Federal government bans watercraft from Manitoba lake popular with tourists

The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.

The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.

Parks Canada says personal watercraft, including non-motorized items such as canoes and standup paddle boards, will not be allowed on Clear Lake.

The lake sits in Riding Mountain National Park in western Manitoba and is a hub of summertime activity.

There are some exceptions to the ban, including one commercial tour boat and a vessel from a nearby First Nation community.

Live zebra mussels were found in the lake last November, and Parks Canada has said an infestation of the invasive species could cause irreversible ecological damage to the lake and downstream bodies of water.

The federal department says the ban will last until officials determine whether a population of zebra mussels has been established in Clear Lake and until any potential remediation is done.

"The goal is to confirm whether an established colony of invasive mussels is present in Clear Lake and assess whether eradication is feasible," a statement from Parks Canada said Thursday.