Staff at Riding Mountain National Park will be increasing monitoring and testing for aquatic invasive species in Clear Lake this winter.
A news release says “beginning February 20, 2023, Park staff will work with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ontario and Prairie Region, and the Province of Manitoba on additional monitoring and testing, after a positive test result for environmental DNA (eDNA) for zebra mussels was returned on January 23rd, 2023.
It is important to note that zebra mussels have not been found in Riding Mountain National Park, and that three subsequent test results have been negative. When DNA shows up in the environment it could be due to multiple factors. It is possible that DNA came to Clear Lake on a boat, water toy, or other source, without the transfer of any living mussels.
Environmental DNA does not pose a threat to the lake or the ecosystem, but can be an early warning flag and Parks Canada is taking precautions accordingly. In the coming weeks visitors may see park staff conducting scientific monitoring on the ice of Clear Lake. There will also be a temporary laboratory building on the shore at Boat Cove. Divers may also be in the water as part of this monitoring. We ask all visitors to stay well back from any research activities or dive sites.
Parks Canada appreciates the cooperation of all lake users. Cooperation and compliance are invaluable to our invasive species program.”
