With boating season, these lakes are finding a way to stop the spread of zebra mussels

A new group is working to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species in Eastern South Dakota's lakes.

While the South Dakota Lakes and Streams Association has been around for several years, it has been inactive for the past two. But a new group is coming together to reactivate the association to focus on preventing the spread of zebra mussels between lakes.

The first monthly meeting was May 17, and the next meeting is June 13 at the East Dakota Water Development office in Brookings. The office is located at 132 Airport Ave.

The association is open to anyone. Yearly membership for lake associations costs $50, while a yearly membership for individuals costs $20, said member and former president Janie Whitmeier.

More: Resolution encourages state to research zebra mussels, other invasive species in SD lakes

Several lakes are represented in the association, including Enemy Swim Lake, Lake Cochrane, Mina Lake, Clear Lake and Lake Campbell.

Whitmeier was involved in the association before its inactivity, although the new president is Dan Loveland, who is also president of the Pickerel Lake Conservancy.

Loveland previously told the American News that the revamped association would help different lakes collaborate in order to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species, especially the spread of zebra mussels.

Zebra mussels spread from lake to lake when they attach to boats, easily infesting other lakes. And because several lakes are already infested with zebra mussels, others are taking preventative measures.

More: Here's how Enemy Swim Lake successfully kept zebra mussels at bay this summer

Last summer, the Enemy Swim Preservation Association successfully prevented zebra mussels from infesting the lake, with volunteers inspecting and cleaning every boat that entered the lake. Because veligers, or baby zebra mussels, are microscopic, they often cannot be seen by a visual search.

Zebra mussel control efforts are also becoming a priority. At the legislative session in March, the Game, Fish and Parks department agreed to supply five additional boat cleaning stations to help stop the spread of zebra mussels.

The new associations hope to come up with similar ways to stop the spread of zebra mussels as well as other aquatic invasive species. Anyone interested in joining can purchase a yearly membership from January through December. Checks can be mailed to PO Box 688, Brookings, S.D. 57006. More information can also be found at the association's Facebook page.

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: lakes and streams association aim to prevent spread of zebra mussels