How did the zebra mussel get to California?

Despite efforts to control their western expansion, they have begun to rapidly invade California fresh water systems. Zebra mussels were first discovered in Lake St. Claire in the Great Lake Regions in 1988. Most Southern California waterways receiving raw water from the Colorado River are suspected of being infested.

How are quagga and zebra mussels a threat to California?

These two invasive, freshwater Eurasian mussels—zebra mussels and quagga mussels — could have a profound impact on California’s lakes and water distribution systems. Clogging of pipe by mussels. They attach themselves to water conveyance systems — pumps, pipes, dams, aqueducts, and fish hatcheries — and proliferate.

How far have zebra mussels spread?

Zebra mussels probably arrived in the Great Lakes in the 1980s via ballast water that was discharged by large ships from Europe. They have spread rapidly throughout the Great Lakes region and into the large rivers of the eastern Mississippi drainage.

What California lakes have quagga mussels?

They can live as deep as 400 feet below the surface. Quagga mussels were discovered in Lake Mead’s Boulder Basin in 2007, the first time they appeared in the western United States. They have been found in Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu and parts of California.

Where did quagga mussels come from in the US?

Quagga mussels were first found in the USA in the Great Lakes in 1989, Nevada in 2007, and California in 2008. Ballast water discharge from transoceanic ships is thought to be responsible for the long distance spread of zebra and quagga mussels from their original home ranges in eastern Europe.

How are quagga and zebra mussels harmful to the environment?

Quagga and Zebra (Dreissenid) mussels pose a serious threat to California’s waters and fisheries. The spread of these freshwater mussels threatens recreational boating and fishing, aquatic ecosystems and fisheries, water delivery systems, hydroelectric facilities, agriculture and the environment in general.

What to do about zebra mussels in California?

As a means to stop the spread of these harmful invasive mussels, California is asking boaters to clean, drain and dry their boats! Boaters should be prepared for inspections throughout the state designed to help ensure California’s water bodies remain mussel-free.

How much does quagga mussels cost Lake Tahoe?

Similar yearly management costs are anticipated for California. For example, a recent estimate (2009) by the Army Corps of Engineers indicates that quagga mussels could cause annual loses of $22 million to the Lake Tahoe region should they establish there.