South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks is confirming a new section of the Big Sioux River is infested with zebra mussels.
The department said the Big Sioux from Lake Kampeska in Watertown to the Missouri River is now considered infested.
Officials said a zebra mussel rapid response team will be sent to this section of the river to alert boaters of the discovery. The team will review decontamination techniques with boaters while placing additional signs across the area. The signs remind boaters to ‘clean, drain, dry,’ and inspect their boats each time they are used.
"Fall is an important time of year for detecting zebra mussels," said GFP Communications Manager, Nick Harrington. "Individuals who believe they may have found a mussel on their boats, docks, or lifts are reminded to contact their local GFP office and provide a photo and location of the suspect mussels. Zebra mussels that are found on boating infrastructure are most likely juvenile zebra mussels and will be 1/3 inch in length or smaller, so look very close when inspecting your equipment this fall."
This new section of the Big Sioux River will be added to the growing list of infected waterbodies across the state.
