affairs Office at (816) 389-3486.