Every year, Texans enjoy the Fourth of July by soaking in the summer sun on the water. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) urges boaters and paddlers to do their part to protect the Texas lakes we love from aquatic invasive species during the heart of boating season. “While we want everyone to have a great time, we also want them to avoid giving invasive species free rides to new lakes,” said Brian Van […]
Zebra Mussels
Lake Walter E. Long “Fully Infested” with Zebra Mussels
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has designated Lake Walter E. Long in Travis County as “infested” with zebra mussels, signifying an established, reproducing population in the lake. Walter E. Long had already received a “positive” designation following the repeated detection of zebra mussel larvae in October 2018 and May 2019. However, subsequent searches for settled mussels conducted as recently as 2021 did not detect any juveniles or adults. In early August of this […]
TPWD Stresses Importance for Boaters to “Clean, Drain, and Dry”
The upcoming holiday weekend offers numerous opportunities for Texans to enjoy the summer sun and water during the heart of boating season. Now more than ever, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is urging boaters to do their part to fight back against aquatic invasive species that threaten Texas lakes. “The July 4th holiday is an exciting time of year for boating in Texas, and while we want everyone to have a great time, […]
Waterfowl Hunters Play Key Role in Helping Prevent Spread of Invasive Species
Waterfowl hunters are gearing up across the state in anticipation of opening day. In an effort to avoid spreading invasive species like giant salvinia and zebra mussels, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is reminding waterfowl hunters to clean, drain and dry their boats and equipment, including decoys and other hunting gear, before traveling from lake to lake. Aquatic invasive plants can easily become entangled or trapped on boats and boat trailers and moved […]
Lake Worth “Fully Infested” with Zebra Mussels
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has designated Lake Worth in Tarrant County on the Trinity River basin as “infested” with invasive zebra mussels. Infested status signifies that there is an established, reproducing population of zebra mussels in the lake. The designation is a result of recent sampling efforts. “This finding that Lake Worth is fully infested is not unexpected,” said Raphael Brock, TPWD Inland Fisheries Dallas – Fort Worth Biologist. “There are two […]
National Invasive Species Awareness Week May 15-22 Brings Attention to Harmful, Non-Native Plants and Wildlife
During National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) May 15-22, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) wants to help Texans learn more about how invasive species affect our state’s natural resources and how everyone can help in slowing their spread. In honor of NISAW, May 15 is also designated National Clean, Drain, Dry Day to promote boater behaviors to prevent the spread of invasive species. Invasive species are species that are non-native to an ecosystem and are […]
Zebra Mussels Detected at Lake Brownwood
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has detected invasive zebra mussels at Lake Brownwood in the Colorado River Basin, southeast of Abilene. Zebra mussel larvae were detected in plankton samples collected at two sites approximately three miles apart at Lake Brownwood in November. This is the second lake in the Upper Colorado River Basin where zebra mussels have now been detected, which indicates this species is continuing to spread westward. To date, no adult […]
Zebra Mussels Detected at Medina Lake, Lake Placid Designated as “Infested”
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has detected invasive zebra mussels at Medina Lake and Lake Placid will be re-classified as “fully infested.” Infested status signifies that there is now evidence of an established, reproducing population of zebra mussels in the lake. The detection in Medina Lake, located near Bandera, marks the first introduction of invasive zebra mussels in the San Antonio River Basin. On Feb. 11, a member of the public submitted a […]
Zebra Mussels Eradicated from Lake Waco in Central Texas
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has determined that invasive zebra mussels have been successfully eradicated from Lake Waco in Central Texas, preventing property damage, protecting water supply infrastructure and avoiding harm to the aquatic ecosystem. The department emphasized the vital importance of continued help from boaters, marina operators and others to Clean, Drain and Dry boats before moving them and remain vigilant to stop the spread. Fisheries biologists cautioned that eradication of the […]
Lake Buchanan Designated as “Infested” with Zebra Mussels
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has designated Lake Buchanan, located west of Burnet and north of Inks Lake in the Colorado River Basin, as “infested” with invasive zebra mussels. Infested status signifies that there is an established, reproducing population of zebra mussels in the lake. The designation is a result of recent sampling efforts that revealed new evidence of a reproducing population of zebra mussels in the lake. Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) […]