Brandon Thibodeaux for The Texas Tribune
Christopher J. Churchill, left, a biologist, and Glenn Clingenpeel of the Trinity River Authority at Lake Ray Roberts, which zebra mussels have overrun.
DENTON — Every two months, Christopher J. Churchill, a United States Geological Survey biologist, scuba dives in Ray Roberts Lake, northwest of Dallas, to monitor the growth rates of zebra mussels, which have wreaked havoc on several Texas lakes and rivers.
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"A year ago, it was hard to find just one zebra mussel," Mr. Churchill said. "They're everywhere now."
Mr. Churchill's assignment follows the discovery in 2009 of the nonnative zebra mussels in Lake Texoma in North Texas. That year, the area lost 28 percent of its water supply when local officials halted pumping water from the lake for fear of spreading the mussels through a pipeline that pumped water to a second reservoir, which is connected to a water treatment facility.
One way zebra mussels are introduced to new waterways is by boats that are not cleaned properly. Legislation passed this spring aims to increase awareness among Texas boaters about how to prevent the spread of the mussels and other invasive species.
To be certified to use a boat in Texas, people must take a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department boating education course. The department certifies about 12,000 boaters a year. The new legislation adds test questions to existing courses on preventing the spread of invasive species.
"If we can educate boaters, fishermen and those out with watercraft, then they can be our real frontline defense against the spread and introduction of invasive species into new water bodies," said Ross Melinchuk, the deputy executive director of natural resources for the department. In addition to the courses, officials hope signs along lakes and reminders painted on docks will help decrease the spread of invasive species through boats.
Tim Spice, the department's boater education coordinator, said that online course providers, which provide certification for nearly 75 percent of the state's boaters, were required to ask questions on their tests about invasive species.
The department is expected to spend $1.5 million in each of the next two years treating infested waters and increasing awareness of invasive species, with aid from state financing and federal grants.
Texas is waging battles against several invasive aquatic species — both animals and plants — throughout the state, but there is not enough financing to treat all infestation in the state, Mr. Melinchuk said.
Other invasive species include the giant river cane, which is spreading along the Rio Grande. Giant salvinia, a form of aquatic weeds, lines Caddo Lake in East Texas.
Glenn Clingenpeel, the senior manager of planning and environmental management for the Trinity River Authority, which oversees Ray Roberts Lake and other waterways in the Trinity River Basin, says that despite such education, the spread of invasive species like zebra mussels is inevitable.
"Boater education is a good thing that can go a long way," Mr. Clingenpeel said, "but in terms of believing we can put some control measure in place that would keep them away, I'm not optimistic."
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