Mason City Globe Gazette, IA
03-28-07
ISU to conduct carp, zebra mussels study at Clear Lake
By PEGGY SENZARINO, of The Globe Gazette
CLEAR LAKE — Iowa State University will conduct a four-year study of the
effects of common carp and zebra mussels on water quality, fish and plant
vegetation in Clear Lake.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Natural Resource Commission
approved the contract with ISU earlier this month.
The study will cost $369,771 with most of the funds coming from the federal
government.
David Knoll, director of the Clear Lake Enhancement and Restoration (CLEAR)
project, said the new study won’t impact plans for the dredging of Clear Lake.
The study will use data from the carp radio telemetry study and other existing
data sources. The knowledge gained from the study will be organized into a
simulation model that will enable officials to predict the effects on water quality in
Clear Lake and help with evaluation of a variety of scenarios and management
alternatives for future water quality.
The model will be useful in similar lakes. The final goal of the study is to obtain
baseline data on carp, zebra mussels and the native biological community in
Clear Lake for the purposes of long-term monitoring and future testing.
Zebra mussels are an invasive species that may interfere with aquatic food
chains, kill native mussels and clog water intakes in boats. They were found in
five sites around Clear Lake in a random search last summer.
Iowa DNR fisheries technician Scott Grummer said most were found in rocky
areas near Dodge’s Point and the Island, some were found near the outlet and
one was near the Harborage Condominiums.
Zebra mussels feed by extracting microscopic plant life from the water, robbing
native organisms of much-needed food sources, according to the DNR.
The DNR and Iowa State University launched a carp telemetry project in the fall
of 2004 to map carp movement in the lake. The idea was to gather information
that will make it easier to remove the rough fish.
Approximately 30 adult and 30 juvenile carp were outfitted with radio
transmitters.
Each transmitter sent out a signal which could be picked up by a small receiver in
a boat.
Once a fish was found, its location was charted for future observation and
comparison.
Carp have a big impact on the water quality of both Clear Lake and Ventura
Marsh. Bottom-feeding fish like carp and bullhead stir up the bottom of the lake
and the marsh dislodging beneficial aquatic vegetation.
Underwater vegetation helps improve water clarity by using the excess nutrients
in the water such as phosphorous.
Carp are a non-native fish to Iowa. Most of the carp collected in Iowa are trucked
to New York City and sold in a live market.
Carp have fairly dark meat and more of a fishy taste compared to other fish with
white flesh and a more mild taste. It is popular in Asian cuisine.
Reach Peggy Senzarino at 421-0532 or peggy.senzarino@globegazette.com