From the Chanhassen Villager
By Richard Crawford editor@chanvillager.com | 0 comments
Boat inspectors at Lake Minnewashta Regional Park in Chanhassen have kept zebra mussels from entering Lake Minnewashta on two separate occasions in the past week.
According to reports, inspector Elizabeth Gruenhagen stopped a boat from entering the lake July 31 after identifying what was believed to be a zebra mussel on a boat trailer.
The ski/wake boat was attempting to enter the lake at the county’s public access during the afternoon shift.
“Almost immediately into the inspection (the inspector) found what she originally thought was a leaf, but upon further examination was certain it was a zebra mussel,” according to county reports.
The boater was coming from Gull Lake, which is known to be infested with zebra mussels. The boater was turned away and advised to decontaminate the boat.
The sample was collected and sent to the DNR for confirmation.
Sam Pertz, of the Carver County Parks Department, notified the County Board on Aug. 7 that a second incident occurred this week, involving a boater coming from Lake Minnetonka. Pertz said in the second incident the zebra mussel was found on the boat’s prop.
Carver County is providing funding for inspection programs at Lake Minnewashta, Lake Waconia, Lake Bavaria and Reitz and Hydes lakes.
The city of Chanhassen began an inspection program this season at Lake Ann, Lake Susan and Lotus Lake.
Zebra mussels have been identified in about 90 lakes in Minnesota, including Lake Minnetonka and Prior Lake.
NOTE: Inspection costs at the Lake Minnewashta Regional Park are being split with Carver County by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. The Lake Minnewashta Preservation Association also has provided funds and outreach/educational volunteers. …steve gunther
