'Reason to roll up our sleeves': Zebra mussels found in Manitoba generating station

Zebra mussels are spreading to more than just waterways in Manitoba.

The invasive species has now been found in a provincial generating station.

In October, boats covered in zebra mussels were pulled out of the water in Lake Winnipeg.

On Monday, politicians and scientists held a press conference to announce more plans to inspect and decontaminate boats, and raise awareness about the growing problem.

Zebra mussels are known to threaten aquatic life, clog pipes and have been linked to increases in toxic blue-green algae.

Manitoba Hydro is concerned about the invasive species. This month, it found two zebra mussels at the Selkirk Generating Station.

Hydro has monitored zebra mussels at five generating stations since the late 1990s, including: Great Falls, Pine Falls, Seven Sisters, McArthur and Selkirk Generating Station.

In 2013, the testing expanded to four more sites in the north basin of Lake Winnipeg, including Playgreen Lake, south of Jenpeg Generating Station and Cedar Lake, south of Grand Rapids Generating Station. It also started monitoring sites at 2-Mile Channel and Warren Landing.

“They have the potential to clog intakes and restrict water flows through pipes. In some cases, utilities in eastern Canada, they have to clean those pipes out periodically and scrape those mussels away," said Scott Powell with Manitoba Hydro.

In summer 2014, the province poured liquid potash into Lake Winnipeg in an effort to choke out the invasive species.

Additionally, over the past two summers, the province provided inspection and decontamination units.

Still zebra mussels are on the move.

"It's not just a reason to throw up our hands, it's a reason to roll up our sleeves," said Alexis Kanu with the Lake Winnipeg Foundation.

The province was first alerted about zebra mussels in 2009 when they were found in Minnesota.

In 2013, they were discovered in Lake Winnipeg. Two years later, the mussels were also found in the Red River and Cedar Lake.

Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Tom Nevakshonoff said the province’s goal now is to “prevent the spread to the rest of the lakes in Manitoba.”

The province is home to about 100,000 lakes.

There is evidence zebra mussels can filter water, which could be a good thing for Manitoba; however, the province’s aquatic invasive species specialist, Candace Parks, doesn't buy it.

“It may make the water clearer,” said Parks. “(But) zebra mussels are selective feeders, so it could make it worse.”