Photo source: Daniel Baker-Trambley
The promise of an adventure is great and so is fun in the sun however, it is important to know the risks that can stow away in your boat. This includes all types of watercrafts from, motorized boats to blow up paddle boards.
Windspeaker Radio Network spoke with Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist Nicole Kimmel about the importance of making sure that not only your boat is cleaned out when going between each body of water, but also making sure it’s completely dry.
Water inspection sites will be located by various bodies of water in the province and will often have signs indicating when one is close by.
Areas like Pigeon Lake and the Battle river just south of Edmonton work hard in order to ensure their water echo systems don’t be come affected by invasive species. Windspeaker Radio Network talked with Sarah Skinner of the Battle River Water Shed Alliance to get a better understanding of these species.
Invasive muscles will cluster in large number and with no natural predators to balance them out they will take over a body of water quickly and can lead to native species losing their habit. They can also destroy recreational by creating a better habit for algal blooms.
There are not any current cases of invasive mussels in Alberta however, there are cases in the United States, Manitoba and other eastern provinces.
For more information about how to prevent invasive species infecting bodies of water visit the Government of Alberta’s website.
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