Aquatic Invasive Species in Iowa

1
Aquatic Invasive Species in Iowa

• Kim Bogenschutz
• Iowa Department of Natural Resources
• Aquatic Nuisance Species Program

2
Characteristics of Invasive Species

• Tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions
• Reproduce early, often, in large numbers, and in
  multiple ways
• Grow rapidly
• Colonize disturbed sites
• Have few natural enemies

3
Invasive Aquatic Plants

• Eurasian watermilfoil
• Purple Loosestrife
• Brittle Naiad
• Curlyleaf Pondweed
• Flowering Rush
• Salt Cedar
• Federal Aquatic Noxious Weeds

Located in Iowa
4
Invasive Aquatic Fish

• Bighead Carp
• Silver Carp
• Black Carp
• White Perch
• Round Goby
• Rudd
• Ruffe
• Federal Injurious Aquatic Wildlife

Located in Iowa
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Invasive Aquatic Invertebrates

• Zebra Mussel
• Quagga Mussel
• Rusty Crayfish
• Fishhook Waterflea
• New Zealand Mudsnail
• Spiny Water Flea
• Federal Injurious Aquatic Wildlife

Located in Iowa
6
Eurasian Watermilfoil(Myriophyllum spicatum)

• Native to Europe and Asia
• Introduced into North America in the 1940s
• Has spread to at least 45 states and 3 Canadian
  provinces

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Eurasian Watermilfoil Infestations in Iowa
through 2006
Mississippi River
Anderson Prairie Pond
Crystal Lake
Rudd Lake
Sportsman Recreation Area Pond
Siems Park Ponds
Airport Lake
St. Benedicts Pits
Wilson Grove Pond
Plainfield Lake
Sweet Marsh
Beeds Lake
Mitchell Avenue Pit
Grundy County Lake
South Prairie Lake
Koutny Pond
Snyder Bend
Horseshoe Pond
Walnut Acres Campground Pond
Maxwell Pond
Camp Sunnyside Pond
Red Rock Pond
Mile Hill Lake
Ottumwa Pond
Keg Creek Lake
Scott Lakes
Walnut Creek Marsh
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Eurasian Watermilfoil(Myriophyllum spicatum)
Identification

• 12-21 pairs of leaflets
• Fragile appearance - leaves collapse against stem
  when removed from water
• Branches profusely at water surface forming dense
  mats

9
Purple Loosestrife(Lythrum salicaria)

• Native to Europe and Asia
• By the early 1800s was well established along
  the east coast of the U.S.
• Currently found in almost all states and all
  Canadian provinces

10
Iowa Counties with Documented Purple Loosestrife
Infestations through 2006
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Purple Loosestrife(Lythrum salicaria)
Identification

• Plant height 2-7 feet
• Linear leaves with smooth edges, usually opposite
• Long spikes of purple or magenta flowers with 5-6
  petals
• Flowers in July and August

12
Brittle Naiad(Najas minor)

• Native to Europe
• Introduced into North America in the 1930s
• Has spread to at least 24 states in the eastern
  and southern United States
• First identified in Iowa in 2003

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Brittle Naiad Infestations in Iowa through 2006
Eldred Sherwood Lake
Dog Creek Lake
Volga Lake
Bergfeld Pond
Bitterman Pond
Little Sioux Park Pond
Grundy County Lake
Koutny Pond
Moorehead Park Pond
Brushy Creek Lake
Snyder Bend
Casey Lake
Crawford Creek Lake
Pleasant Creek Lake
Southwood Ponds
Mississippi River
Yellow Smoke Lake
Hannen Lake
Nelson Park Pond
Willow Lake
Meadow Lake
White Oak Lake
Lake Miami
Morris Park Pond
Lake Geode
Lake Wapello
Lacey-Keosauqua Lake
Lake Sugema
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Brittle Naiad(Najas minor)
Identification

• Stems - up to 4 feet long, highly branched,
  crowded terminal nodes
• Leaves - opposite, about 1 inch long, prominent
  marginal teeth, often recurved

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Aquatic Invasive Plant Impacts

