Hello Garfield Lake Zebra Mussel Monitor,
I am writing you as you were one of the 24 stations around Garfield Lake that helped in monitoring Garfield Lake for adult Zebra Mussels last year. As you may remember, our AIS water testing found evidence of the Zebra Mussel Villagers in one of two test we did in 2017 ; one of two test in 2018 and none in 2019. Our Garfield Lake AIS and Water Quality volunteers take water samples from 3 points around the lake and these samples are sent to RMB labs to look for to presence of Zebra Mussel Villagers as well as Spiny Water Flea.
In addition to this testing we ask our lake property owners, like yourselves, to place these small plastic PVC tubes into the water off their docks and on a monthly basis lift the tube out of the water and inspect the inside of the tube looking for small adult zebra mussels. Garfield has not seen the presence of any adult zebra mussel to date and as I noted above we did not find the presence of the villager last year. You help in monitoring for them is very helpful and appreciated. We hope you will participate in this again in 2020.
I have outline below some of the elements of this Zebra Mussel sampling. Please take a look at it and if you have not by now, get your tube into the water as soon as you can. Once you do that would you please give me a reply to this e-mail so we know where the testing is done around the lake.
ZEBRA MUSSLE SAMPLING 2020
1. Get the ZM tube into water around Memorial Day or when your dock is in.
2. Tie off the tube using small rope and place approximately 12 inches from bottom.
3. Try to keep in shaded side of dock if at all possible.
4. Check once a month by lifting out of water and looking closely inside the tube.
5. ZM are very tiny at the beginning …. Look closely.
6. If you think you see one please contact me, Charlie Clark and I, or someone will come over to confirm at your convince.
7. Remove ZM tube around Labor Day weekend.
8. Clean with 1 cup bleach and a bucket of water. Let it soak overnight. Rinse and then store for winter.
9. If any questions, please notify me, Charlie Clark, at ceclark49@icloud.com .
If you have any questions on any of this please send me an e-mail and I will get back to you as soon as I can. And THANKS ! for being part of the Garfield Lake monitoring program !
Charlie Clark