It's been widely reported but since I have not seen it mentioned on the site I thought I'd pass this along.
The recent discovery of a destructive, exotic mussel in Lake Mead has put California officials on high alert for the invader, which can cause millions of dollars worth of damage to water pipes and foul aquatic ecosystems.
The Jan. 6 find of quagga mussels in Mead signals its western arrival, an event wildlife and water officials have been trying to stave off.
"This is the first infestation in the West. That is one of the concerns and disappointments," said Kent Turner, a National Park Service resource manager at Lake Mead, which is just east of Las Vegas on the Colorado River. "It's a big deal."
Until now the quagga and its equally mischievous and more common close relative, the zebra mussel, have been found primarily east of the Mississippi River, particularly in the Great Lakes. There, their massive colonies have clogged water intake and outfall pipes and altered basic aquatic food webs.
It is assumed the quagga arrived in Mead from the Midwest on a boat, the same way it could hitchhike out of Mead into lakes and rivers in California and other neighboring states.
"We're very concerned," said Susan Ellis, invasive species coordinator for the California Department of Fish and Game, which is working with other agencies to step up boat inspections and inform the public of the threat. "They can cause both environmental and economic problems."
Western states have been on guard against the mussel invasion for years. At Mead there have been several close calls, when zebras were found on out-of-state boats before they were launched into the water.
"Most biologists felt the spread of these mussels across the country would be inevitable," Mr. Turner said.
Native to Eastern Europe, zebra and quagga mussels were first discovered in the United States in the Great Lakes in the late 1980s and quickly established themselves in the region. Zebras have since spread into river drainages in the southern and eastern U.S. and quaggas have been found in the Mississippi River.
Although only quaggas have been so far identified in Mead, park officials say it's possible both types may be in the lake, which is North America's biggest reservoir and a popular boating destination for visitors from throughout the country.
As the article indicates Lake Powell is currently believed to be clean but with the proximity and the number of boats that regularly use both lakes you have to believe it's a matter of time.
Les
The recent discovery of a destructive, exotic mussel in Lake Mead has put California officials on high alert for the invader, which can cause millions of dollars worth of damage to water pipes and foul aquatic ecosystems.
The Jan. 6 find of quagga mussels in Mead signals its western arrival, an event wildlife and water officials have been trying to stave off.
"This is the first infestation in the West. That is one of the concerns and disappointments," said Kent Turner, a National Park Service resource manager at Lake Mead, which is just east of Las Vegas on the Colorado River. "It's a big deal."
Until now the quagga and its equally mischievous and more common close relative, the zebra mussel, have been found primarily east of the Mississippi River, particularly in the Great Lakes. There, their massive colonies have clogged water intake and outfall pipes and altered basic aquatic food webs.
It is assumed the quagga arrived in Mead from the Midwest on a boat, the same way it could hitchhike out of Mead into lakes and rivers in California and other neighboring states.
"We're very concerned," said Susan Ellis, invasive species coordinator for the California Department of Fish and Game, which is working with other agencies to step up boat inspections and inform the public of the threat. "They can cause both environmental and economic problems."
Western states have been on guard against the mussel invasion for years. At Mead there have been several close calls, when zebras were found on out-of-state boats before they were launched into the water.
"Most biologists felt the spread of these mussels across the country would be inevitable," Mr. Turner said.
Native to Eastern Europe, zebra and quagga mussels were first discovered in the United States in the Great Lakes in the late 1980s and quickly established themselves in the region. Zebras have since spread into river drainages in the southern and eastern U.S. and quaggas have been found in the Mississippi River.
Although only quaggas have been so far identified in Mead, park officials say it's possible both types may be in the lake, which is North America's biggest reservoir and a popular boating destination for visitors from throughout the country.
As the article indicates Lake Powell is currently believed to be clean but with the proximity and the number of boats that regularly use both lakes you have to believe it's a matter of time.
Les