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  Wilmington Trail Club Forums  Paddling  Activism  Gunpowder Falls - Invasive Algae
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New Post 6/4/2008 12:05 AM
Informative
User is offline John Koeppe
16 posts




Gunpowder Falls - Invasive Algae 

The Maryland DNR has released information about an invasive species of algae that has been discovered in Gunpowder Falls on the Gunpowder River in Maryland - near Baltimore.  Since the club paddles this section, I thought I would post this info.

To read what the MD DNR website has to say, go to:  www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2008/050608c.html

Briefly, this is an invasive alga (more specifically a diatom for you biologists out there).  Quoting from the link above "This alga has the potential to disrupt ecosystems in waters it invades by choking out bottom-dwellers and removing food organisms for game fish and other aquatic species, ..."

The alga is named Didymo and can form mats on river bottoms and rocks that are sometimes referred to as "rock snot".  If you look at one of the pictures in the above link, you'll see why the name is appropriate.

Bottom line:  The Maryland DNR is suggesting care so as to not contaminate other river systems if you've been on the Gunpowder.  Please read the link above for suggestions as to what to so that one does not inadvertently transport one of these from your boat or bootie to another river system.

John

 

 
New Post 6/4/2008 9:39 PM
User is offline Mary Koeppe
5 posts




Re: Gunpowder Falls - Invasive Algae 

To give you an idea of how easy it is to transport this algae from one water ecosystem to another, it only takes one cell for a new flush of "rock snot" to develop in a new  water ecosystem.  So be diligent about washing out equipment after paddling the Gunpowder.

Credit goes to Pat Hardesty (aka the tractor shuttle person) for passing along this fascitating tidbit of biology!

Ed R. -- I'm sure you already know all about this and can educate us all......

Mary

 

 
New Post 6/5/2008 4:19 PM
User is offline Tom Halladay
357 posts




Re: Gunpowder Falls - Invasive Algae 

Is there a chemical / solution we could spray on our shoes / boat that would kill this binger of doom?  Although I'm shocked the stench alone of our river gear doesn't do the trick!


"Unconcious and upside down is no way to run a river."

 
New Post 6/5/2008 4:29 PM
User is offline Bob Swain
175 posts




Re: Gunpowder Falls - Invasive Algae 
Modified By Bob Swain  on 6/5/2008 3:18:17 PM)

 Tom Halladay wrote

Is there a chemical / solution we could spray on our shoes / boat that would kill this binger of doom?  Although I'm shocked the stench alone of our river gear doesn't do the trick!

If you click on the link to the govt. page on one of the posts you find the answer to your question. Amazing how this interweb works.

Anglers and other recreational users of Gunpowder Falls and surrounding waters are especially urged to make sure they don’t contribute to the spread of Didymo or any other aquatic invasive species. The public is asked to clean anything that comes into contact with stream water by scrubbing away all dirt and debris before leaving a stream. At home, disinfect equipment by soaking in a 5% salt solution (1 lb/ 5 gal) for several minutes, or scrub well with dish detergent and rinse well. If disinfection is not possible, let equipment dry completely for at least 48 hours. Anglers may want to consider having two sets of equipment in order to move safely from one spot to another.

From another page:

Anglers need to take the following precautions to avoid spreading Didymo:

·         Before leaving the river, remove all plants and algae from shoes, waders, life vests, boat hulls, trailers

·         Treat equipment with a 2% bleach solution or a 5% salt solution or dishwashing detergent


 
New Post 6/5/2008 5:19 PM
User is offline Ed Rohrbach
31 posts




Re: Gunpowder Falls - Invasive Algae 

I have seen this stuff in the Big Gunpowder, and I don't think we want to spread it. Aside from the damage it does to the ecology, it is unpleasant lookig and feeling and grows on everything on the river bed in thick ropey strands. I aked someone down there if bleach would kill it. They said yes but it will also damage your neoprene stuff. The suggest solution for fisher folk is to let your boots and gear dry out thoruughly in the sun for a couple of days. I am concerned that it will get into someones boat and live in the risiduale water that tends to remain there in between trips. The only suggestion I would have would be to spong out your boat thoruughly and let it dry between trips, or pour in some dilute bleach if you can't wait for that. 

Ed

 
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