SRBC Invasive Diatom Pine Creek Watershed Rock Snot

SRBC MONITORING STAFF CONFIRM SECOND OCCURRENCE OF INVASIVE DIATOM DIDYMOSPHENIA GEMINATA IN THE PINE CREEK WATERSHED

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Monitoring staff at the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC; www.srbc.net) have documented the second occurrence of the aquatic invasive species Didymosphenia geminata(didymo or “rock snot”) in the Susquehanna basin. Didymo was found in the West Branch of Pine Creek, Potter County, Pa. on October 16, 2013. Didymo is a highly invasive algae that has caused ecological harm in many high profile instances worldwide. The massive blooms and mats resulting from the spread of didymo have the potential to choke aquatic life in the basin’s high quality, cold water streams and rivers.

“The Commission takes very seriously one of its core functions of monitoring the health of the Susquehanna Basin’s aquatic ecosystems,” said SRBC Executive Director Andrew Dehoff. “The second discovery of didymo in the basin causes concern with regards to the potential threat it poses to the sensitive habitats found within our more pristine waters of the basin.”

The first occurrence of didymo in the Susquehanna basin was documented by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection biologists in June 2013, in the main stem of Pine Creek in Lycoming County near Waterville, Pa. Prior to that, such occurrences were documented in the Upper Delaware Watershed in Pennsylvania and New York as well as in several watersheds in southwestern Pennsylvania, western Maryland, and portions of West Virginia. 

Anglers, boaters, or anyone coming into contact with an infected waterway can unknowingly spread this microscopic alga, which can cling to fishing gear, waders, boots, and boats. Studies indicate that didymo can survive outside of a stream in a cool, dark, damp environment for at least 40 days, and only one cell is needed for it to spread. Those coming into contact with an infected waterway are encouraged to disinfect their gear to prevent further spread.

To find out more about didymo, the threats this aquatic invasive species poses to the Susquehanna basin, and detailed information on disinfection procedures, please visit the following websites for more information.

For the direct link to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s didymo information, visit their website at http://www.fish.state.pa.us/water/habitat/ans/didymo/faq_didymo.htm

For the direct link to the Pennsylvania Sea Grant’s didymo information, visit their website athttp://www.paseagrant.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Didymo2013_reduced.pdf

The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based SRBC is the governing agency established under a 100-year compact signed on December 24, 1970 by the federal government and the states of New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland to protect and wisely manage the water resources of the Susquehanna River Basin. The Susquehanna River starts in Cooperstown, New York, and flows 444 miles to Havre de Grace, Maryland, where the river meets the Chesapeake Bay.

Nice photo of the organism

Past Post on Rock Snot in DRBC (Fact sheet)

The original Press Release

Didymo (Rock Snot) Fact Sheet Delaware River PA, NY, NJ

This is not my work.  This website and posting was generated to help me learn more about this organism.

Source 1:
Source of this content -http://www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/didymo.shtm

The invasive algae known as Didymo has been found in the Elk River in the Webster Springs area following reports from anglers that heavy algal mats were seen in the Elk River.  DNR staff collected samples from three locations near Webster Springs.  The samples were sent to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for confirmation.  All three samples contained Didymo.

Didymo is a common name for Didymosphenia geminata, a freshwater diatom species that can form extensive mats on stream beds.  The thick mats can smother native algae and aquatic insects, and make fishing very difficult.  These thick mats appear slimy, but feel more like cotton or wool fabric.  The algal mats are also called “rock snot” and can be white, yellow or brown in color.  The algae form stalks that attach to rocks.   While the algae eventually die and break off, the stalks persist and may impact stream habitats and aquatic organisms for weeks or months.

Didymo is native to the northern latitudes of North America, Europe and Asia.  Its range has expanded and it now can be found in rivers in the western United States and more recently in Maryland, New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Vermont.  It has also been found in three western Virginia rivers (Jackson, Pound and Smith).
WV Didymo Poster
WV Wildlife Didymo TV Spot

What precautions should everyone take to avoid spreading Didymo?

Recreational users of West Virginia’s aquatic resources have the potential to spread aquatic invasive species and fish and wildlife pathogens from stream to stream and watershed to watershed.  Responsible stewards of our state waters take precautions to minimize the spread of these threats.  Follow these ‘Best Practices’ and Disinfection Procedures to minimize the spread of aquatic invasive species, such as Didymo, and fish and wildlife pathogens.  This approach is modeled after New Zealand’s widely-used ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ strategy. 

BEST PRACTICES for minimizing the spread of Didymo, other aquatic invasive species, and fish and wildlife pathogens:

• Anglers - Consider the use of easily disinfected wading gear.  For example, rubber-soled wading boots with cleats are easier to disinfect quickly than felt-soled boots. 
• All Users - Disinfect your gear and boat before traveling between different bodies of water or watersheds (see below).
• All Users - If you move around to fish, boat, play or work, construct and use a simple, portable disinfection kit.
• All Users - Visually inspect your boat, gear and equipment before entering and leaving the water.  Remove all plants, plant fragments, animals, mud or other debris and discard in the trash. 
• Anglers - When practical, fish in a downstream direction.  This doesn’t mean you can’t wade upstream a bit to fish that nice run upstream – think on a watershed scale.  By fishing at the mouth of a large river in the morning, then going to the headwaters in the afternoon without disinfecting your gear, you’ve potentially spread Didymo upstream to the whole stream, which may not have been previously infected.  Most algae and aquatic invasives/pathogens can’t swim upstream.
• Anglers, Guides, Outfitters - Designate waders/boots/canoes/tubes for different watersheds or have multiple sets available for same-day travel, when needed.
• Canoeists, Kayakers, Boaters, Tubers - Remove drain plug and drain any water prior to leaving boat loading/unloading area.  Don’t move water between waterbodies.

