Wisconsin Sea Grant Monitoring Project

From May 10, 1990 (update #1)

Wisconsin Sea Grant is funding a project designed to monitor the Wisconsin waters of Lakes Michigan and Superior for zebra mussel veligers (the free- swimming stage that ranges from 60-250 microns in size) and the young mussels that "set" on artificial substrates and natural hard surfaces. The project has three objectives: (1) determine the presence and rate of colonization of zebra mussels in Wisconsin waters of Lakes Michigan and Superior, (2) disseminate up-to-date information on the presence and spread of zebra mussels in the Great Lakes to lake users and resource managers, (3) develop and test appropriate sampling protocols and levels of effort to detect zebra mussels in early stages of colonization. Vertical plankton tow samples will be collected in harbor areas and analyzed for veligers. Artificial substrates constructed from PVC pipe will be used to observe the presence of mussels that have set. Sampling will concentrate on eight major Wisconsin Great Lakes harbors (Superior, Ashland, Sturgeon Bay, Green Bay, Kewaunee, Port Washington, Milwaukee and Racine) and on nearshore areas likely to be exposed to traffic that can transport adult zebra mussels, such as boats from Lake Erie. Wisconsin Sea Grant is also offering analytical services to public electric and water utilities and to industries that draw water from Lakes Michigan or Superior to inspect intake samples for veligers. Agencies interested in using similar procedures for zebra mussel monitoring, including designs for substrate and water intake samplers, should contact Clifford Kraft (Wisconsin Sea Grant Advisory Services Bldg. ES-105, UW- Green Bay, Green Bay, WI 54311-7001; phone: (414) 465-2795) or Wisconsin Sea Grant Advisory Services headquarters (see Introduction).

ID: 19900510-5.

The Zebra Mussel Update was a 4- to 8-page quarterly national newsletter published by the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute from May 1990 through May 1997. The ZMU documented the spread of the zebra mussel -- an exotic nuisance mussel -- through North America's freshwater environments, especially the Great Lakes, and on efforts to control it.