Aquatic Invasive Species

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Attention Boaters!

Boat Inspections Begin at Lake Tahoe in an Effort to
Prevent the Spread of Invasive Mussels

Mandatory inspections of all boats launching at Lake Tahoe began the week of June 9, 2008. The mandatory inspections are part of a joint effort to stop the spread of Quagga and Zebra Mussels that are threatening to invade Lake Tahoe. Federal, state and local agencies are working to educate the public about the danger such an invasion poses to the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe.

Photo Credit: Daniel L. Gustafson

New Zealand Mudsnail
(Potamopyrgus antipodarum)

The Lake Tahoe Basin with its many rivers, lakes and streams is especially vulnerable to Aquatic Invasive Species. Along with the invasive Quagga and Zebra Mussel, there is a concern for the tiny but potentially threatening New Zealand Mud Snail. There are many agencies working hard to prevent the introduction of Aquatic invasive species into Lake Tahoe and other lakes in the Basin.

The New Zealand Mud Snail is very small, 3 to 6 mm or 1/8 of an inch, with brown or black cone-shaped shells with five whorls and is native to New Zealand. They were first discovered in North America in the late 1980's in the Snake River in Idaho and the Madison River in Montana. In 2000 the mudsnail was discovered in California in the Owens River located in eastern California.

These invasive snails have the ability to reproduce quickly and mass in high densities. There is concern that mudsnails will impact the food chain of native trout and because of their sheer numbers can disrupt ecosystems they infest. They spread easily by attaching themselves to aquatic plants, fishing gear and boats. Also, just one snail can start a new infestation because they reproduce without mating, essentially cloning themselves.

New Zealand Mud Snails compared to a penny.
Photo credit: Robyn Draheim, Portland State University.

Related Links

100th Meridian Initiative
California Department of Fish and Game
Protect Your Waters
Tahoe Resource Conservation District - Aquatic Invasives
USGS Distribution Map

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