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Sea lampreys are an invasive species that can cause serious harm to the fish populations of the Great Lakes. There are larvae burrowed in the bottom of streams and rivers that need to be killed to control the population of the parasite.
Sea Lampreys harm fish populations in the Great Lakes by latching onto them, drawing out blood and flesh. The US Fish and Wildlife Service will apply lampricides to the Graveraet River today. They use special dyes to test the stream flow, so individuals may see the dye as green or red.
Lampricides have not been proven to have any significant detriment to human health, but as with any pesticides, the public is encouraged to limit their exposure as much as possible.
Those using the river for bait or other organisms in the stream water are advised to use an alternate water source while the pesticide is being applied. Agricultural irrigation must be stopped for 24 hours, during and after the application.
While the application is planned for today, the schedule may change due to any changes in weather or other variables.
Lampricides are carefully metered into the stream for approximately 12 hours, and continually analyzed at predetermined sites to assure that proper concentrations are maintained as the lampricides are carried downstream.
