Parks Canada preparing to isolate cove in Manitoba where zebra mussels were found
A containment curtain is expected to be installed next week in Clear Lake as Parks Canada officials hope to prevent the spread of zebra mussels.
Last week, Parks Canada said an adult zebra mussel was found in the part of Clear Lake known as Boat Cove.
"Parks Canada snorkelers found on partial shell and one living, adult-sized zebra mussel attached to a rock," Parks Canada previously said in a news bulletin.
The next step for officials is to hopefully prevent the spread of the mussels outside of the cove.
This means a containment curtain will be set up – stretching from the cove to the pier. Parts of the curtain have already arrived, with the remaining pieces set to show up on July 29 and a dive team will immediately start deploying the curtain.
"This work is being done in preparation for a potential eradication method," said Dameon Wall the external relations manager with Parks Canada. "However, I must stress that at this time a decision about whether to proceed with an attempted eradication has not been made. Parks Canada is awaiting the results of further visual surveys and water sampling from other areas of the lake, before determining the best course of action."
Wall said if the mussels have been contained, the goal is to treat the area with potash and eradicate the mussels.
Tim Town, the ecologist team lead for Parks Canada, said if this is the eventual path they take, it is quite an effective treatment.
"They've done quite a bit of testing in regards to the effect on other species, and it's fairly targeted, especially at the concentrations that would be required for treatment in our case," said Town.
He said they would need 100 milligrams per litre and at that level, it would only target freshwater mussels.
Wall noted if the zebra mussels have spread beyond the cove, then potash treatment would become less effective depending on how far they have spread.
Town said to date, no other samples from the lake have come back with any indications of zebra mussels other than in the Boat Cove area.
"We're pretty confident that things are still fairly isolated in terms of the establishment of zebra mussels," said Town. He did note, however, that they are still waiting for around 78 test results to come back.
Wall is reminding people that no watercraft are allowed in Clear Lake, and no matter what body of water people go to, rules have to be followed.
"The requirement under provincial rules is that you have to clean, drain and dry stuff before you leave the site, and certainly before it gets into any other water body," said Wall. "Minimizing the potential spread is everybody's responsibility."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7028745.1725663146!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Pakistani citizen arrested in Canada, charged with plotting terrorist attack in New York
A Pakistani citizen who resided in Canada has been charged with plotting a terrorist attack at a Jewish centre in New York City.
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick dies after collapsing outside Winnipeg courthouse
The Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has died after collapsing outside of the Manitoba courthouse Friday afternoon, according to multiple sources.
Woman who was denied a liver transplant, after review highlighted alcohol use, has died
Questions are being raised about the case of a 36-year-old Ontario woman who died of liver failure after she was rejected for a life-saving liver transplant after a medical review highlighted her prior alcohol use.
Montreal man given $664 fine for tying dog to parking meter while grabbing a croissant
A Montreal man who tied his dog to a parking meter while he entered a bakery is now facing a hefty fine for breaking a law he had no idea existed.
Canada-wide warrant issued for woman in fatal Toronto shooting
A 36-year-old woman is wanted for first-degree murder following a shooting near an after-hours club in Toronto earlier this month.
Molson Coors ends diversity, equity and inclusion policies, moves to 'broader view'
Brewing company Molson Coors says it is dropping its diversity, equity and inclusion policies and taking a 'broader view' in which all employees know they are welcome.
Selena Gomez is a billionaire
Selena Gomez can now add becoming a billionaire to her long list of achievements.
Teen girl charged with attempted murder after student set on fire at Saskatoon high school
A 14-year-old girl faces an attempted murder charge after a 15-year-old girl was doused in a flammable substance and set on fire at a Saskatoon high school Thursday.
Victim of Vancouver stranger attacks had surgery to reattach severed hand: police
The surviving victim of a pair of stranger attacks in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday has undergone surgery to reattach his hand after it was severed in the assault, according to police.