Amanda Guerra, NBCDFW.com
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials are urging Fourth of July holiday boaters to take precautions to prevent the spread of the invasive zebra mussel.
"Zebra mussels have the potential to be an even greater threat to Texas freshwater resources than invasive aquatic plans, such as giant salvinia, and toxic organisms, such as golden alga," said Phil Durocher, director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Inland Fisheries Division.
In March the North Texas Municipal Water District initiated conservation plans due to an infestation of invasive zebra mussels at Lake Texoma. Zebra mussels were attaching themselves to pipes and other equipment used to pump water, which increased operating and maintenance costs for the lake.
Biologists from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will speak Friday, July 1 at the Bass Pro Shop at Lake Ray Hubbard in Garland about the environmental and economic dangers zebra mussels pose. They will demonstrate how boaters should clean their vessels to prevent zebra mussels from spreading from Lake Texoma into other Texas lakes and streams.
The Texas wildlife department has a hot line to report suspected sightings of the pesky bi-valves, 1-800-792-4263