How can I properly disinfect my recreational equipment?

DISINFECTION PROCEDURES – Disinfect prior to moving to another waterbody, watershed, or upstream site
There are a number of disinfection techniques that will kill most aquatic invasive species and fish and wildlife pathogens, including Didymo.  Solutions of bleach or dishwashing detergent products are suggested as they provide the best combination of availability, cost AND effectiveness against Didymo as well as other aquatic invasive species and fish and wildlife pathogens, such as whirling disease.  Choose the appropriate agent based on the actual items requiring disinfection (i.e. bleach solutions can damage some items).  It is recommended that all disinfected equipment be rinsed on dry land, away from state waters.  It is preferable to drain used solutions into treated wastewater (e.g. pour down a sink drain).
Non-absorbent items (boats, canoes, rubber waders, ‘hard-sided’ objects)

• Dishwashing Detergent: soak and scrub for at least one minute in 5% solution (add 6.5oz of detergent with water to make one gallon).  ‘Green’ products are less effective and not recommended for disinfecting.
• Bleach: soak or spray all surfaces for at least one minute in 2% household bleach (2.5oz with water added to make one gallon).  Bleach solutions must be replaced daily to remain effective.
• Hot Water: soak for at least one minute in very hot water (above 140°F – hotter than most tap water) OR for at least 20 minutes in hot water kept above 120°F (hot tap water, uncomfortable to touch).
• Drying:  Drying will kill Didymo, but slightly moist environments will support some organisms for months.  This approach should only be used for gear that can be left in the sun for extended periods of time (i.e. a canoe that’s left in the yard for several days between uses).
• Freeze:  Place item in freezer until solid.

Absorbent items require longer soaking times to allow thorough penetration into the materials.  Felt-soled waders, for example, are difficult and take time to properly disinfect. Other absorbent items include clothing, wetsuits, sandals with fabric straps, or anything else that takes time to dry out.  The thicker and denser a material, the longer it will require for adequate disinfection.  Err on the side of caution.  Bleach solutions are not recommended for absorbent materials. 

• Hot Water:  Soak items for at least 40 minutes in very hot water kept above 140°F (hotter than most tap water).
• Dishwashing Detergent and hot water: (‘Green’ products are less effective and not recommended for disinfecting):  soak for 30 minutes in a hot 5% detergent/water solution kept above 120°F.

A simple, portable DISINFECTION KIT might include:

• Large trash can and/or medium sized Rubbermaid-type bin for soaking wading boots
• Large stiff bristle brush for scrubbing
• Spray bottle(s) or herbicidal pump spray can(s)
• Graduated cylinder or measuring cup
• 5% detergent solution and/or 2% bleach Solution

What should I do if I think I’ve found Didymo?

Please contact the DNR fisheries biologist at the nearest district office to report possible Didymo outbreaks.
Other sources of information on Didymo
http://www.epa.gov/region8/water/didymosphenia/International%20fact%20sheet.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/region8/water/didymosphenia/didymo_field_guide.pdf
http://www.vtwaterquality.org/lakes/docs/ans/lp_dididguide.pdf


Source # 2
http://www.vtwaterquality.org/lakes/htm/ans/lp_didymo.htm


Things you should know about Didymo in Vermont:

• Didymo can have negative ecological, economic and aesthetic impacts in infested areas, but how it will affect Vermont waters is unknown.
• There are many examples of rivers where Didymo does do not form nuisance blooms or mats.  Surveys can locate viable cells but, for some reason, they do not undergo rapid growth and excess production of stalk material.  Scientists around the world are still attempting to determine what factors limit or support this bloom activity.
• Scientific studies conducted around the globe have yet to show conclusively that Didymo has significant impacts to trout fisheries.  However, it remains a priority of the Agency of Natural Resources to limit the alga’s spread throughout the region, as a precaution.
• Spread prevention is the only effective management tool.  There are no known methods of eradicating Didymo once established.
• Vermont ANR is cooperating with a number of federal, state and other entities to monitor and reduce the spread of Didymo in the Northeast.
• You can do your part to minimize the spread of Didymo by following best practices and disinfecting your gear when using Vermont waters (for specific suggestions see below).
• Disinfection and best practices not only help to reduce the spread of Didymo, but other invasive species and pathogens such as VHS (viral hemorrhagic septicemia) or whirling disease as well.  It’s simply good stewardship.
• Didymo can be present in a stream yet be invisible to the naked eye, particularly during the early stages of an infestation or following heavy flows.  This holds true for many other aquatic nuisance species as well as fish diseases.  River users should incorporate the suggested best practices (listed below), including proper gear disinfection before moving between ANY waterbodies, whether they are declared positive or not. 

Other good sources

1. http://www.fish.state.pa.us/water/habitat/ans/didymo/faq_didymo.htm

2. Map for Part of PA, NY, NJ- showing distribution - http://www.fish.state.pa.us/water/habitat/ans/didymo/map_didymo.gif