Yesterday (6/27/10) I had the pleasure of taking a striper fishing charter on Lake Texoma. I say “pleasure” because it was just that; an easy, relaxing morning on the water where all I had to do was reel in the fish and everything else was taken care of. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not above baiting my hook and taking fish off, etc. but having to load a boat, acquire bait, and clean the catch, well, that’s one thing it’s nice to pay someone else to do!

Our guide is seen here unhooking what would later become my dinner. It was delicious!

I’ve never been on Lake Texoma although I have been over it and around it all my life. It has always been a murky lake, even downright muddy in the wet season due to its tributaries, including the Red River, traveling through some of the nastiest red clay on the North American continent prior to reaching the lake.
Last year it was reported that Zebra Mussels had been spotted in Texoma.  In short, the Zebra Mussel is a mass-reproducer that filters minerals and algae from the water as its diet.  It is transferred between bodies of water by boats and waterfowl.
Let me tell you right now that within only one year after first sighting this mussel has made that lake into one of the prettiest around.  The water is clear in some places up to 15 feet  and in most places, 6-10′.  This is amazing when you consider the water conditions there prior to 2009.  All of the clearing happened within a year and additional clarity is expected with the potential for Texoma to be a popular inland SCUBA dive hot spot in the next couple years.

The government has launched several localized campaigns in and around lakes and rivers that have been infested, raving against spreading this mussel by cleaning and drying boats between putting in at different lakes.  They compare the spread of the mussel to a plague and use scare tactics to try and enforce their efforts (Mussels will ruin your motor & out-drive, etc.).
After doing a lot of research on this little marine wonder, I have to assume that city, state, and federal government is the chief complainer due to the fact that their structures are the only things being attacked.  Hydroelectric and freshwater supply inlets are being clogged by Zebra Mussels and other underwater structures such as buoy lines and flood gates are affected; all things our government (at some level or other) maintains.  The mussel lives between 3′ and 45′ of water so they are not affecting marinas and have not been a true hassle for boaters either.
Luckily, a chemical paint has been put into use to combat the mussel in defense of underwater collateral and divers are used to handle what the chemical cannot.  Application of the chemical seems to be a winning strategy.

As far as I can tell by researching and talking to professionals about the Zebra Mussel today during my couple hours of intense interest; the little hard-shell wonders that filter up to a liter of water a day per animal are more of an asset than not.  They create a clear-water environment, their byproduct is very fertile for plant growth and they are food for several freshwater species of marine life.
I can say for sure that I have a whole new perspective regarding Lake Texoma.  If it were about 45 minutes closer to Moore, I would have a tough time not pulling the trigger on a move of our boat from muddy-ass Keystone Lake down south to cleaner water.

Fortunately, the Corp of Engineers have identified Zebra Mussels in Keystone now so perhaps in a couple years it too will be as clear as Texoma.  I’m crossing my fingers.  Anyone know where I can buy a shit-ton of Zebra Mussel larvae? ha!

I need not say anything further.

Take a look at the following video where this family’s home is presumably destroyed by an F4 tornado. I’m assuming this one of the recents in MN or WI although no specific info has been given.
It’s interesting to listen to the conversation between the two individuals and also the comments/thoughts of the man holding the camera.

EMBED-Families Home Destroyed By F4 Tornado – Watch more free videos