Help stop pollution of Utah waters

Things like spreading disease and invasive species in Utah waters never used to be much of a concern to those who enjoy recreational opportunities such as boating and fishing.

Prior to 1991, whirling disease was thought to be contagious only to dancers. Prior to January of this year, few, if anyone here in Utah knew the slightest thing about zebra mussels.

Now the plea is going out, asking boaters and fishermen to not only learn as much as they can about the disease and mussels, but to become a willing partner in stopping their spread.

Whirling disease hit Utah in 1991 and since then has spread pretty much statewide. It is also responsible for closing down three hatcheries and the destruction of millions of fish. One hatchery has reopened, and work is ongoing at the other two.

The zebra mussel was found in Lake Mead in January. Just how it got there is pure speculation. The accepted explanation is that an unaware boat owner brought a craft from the Great Lakes, where mussels are found, and launched it in Mead. Lake Powell officials heard of a boat from the Great Lakes area headed their way and were able to stop and inspect the craft. It carried zebra mussels.

If the mussels will ever make the jump from Mead to Lake Powell is anyone's guess, but the possibility is there. All it would take is a boat with mussels attached to be launched in the lake.

But the fact is, they are spreading to waters across the United States and are not going away.

The Web site www.protect@protectyourwaters.net has a library of stories on the spread of invasive species.

Maryland, for example, continues to kill fish in an attempt to stop whirling disease.

Washington officials report finding four boats with zebra mussels attached, and are certain that many more boats have passed through undetected with mussels attached, which raises the likelihood of contamination.

It's likely, too, that none of the boat owners knew what they had aboard. Or even knew what a zebra mussel was. Or that by launching their boat they could be sentencing the water and the fish in it to some serious consequences. I'd hate to think that someone would knowingly contaminate a body of water.

To learn more about stopping zebra mussels from Utah waters, visit www.wayneswords.com. It outlines precautions and measures to take to kill the hitchhikers, and procedures boat owners need to follow to launch at Lake Powell.