• Displace native aquatic vegetation and wildlife
• Form dense surface mats/stands that restrict
  boating, water-skiing, fishing, and other aquatic
  recreation
• Lower value of lakefront property
• Spread from lake to lake by watercraft and/or
  water movement

16
Bighead and Silver Carp(Hypophthalmichthys
nobilis) (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

• Native to central and southern China (bighead)
  and eastern Asia (silver)
• Introduced in 1970s by Arkansas fish farmers
• Have spread to at least 23 (bighead) and 16
  (silver) states

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Bighead and Silver Carp(Hypophthalmichthys
nobilis) (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
Distribution in Iowa

• Both species found in the Mississippi and
  Missouri Rivers bordering Iowa
• Bighead carp also in the Des Moines, Iowa,
  Chariton, Cedar, Platte, Nodaway, and Big Sioux
  Rivers and smaller tributaries
• Silver carp also in the Des Moines River

18
Bighead and Silver Carp(Hypophthalmichthys
nobilis) (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
Identification

• Deep, laterally-compressed body
• Large mouth without teeth
• Tiny scales
• Eyes far forward and project downward

19
Bighead and Silver Carp(Hypophthalmichthys
nobilis) (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
Impacts

• Compete with native filter-feeders (paddlefish,
  buffalo, mussels, larval fish)
• Disrupt commercial fishing
• Leap out of water when boats approach

20
Bighead and Silver Carp(Hypophthalmichthys
nobilis) (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
21
Zebra Mussel(Dreissena polymorpha)

• Native to the Caspian Sea region of Asia
• First found in North America in Lake St. Clair in
  1988
• Two years later found in all the Great Lakes
• Have spread to at least 26 states

22
Zebra Mussel(Dreissena polymorpha)
Distribution in Iowa

• First found in Iowa in 1992 in the Mississippi
  River
• In one year, spread from border to border
• Veligers collected in 2003 from Missouri River in
  South Dakota
• Discovered in Clear Lake in 2005
• Discovered in Lake Delhi in 2006

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Zebra Mussel(Dreissena polymorpha)
Identification

• Yellow and/or brown D-shaped shells up to 2
  inches long with alternating light and dark bands
• Usually grow in clusters containing numerous
  individuals
• Only freshwater mollusc that attaches to solid
  objects
• Veligers are microscopic

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Zebra Mussel(Dreissena polymorpha)
Impacts

• Clog pipes, beaches, motors
• Kill native mussels, plants, crayfish, etc.
• Compete with small fish and native mussels for
  food
• Affect water quality

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Zebra Mussel(Dreissena polymorpha)
Water Quality Impacts

• Increased water clarity
• Increased benthic algae and vegetation
• Increased benthic invertebrates
• Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms
• Decreased zooplankton and planktivorous fish
• Decreased benthic algae and vegetation

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Limiting the Spread of AIS

• Public Outreach
• Vegetation and Zebra Mussel Surveys
• Monitoring of Asian Carp Distribution
• Treatment of Aquatic Invasive Species
  Infestations
• Cooperative Projects on Mississippi and Missouri
  Rivers
• Watercraft Inspections

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Preventing the Spread of AIS

• Remove any visible plants, fish, animals or mud
  from boat, trailer, and other equipment.
• Drain water from all equipment motor, livewell,
  bilge, transom well
• Clean and dry anything that comes into contact
  with water - equipment, boots, clothing, dogs.
  Before transporting to another waterbody, rinse
  boat and equipment with water 104 degrees or
  hotter, spray boat and trailer with high-pressure
  water at a car wash, or dry boat and equipment
  for at least five days.
• Never release fish, animals or plants into a
  waterbody unless they came from that waterbody.
  Empty unwanted bait in trash.
• Learn to identify aquatic invasive species and
  report any suspected infestations to the nearest
  DNR fisheries station.

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For Additional Information or to Volunteer Contact

• Kim Bogenschutz
• Aquatic Nuisance Species Program Coordinator
• Iowa Department of Natural Resources
• 1436 255th Street
• Boone, Iowa 50036
• 515-432-2823
• Kim.Bogenschutz_at_dnr.state.ia.us