Parks Canada has announced that the boat launch in Riding Mountain National Park is closed until sometime in 2024, after the discovery of zebra mussels at Boat Cove.
Trace amounts of environmental zebra mussel DNA have been detected in the past in the area, but further testing has confirmed their presence in Clear Lake.
This invasive species is known to multiply rapidly and cover the lakebed, boats, and even competing species choking out other mussels.
The boat launch will remain closed through much of 2024, as they will work with organizations to analyze more water samples.
Aquatic Invasive Species like zebra mussels often spread from human activity like taking boats from one lake to another, contaminated beach toys, fishing gear, or other equipment.
