Hello LSC. We’d like to share some concerning info with you about a recent discovery at the Fish & Wildlife Public Access in Wells involving an aquatic invasive species (AIS).
In October of last year, the AIS Golden Clams, scientific name: Corbicula fluminea, (previously called Asian Clams) were discovered in southern Lake Champlain at the South Bay Boat Launch. In November of 2024, multiple agencies in NY and VT met to discuss this finding, and what actions should be taken. Based on Lake St. Catherine’s proximity, and high-use of the public access, it was determined that LSC was an at-risk location, and was designated to be surveyed.
On November 19th, 2024, a Vermont DEC team performed a sieve survey at the public access on Lake St. Catherine. Although they did not discover any Golden Clams, they did discover a Zebra Mussel shell, scientific name: Dreissena polymorpha, next to the southern side of the dock.
Zebra Mussel shell found at Lake St. Catherine.
Location of Zebra Mussel discovery at Lake St. Catherine.
Zebra Mussels on a native mussel. Photo by Megan Weber.
Based on this finding, the DEC team returned to the lake on November 25 to perform additional surveys of the area including visual inspection of the dock and underside of the dock, the boat ramp, and out into the lake. Net tow samples were also collected to analyze for veligers (Zebra Mussel larvae, which would represent reproduction occurring).
Thankfully, no additional Zebra Mussels, or veligers were discovered.
Based on these initial findings, we are hopeful that this shell did not represent a viable Zebra Mussel, and it was only a dead mussel that fell off of a boat or equipment when docked.
From the Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds excellent page on Zebra Mussels, Zebra Mussels are highly reproductive, and can quickly establish large populations and outcompete native species for food and habitat, and they can:
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clog water intakes and other pipes, (management costs in electrical power and other water-consuming facilities amount to several hundred $M per year)
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attach to boat motors and boat hulls, reducing performance and efficiency,
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attach to rocks, swim rafts and ladders where swimmers can cut their feet on the shells,
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attach to and smother native mussels and clams, and
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eat tiny food particles that they filter out of the water, which can reduce available food for larval fish and other animals. (They are responsible for the near extinction of many species in the Great Lake system by outcompeting native species for food and by growing on top of and suffocating the native clams and mussels.)
We do not want these getting established in Lake St. Catherine.
However, studies show that Zebra Mussels can sustain themselves and reproduce in lakes that have calcium levels around 20 mg/l or higher. Lake St. Catherine was recently tested for calcium levels, and it was found to be under 13 mg/l. Just up the road from us at Lake Bomoseen, Zebra Mussels are established there, and reproducing. Lake Bomoseen’s calcium level was found to be just under 20 mg/l (Lake Bomoseen also has Golden Clams). Live Zebra Mussels were found in Lake Dunmore in 2018 at their public access and removed. The calcium level in Lake Dunmore has been found to be around 8 mg/l, which made the Zebra Mussels discovered look grey, instead of their distinctive alternating light and dark zigzag stripe pattern. Follow up testing has not found additional Zebra Mussels or veligers in Lake Dunmore.
The DEC will return to Lake St. Catherine in the spring to perform some additional tests and surveys. Also, our DASH team will survey the area when they begin operations in the spring.
While our lower calcium level gives us a bit of protection from Zebra Mussels, we need to be vigilant when dealing with them and other AIS that could potentially infest the lake. This is why our Greeter and Vermont Invasive Patroller (VIP) Programs are so important.
Our Greeters inspect boats for AIS as they enter and exit the lake, but we only have enough funding to cover the public access on Friday - Sunday from Labor Day to Memorial Day, along with holidays and fishing tournaments. Also, boats and other vessels can be launched at other areas around the lake. It is critically important to “Clean, Drain, Dry” vessels and equipment that will be going into the water to prevent the spread of AIS.
The VIP Program paddles areas where vessels would be launched, like at the public access, at the State Park, and at Wells Lakeside Park using underwater viewers to look for potential new introductions of AIS. This program is an early warning system for finding new AIS that have made their way into the lake so they can be quickly addressed.
We are hiring paid Greeters ($20/hr) for the 2025 season. If you are interested in working for the Greeter Program, please reach out to us at info@lakestcatherine.org. You can learn more about the Greeter Program on LSC here.
The VIP Program is a volunteer initiative. If you like paddling, and would like to learn more about the lake, please reach out to let us know you’d be interested in participating at info@lakestcatherine.org. You can learn more about the Vermont Invasive Patroller (VIP) Program on LSC here.
What can you do to help protect the lake from AIS? Become a member of the LSCA, volunteer, keep an eye on your shoreline and be sure to Clean, Drain, Dry any vessel coming in contact with the lake. This applies to everyone on the lake, but especially this spring to the folks on the Channel near the public access, please check your shoreline, and inspect your dock. Do you feel or see small bumps as shown in the photo below? These are Zebra Mussels at a very early stage, and they are very small. If you see these, or anything else that may be concerning - let us know - we’ll come right out to take a look.
Small Zebra Mussels on a stick.
We’d like to thank the DEC for their efforts!
We’ll be sure to keep you up-to-date with any new information. Thank you.
