Dispersal, establishment, and spread of aquatic invasive species such as the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) can be influenced by riverine velocities and volumetric flows in invaded lake-stream ecosystems. Zebra mussels, which have a planktonic larval form (veliger), disperse rapidly downstream from a source population. Concentrations, dispersal, and body conditions of zebra mussel veligers were studied under different volumetric flow, or discharge, conditions in a coupled lake-stream ecosystem in northern Texas, USA. Veliger densities in lotic environments were strongly related to population dynamics in upstream lentic source populations. A strong exponential decrease in veliger density was observed through a 28-km downstream study reach. Increased water releases from the source reservoir increased veliger flux and dispersal potential, concomitantly increasing veliger flux and decreasing transit time. However, passage through release gates in the dam and increased turbulence in the river during high-discharge events could negatively affect body condition of veligers, and veliger body condition generally decreased from the source population to the farthest downstream site and was lower for veligers during periods of high discharge. Thus increased discharge appears to reduce the proportion of viable veligers because of increased turbulence-induced mortality. Colonization of distant downstream reservoirs can occur if discharge and propagule pressure are sufficient or if interim habitats are suitable for establishment of in-stream populations.

Data is a spreadsheet of the number of copies of Zebra Mussel DNA detected and the number of positive detections for Zebra Mussel DNA from water samples collected over 6 different substrates, at 4 depths in 2 lakes. The ash-free dry weight of the mussels at each of the sites is also included for each sampling location.

Data is a spreadsheet of the number of copies of Zebra Mussel DNA detected and the number of positive detections for Zebra Mussel DNA from water samples collected over 6 different substrates, at 4 depths in 2 lakes. The ash-free dry weight of the mussels at each of the sites is also included for each sampling location.

Data is included for two types of field surveys conducted for freshwater mussels in the mainstem of the middle and upper Delaware River in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States from 2000-2002. Timed search (qualitative) surveys were conducted during 2000-2001 from a point at the confluence of the East and West Branches of the Delaware River near Hancock, NY continuously downstream to a point at the mouth of the Paulins Kill River near Columbia, NJ. In this qualitative survey, mussel species and counts were collected in the field catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data was determined for all mussel species within each of 1,095 consecutive stream sections ~200 m in length. Subsequent quantitative surveys were conducted in select 200-m sections of river using quadrats during 2002 in order to estimate abundance and density of mussel present in these sections. One Excel file contains data from qualitative surveys, and a second excel file contains data from quantitative quadrat surveys.

Data is included for two types of field surveys conducted for freshwater mussels in the mainstem of the middle and upper Delaware River in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States from 2000-2002. Timed search (qualitative) surveys were conducted during 2000-2001 from a point at the confluence of the East and West Branches of the Delaware River near Hancock, NY continuously downstream to a point at the mouth of the Paulins Kill River near Columbia, NJ. In this qualitative survey, mussel species and counts were collected in the field catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data was determined for all mussel species within each of 1,095 consecutive stream sections ~200 m in length. Subsequent quantitative surveys were conducted in select 200-m sections of river using quadrats during 2002 in order to estimate abundance and density of mussel present in these sections. One Excel file contains data from qualitative surveys, and a second excel file contains data from quantitative quadrat surveys.

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha Pallas 1771) are a tenacious aquatic invasive species in the United States and new infestations can rapidly expand into dense colonies. Zebra mussels were first reported in Marion Lake (Dakota County, Minnesota) in September 2017 and surveys indicated the infestation was likely isolated near the public boat access. A 2.4-hectare area, containing the known zebra mussel infestation, was enclosed and treated for nine days with EarthTec QZ®, a copper-based molluscicide, in an attempt to eradicate the zebra mussels. We conducted an on-site bioassay to confirm treatment efficacy. The bioassay was conducted in mobile assay trailer that received a continuous flow of treated lake water and zebra mussels test animals that were collected from White Bear Lake (Ramsey County, MN). Zebra mussel mortality in the treated bioassay tanks achieved 99 percent mortality (95-percent Confidence Interval: 98 – 100 percent) and a predictive model indicates in-lake mortality as low as 85 percent may have occurred; therefore, our results indicate that the Marion Lake treatment may not have induced complete zebra mussel mortality. Post-treatment assessments and surveys are recommended to further verify treatment success and monitor lake conditions in regards to zebra mussel infestation.

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha Pallas 1771) are a tenacious aquatic invasive species in the United States and new infestations can rapidly expand into dense colonies. Zebra mussels were first reported in Marion Lake (Dakota County, Minnesota) in September 2017 and surveys indicated the infestation was likely isolated near the public boat access. A 2.4-hectare area, containing the known zebra mussel infestation, was enclosed and treated for nine days with EarthTec QZ®, a copper-based molluscicide, in an attempt to eradicate the zebra mussels. We conducted an on-site bioassay to confirm treatment efficacy. The bioassay was conducted in mobile assay trailer that received a continuous flow of treated lake water and zebra mussels test animals that were collected from White Bear Lake (Ramsey County, MN). Zebra mussel mortality in the treated bioassay tanks achieved 99 percent mortality (95-percent Confidence Interval: 98 – 100 percent) and a predictive model indicates in-lake mortality as low as 85 percent may have occurred; therefore, our results indicate that the Marion Lake treatment may not have induced complete zebra mussel mortality. Post-treatment assessments and surveys are recommended to further verify treatment success and monitor lake conditions in regards to zebra mussel infestation.

Results from a quantitative survey of mussel assemblages from 12 long-term monitoring sites over 153 river kilometers of the Buffalo National River 2019-2021.

Results from a quantitative survey of mussel assemblages from 12 long-term monitoring sites over 153 river kilometers of the Buffalo National River 2019-2021.

We applied Zequanox using a custom-engineered, boat mounted application system to replicated 0.30 Hectare plots within a small inland lake. The objectives of these applications were to determine if uncontained, open-water Zequanox applications could effectively control zebra mussel populations and protect native unionid mussel populations within zebra mussel infested systems. The datasets included are as follows: Exposure Water Chemistry Hardness and Alkalinity Native Mussel Sonde Water Chemistry Zebra Mussel Density Zebra Mussel Length Zebra Mussel Mortality Zequanox Concentration ShapeFiles: PLOTS, UNIONID, ZEQUANOX CONCENTRATION, ZM_DENSITY, ZM_MORTALITY