Temporary boat ban on Clear Lake needed to curb spread of zebra mussels, Parks Canada says

Parks Canada says a ban on watercraft on Clear Lake this summer is intended to protect the lake and prevent any further spread of zebra mussels.

An invasion of zebra mussels in the western Manitoba lake, in Riding Mountain National Park, would have a significant ecological and environmental impact, said Dameon Wall, a spokesperson for Parks Canada, during a Friday morning news conference held via Zoom. 

Zebra mussels could float all the way from Clear Lake to The Forks in downtown Winnipeg, which would have a "permanent cost" for thousands of Manitoba residents, including effects on the environment, agriculture, recreation and drinking water, he said.

"It's become clear how important Clear Lake is to so many people," Wall said.

The lake drains into the Little Saskatchewan River, which flows into the Assiniboine River. Those water bodies pass through five First Nations, as well as the cities of Brandon and Portage la Prairie, Parks Canada notes.

"Nobody wins when zebra mussels show up," Wall said. "That's why Parks Canada has been working closely with others to try and prevent an invasion from taking hold."

The ban is effective immediately, Parks Canada said, and will be in place "for the time required to determine if a population of zebra mussels has been established in Clear Lake and for any potential remediation during the 2024 open water season only," a Thursday Parks Canada news release said.

The temporary ban applies to all watercraft, including motorized boats, canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards.

Swimming and fishing from shore or wharfs will still be allowed, as will the use of beach toys, inflatables and personal floatation devices, but they must be properly decontaminated before going in the water. 

There will be limited exemptions to the temporary ban. The Martese — a commercial tour boat — will be allowed on the lake, as well as Parks Canada watercraft and a vessel from Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation for cultural use of their traditional waters, Parks Canada said.

Those watercraft will be part of Parks Canada's research and will be inspected regularly.

Parks Canada says the ban is needed to determine whether there is an established colony of zebra mussels in Clear Lake and if eradication is possible, but personal watercraft can complicate that work while increasing the risk of spread.

Parks Canada officials found live adult zebra mussels in Clear Lake at Boat Cove in Riding Mountain National Park last November.

Since then, it's collected thousands of water sample tests. All test results from water samples taken throughout the winter of 2024 have come up negative for zebra mussel environmental DNA, an April update on Parks Canada's website said. 

However, the invasive species could still be present in the lake, since "in cold water, zebra mussels are less metabolically active and are much less likely to shed eDNA," the federal agency said.

"We're going to continue intensive monitoring here in the open water season," said Tim Town, an ecologist team leader for Parks Canada.

'An emotional issue': local business owner

Wall said Friday park staff have had many conversations with people regarding concerns about the lake and how businesses may be affected by the ban, which staff took into consideration while making the decision. 

"What we've heard is an overwhelming consensus to do what's best for the lake for now and for the future," Wall says. 

Karly McRae, president of Lakehouse Properties, said since "rumblings" of a watercraft ban began, there's been a "significant" impact on bookings and cancellations in Riding Mountain.

"This community is not a community full of big corporations," McRae, whose company operates resort properties and an event centre in Riding Mountain, told CBC on Friday.

"Some of us have lived here our entire lives and chose to raise families here, and so we are employing local people who are now also worried about the sustainability of their jobs and their own ability to put food on the table, because tourism in this community really is what sustains it."

McRae said she wants to see the government complete an economic impact assessment on the boat ban in the community, and come up with a long-term plan.

"It is such an emotional issue, but I think it's so important for everyone with all perspectives to sit together and talk about this and to really explore ways that we can work together on this issue moving forward."

James Plewak, an official with a coalition of First Nations with interest in Riding Mountain who attended the Zoom meeting, said a zebra mussel infestation in Clear Lake would be "devastating."

His coalition, which includes seven First Nations that have historical, cultural and traditional interests in the land that became the park, wants to be involved in future discussions if more zebra mussels are found during the summer.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said during an unrelated press conference on Friday that he's disappointed in the federal government's lack of action to prevent zebra mussels at Clear Lake. 

"Where was the action last summer? Where was the action in previous years to prevent zebra mussels from coming to Clear Lake?" he says. 

"We have to do right by the lake and the environment — I think everyone gets that — but just the way it's been handled with the closure, and not a lot of conversation or consultation, I don't think was the best approach." 

He said the province is spending $500,000 to fight the spread of aquatic invasive species and increase watercraft inspection and decontamination stations across the province. 

Parks Canada says it will add additional staff to help monitor the lake and enforce the ban.

People who violate the temporary ban could be arrested, face a maximum fine of $25,000 and have their watercraft seized under the Canada National Parks Act, the Parks Canada website says. 

Wall says enforcement will begin with having a discussion with offenders, which may result in a ticket being issued, but arrest is "highly unlikely."