Habitat Conservation
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- California Endangered Species Act Permitting
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- Lake & Streambed Alteration Program
- Timberland Conservation Program
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Invasive Species & Rare Plants
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Habitat
Conservation Planning Branch
CA Department of Fish & Game
1416 Ninth Street, 12th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
- Laws & Regulations
- How can I help
- Report a sighting
- Contact Us
- DFG Invasive Species Info
- External Sites
Invasive Species Program
Quagga and Zebra Mussels
clean, drain and dry
Boaters should expect inspections at launch ramps around the state.
Call ahead to check on restrictions and requirements, and always clean,
drain and dry.
Incident Description
Quagga mussels were discovered in Lake Mead in Nevada on Jan. 6, 2007, and later throughout Lake Mead’s lower basin. It was the first discovery of either of these mussels west of the Continental Divide. Subsequent surveys found smaller numbers of Quagga mussels in Lakes Mohave and Havasu in the Colorado River, and in the Colorado River Aqueduct System which serves Southern California. Surveys in August found Quagga in Lake Dixon and San Vicente Reservoir in San Diego County. All reservoirs, lakes and watersheds receiving raw Colorado River water have been exposed to Quagga mussels. The first confirmed find of Zebra mussels in California occurred at San Justo Reservoir Jan. 10, 2008. [MORE]
Maps
Training
- Videos
- DON'T MOVE A MUSSEL
Windows Media (Part I)
Windows Media (Part II)
Quicktime (Part I)
Quicktime (Part II) - To order this free video on DVD, send the
following information via
EMAIL to Stephen_Phillips@psmfc.org, or FAX to (503) 595-3232.
Only one video per person please.- Subject: DON'T MOVE A MUSSEL VIDEO ORDER
- Name
- Company
- Address, City, State, Zip
- Phone Number
- DON'T MOVE A MUSSEL
- Slide Presentations
- Contacts
Guidance and Planning Documents
- 2008 - Draft Guidelines to Reduce the Risk of Quagga/Zebra Mussels in California Aquaculture (PDF)
- Distinguishing Zebra and Quagga Mussels from Other Organisms (PDF)
- 2008 - Columbia River Basin Interagency Invasive Species Response Plan: Zebra Mussels and Other Dreissenid Species (PDF)
- 2007 - Quagga/Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention and Response Planning Guide by the National Parks Service (PDF)
Decontamination, Cleaning & Surveying Protocols
- Diver Decontamination Protocols (PDF)
- Boat, Watercraft Gear Cleaning Protocols (PDF)
- Zebra and Quagga Mussel Surface Survey Protocol (PDF)
- Zebra and Quagga Mussel Surface Survey Data Sheet (PDF)
- Zebra and Quagga Mussel Artificial Substrate Monitoring Protocol (PDF)
- Zebra and Quagga Mussel Veliger Sampling Protocol Vertical Tow (PDF)
Information Resources
- Information Line (866) 440-9530
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- Fact Sheet (PDF)
- What boaters can do to help (PDF)
- Boat
cleaning guide book (PDF)
High-resolution version appropriate for professional printing (23 MB PDF) - NEW! Invasive Mussel Guidebook for Recreational Water Managers and Users (PDF)
- Recent News Releases
Outreach and Education Materials
- Zap the Zebra brochure
- Uninfested Water poster (PDF)
- Infested Water poster (PDF)
- Watch
Card for Boaters (PDF)
- en Español (PDF)
- Image Gallery
To order printed Watch Cards and Posters, e-mail publications@dfg.ca.gov for an initial supply. DFG will provide an electronic file for reproducing additional copies.
Additional Information
- News story: Tiny mollusk invades county reservoirs
- Learn more about the Quagga Dogs: DFG's K-9 Unit unit sniffs out trouble
- YouTube VIDEO: Protecting Lake Tahoe from Aquatic Invasive Mussels and Species
Research
- 2008 - A calcium-based invasion risk assessment for zebra and quagga mussels (Dreissena spp) (PDF)
- 2007 - California's Response to the Zebra / Quagga Mussel Invasion in the West — Recommendations of the California Science Advisory Panel (PDF)
- 2007 - Potential Distribution of Zebra Mussels
and Quagga Mussels in California -- Phase 1 Report
- (To request a copy of this document, email dnorton@dfg.ca.gov.)
- 2001 - Zebra Mussel's Calcium Threshold (PDF)
External Links
- About the Quagga Mussel
- National Park - Lake Mead
- Wikipedia Article
- A new invasion: Quagga mussels take over lake (good video of quagga mussel on lake bottom)
- Zebra Mussel Watch
- US Fish & Wildlife Invasive Species
- The 100th Meridian Initiative -- Preventing the spread of aquatic nuisance species
- USGS Zebra and Quagga Mussel Information Resource Page -- includes information and maps generated by USGS
- USGS Map: Distribution of quagga/zebra mussels in the Southwest United States(PDF)
- USGS Map: Zebra and Quagga Mussel Sightings Distribution in the United States (JPG)
- US Bureau of Reclamation quagga/zebra site