Consultant's Report - Minnesota State Legislature
Consultant's Report - Minnesota State Legislature
Consultant's Report - Minnesota State Legislature
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Recommendations for physical treatment<br />
Both physical methods of control and physical aspects of stream habitat deserve<br />
brief consideration. With respect to physical habitat limitations, it is noteworthy that<br />
Strayer (1991), based on a thorough analysis of European zebra mussel distribution,<br />
concluded that this species does not reside in streams less than 20 m wide. In slight<br />
contrast, Horvath et al. (1996) found that zebra mussel colonization of small streams is<br />
possible, but only if there is a nearby, upstream lake source. Even then, populations<br />
declined exponentially with downstream distance from the source such that only isolated<br />
mussels were found much more than one km downstream. The outlet brook from Lake<br />
Ossawilmamakee is probably too small to sustain a zebra mussel population, although the<br />
larger streams farther downstream may provide suitable habitat. There is no doubt that<br />
this species is best adapted to the sublittoral zones ofvery large lakes (such as Lake Erie<br />
in North America) and impounded reaches oflarge rivers (such as the series of pools in<br />
the Upper Mississippi River).<br />
Physical methods of control (e.g., filtration, heat, aerial exposure) can be reliably<br />
used in some settings, but appear to be oflimited value in the present situation. The most<br />
viable physical control method may be the use of disposable substrates in the upstream<br />
end of the outlet brook. Large numbers of disposable substrates (e.g., nylon or fabric<br />
"mops") placed in several row,s along the channel (parallel to flow) or in the lake at the<br />
channel inlet (perpendicular flow) could reduce the number of veliger$ entrained into the<br />
flowing brook. These substrates create ideal settling conditions for the planktonic<br />
veligers by providing a firm surface and reduced flow velocity. Periodically (at least<br />
annually) the substrates would have to be removed and replaced. Disposable substrates<br />
have not been used much, as they are only partially effective. Percent control of 50 % is<br />
probably a reasonable expectation (O'Neill 1996).<br />
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