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Iowa boaters urged to help stop spread of zebra mussels

Posted at 12:09 PM, Aug 17, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-17 13:09:48-04

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is asking boat owners to take several steps to help stop the spread of invasive zebra mussels.

Zebramussels were found earlier this summer in Lake Cunningham and could force officials to drain the lake.  

Iowa boat owners are being asked to:

  • Clean all mud, plants, and animals from your boat and equipment before you leave the water.
  • Drain all the water from the boat and equipment
  • Dry everything it touched, including people and pets.
  • Avoid releasing fish, animals or plants into the water unless they came from that same body of water; and empty all unwanted bait in the trash.

Then before going to another lake or river, the Iowa DNR recommends boaters take these steps:

  • Spray down your boat with high-pressure, hot water.
  • After the spray down, let it dry for at least five days.