Ashby, Steve L., Boyd, William A., Kennedy, Robert H. 1998. Assessing The Potential for Zebra Mussel Habitat at U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Water Resource Projects Using Techniques and Water Quality Data. US Army Engineer Waterways Experimental Station

The distribution of zebra mussels in Canada and throughout the United States indicates that these organisms can exist in a wide range of environmental conditions. Whether populations of sufficient size to impact ecological conditions in a particular system will develop is still unclear for areas not yet infested. Water quality data from selected Corps of Engineers’ reservoirs were compared to optimal ranges of alkalinity (limited calcium data were available), pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen to classify potential habitat at each reservoir. Minimum data density requirements were used for calculation of mean values for annual, growing season, late summer, and non-growing season periods. Data were most abundant for the late summer period. A majority of the selected reservoirs were well within the optimal range of at least one of the water quality parameters necessary for zebra mussel survival. Most projects did not have sufficient data for all parameters. Of the 304 projects within at least one of the parameter ranges, 152 projects were within the optimal range for all parameters for at least one of the defined seasons. Most of the susceptible projects were identified for the late summer season water quality conditions. There were 69 projects with mixed release, 49 with bottom release, 26 with surface release, and 8 with undetermined release strategies. Operational and other project features (e.g. pool elevation fluctuation and shoreline characteristics) will be used to provide additional assessments of habitat potential.

GIS methods were used to develop maps of reservoir distribution and zebra mussel occurrences. Reservoir proximity to zebra mussel sites was then used to classify reservoirs for potential inoculation. Availability of boat landings and marinas at each reservoir will also be used to further classify potential inoculation. Results of these assessments will provide a classification of Corps of Engineers’ reservoirs which can used as background information and in site location for future research. A summary of assessments will be presented.

Contact: Steven, L. Ashby, US Army Engineer Waterways Experimental Station, 3903 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199
Keywords: Zebra_mussel, Ecological_interactions, Environmental_impacts
Product Type: Publication, Proceedings, Impact
User Type: General