Zebra Mussels are an invasive species in Lake Champlain. Not only do they consume a great deal of the food supply in the lake, but they also attack native mussel species by sticking to them and robbing them of fresh water and food. The Zebra Mussel can reach a density of 100,000 per square meter, covering exhaust and intake pipes for water treatment and power plants.
In this episode of Outdoor Radio, hosts Kent McFarland and Sara Zahendra are joined by biologist Michael Lew-Smith from Arrowwood Environmental and Mark Ferguson of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Together they explore the shores of Lake Champlain, finding thousands of Zebra Mussels and discussing how this invasive species is impacting the habitiat of the lake.
Here some links for more information:
- Learn more about Zebra Mussels from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and the Lake Champlain Basin Atlas
- VT DEC Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program
- Visit the Vermont Atlas of Life on iNaturalist and see a map of Zebra Mussels reported by observers and add yours too
Outdoor Radio is produced in collaboration with the Vermont Center For Ecostudies.
