Courtesy: Facebook
A lakeside resident holds a cluster of zebra mussels discovered on the east side of Lake Massawippi. The photo, shared on Facebook on Aug. 1 with the caption “First time we have had zebra mussels. Lake Massawippi, east side. So disappointing,” reflects growing concerns about the invasive species’ spread.

Bleu Massawippi calls for emergency funding to save lake-saving efforts

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Lake Massawippi’s anti-zebra mussel diving operations could be suspended by the end of August unless emergency funding is secured, according to environmental nonprofit Bleu Massawippi. The organization has sounded the alarm, warning that the region risks losing years of progress in the fight against this invasive species if the program is halted.

“For us, it’s not about pointing fingers,” said Laurence Langevin, Director of Bleu Massawippi, in an interview Aug. 5. “We’re trying to rally the municipal, provincial and federal governments. Because it’s working — when we do it right and when we do it enough for the lake’s needs.”

A related press release states that the diving program, now in its fifth year, is a key component of Lake Massawippi’s zebra mussel containment strategy. Divers physically remove adult zebra mussels from targeted locations before they can reproduce. Each adult can release millions of microscopic larvae, known as veligers, which float invisibly through the water and colonize new areas. According to the organization, consistent diving pressure has led to decreased veliger presence in sensitive parts of the lake since 2022.

“Think of it as a ventilator,” Langevin explained. “The lake isn’t cured, but these interventions keep it alive while we work toward permanent solutions.”

But those interventions are expensive. According to Langevin, the town of Magog recently had to spend over $1.2 million to clean water pipes clogged by zebra mussels. “And that’s not a one-time fix,” she said. “It costs a lot of money year after year.”

Zebra mussels, which are not native to North America, threaten the lake’s biodiversity by outcompeting local species for food and habitat. “They filter so much water that they leave nothing for fish, native mussels, or other organisms,” said Langevin. “They also stack up on native freshwater mussels and plants, eventually killing them. We call it a ‘chapelet’ in French — like a beaded necklace — of zebra mussels choking out everything else.”

In addition to environmental damage, the mussels also pose safety and infrastructure risks. Their sharp shells litter beaches, making it dangerous for swimmers. They also clog water intakes for municipalities and lakeside homeowners.

Some residents have recently reported spotting zebra mussels in parts of the lake where they hadn’t seen them before. Langevin explained that while some new sightings reflect genuine spread, others may simply be cases of mussels maturing to a visible size. “They were probably already there — we may have just missed them when diving,” she said. “Or maybe there was a late spawning last year, because the water stayed warm so long into the fall.”

Bleu Massawippi encourages the public to report any sightings — but not to touch the mussels. “We always ask people to send us a photo so we can confirm what it is,” said Langevin. “Don’t touch them, don’t remove them, don’t kill them.”

There are two reasons for that. The first is that zebra mussels can easily be confused with native species. “We don’t want people accidentally harming the species we’re trying to protect,” she said.

The second reason is legal. “Right now, under our permit, we’re not allowed to give people instructions for removal,” Langevin explained. “We’re trying to change that, but until then, we can’t say how to do it, even if people want to help. If someone does it the wrong way, they could face a fine.”

Langevin said Bleu Massawippi is meeting with the provincial Ministry of the Environment to discuss ways to expand public participation in a responsible way. “We don’t want to be the only ones doing this,” she said. “We want to equip people with the tools to remove zebra mussels safely and effectively. But we need permission.”

In the meantime, the group is calling on citizens to pressure all levels of government for immediate support. “Emergency funding is needed to maintain the diving operations for the rest of 2025,” according to the official press release. Bleu Massawippi is also asking for a commitment to develop long-term invasive species management funding across Canada.

If the program stops now, the organization warns, the lake could face a rapid resurgence of the mussel population. The consequences would include beaches covered in sharp shells, blocked water systems, algae blooms, and steep declines in aquatic biodiversity.

“It’s not about doing nothing,” Langevin said. “It’s about doing the work together. We don’t want to be an example of collective failure — we want to be an example of collective mobilization.”

More information, including how to donate or get involved, is available at www.bleumassawippi.com.