HILLSDALE LAKE — The Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Hillsdale Lake. Last week, an alert angler found an adult zebra mussel at the Wade Branch of the reservoir and took it to the Hillsdale State Park office. State aquatic nuisance species staff found more zebra mussels on rocks and trees in the same area. The population appears to be low density at this time, however, there is no known method to completely rid a lake of the invasive pests, KDWPT biologist Jeff Koch said. Hillsdale Reservoir and Bull Creek from the reservoir south to the Marais des Cygnes River will be added to the list of contaminated waters in Kansas. Other area lakes with confirmed cases of zebra mussels include Pomona and Melvern lakes, John Redmond Reservoir and Coffey County Lake. The sharp shells are a danger to waders and swimmers, and clog water intakes. Zebra mussels are spread from lake to lake by water left in boats and bait buckets, Koch said.
Monday, June 20, noon
