The threat of an invasion of Alberta is very real. Zebra and quagga mussels have already invaded much of the eastern United States and over the past decade have spread into lakes and reservoirs in Canada, including Lake Winnipeg last year. Once established, it is very difficult, time consuming and expensive to attempt to eradicate these harmful and invasive species.
Because Alberta is still free of zebra and quagga mussels, Albertans are in the enviable position to actually prevent an invasion. And the first step in prevention is awareness.
Over the past year and into the next, the provincial government, as well as local organizations, such as the Beaver River Watershed Alliance, will be initiating prevention programs and awareness campaigns in the hopes of arming boaters and those involved in transportation with the knowledge of how to identify and act to prevent an invasion of zebra and quagga mussels.
Keeping our lakes clean and free of everything from pollution to invasive species is everyone's responsibility. Our lakes are not only a source of recreation and fun, but also critical to our livelihood, providing food, habitat and most importantly water.
Let's do what we can to learn about zebra and quagga mussels and keep them out of our lakes and reservoirs.
