AUSTIN, Texas — Many people will be out on the water for the Fourth of July holiday, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWDS) wants boaters to be aware of certain invasive species.
TPWD Senior Scientist for Aquatic Invasive Species Monica McGarrity said zebra mussels and hydrilla are common invasive species that are found in Central Texas lakes.
She said if zebra mussels are transferred to other lakes, it can cause some serious problems.
"It can have impact on the ecosystem," McGarrity said. "You can have impacts on any infrastructure, water supply, water control – anything with raw surface water and boats stored in the water can be damaged by zebra mussels.”
McGarrity stresses the importance of keeping boats clean.
Brian Photo, who was out on Lake Travis Wednesday, will be out again for Fourth of July.
"We rinse out the boat when we come out, making sure if you go to another lake, making sure nothing is attached to the boat," Photo said. "[I] rinse it out with fresh water outside the motor too. You can put muffles and wash out the motor if you need, to keep invasive species from coming to another lake."