Quagga mussels, a type of invasive mussel commonly referred to as zebra mussels, have recently been discovered for the first time in the western United States.  Mussels were initially discovered on January 6, 2007 in Lake Mead. They have subsequently been discovered in other lakes and waterways of CA, NV, AZ, and CO. In the meantime, the National Park Service's existing quagga and zebra mussel prevention program remains in place. Currently, Lake Powell and the upper Colorado River basin are believed to be free of quagga and zebra mussels. However, zebra and quagga mussels pose a major threat to Lake Powell and the upper Colorado River if they were to become established. Experts fear that zebra mussels could spread quickly through the Colorado River watershed and potentially establish themselves in other river systems.

Glen Canyon NRA Initially Announced its Expanded Zebra Mussel Prevention Program on March 30, 2007. Click here to read more. In May 2008, Glen Canyon NRA further expanded its prevention program. Click here to read more.

Contact the Glen Canyon NRA Zebra Mussel hotline at (928) 608-6257 for the latest information.

Save Time and Self Certify!

You are required to comply with Glen Canyon National Recreation Area’s zebra mussel prevention program before you may launch your boat into Lake Powell.  For most boaters, this will be a simple process. 

Save time when you get to the park by self certifying that your boats are free of zebra or quagga mussels before you arrive. Click here to download a self certification packet.

Stop the Spread! Read this online brochure, and print it out for your boater friends. Thanks to the American Park Network for this brochure.

What has the Aquatic Resources Management Branch of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area done for zebra mussel prevention in 2007? Read this report (4.6Mb pdf) for more information.

What are zebra mussels?

Zebra mussels are a particularly damaging aquatic nuisance species. They are dark and light stripped freshwater bivalve mollusks that are native to Eastern Europe and western Asia. Individual mussels grow to a size of about 1.5 inches. They were first discovered in North America in 1988 in Lake St. Clair, one of the water bodies connecting the Great Lakes. It is believed that this invasive species was introduced through ballast water discharges from international shipping. Following their initial invasion, zebra mussels spread quickly across most of the eastern United States and Canada. Zebra mussels are inadvertently transported to new water bodies by recreationally boaters. They can be transport either as adult mussels that are attached to a vessel, or in any part of the vessel that may harbor small amounts of water that can contain larval mussels.

Zebra mussels cause severe economic and ecological damage. Zebra mussels are biofoulers, attaching to most hard surfaces including boats, docks, cables, and water intake structures. They form thick mats that may be up to 18 inches thick. These mats can contain hundreds of thousands of individual mussels. In western Lake Erie, over 700,000 mussels were discovered in one square meter! Ecologically, zebra mussels drastically alter the ecology of infested water bodies and may severalty impact sport fisheries. Zebra mussels are filter feeders and each animal filters approximately one liter of water per day, removing algae and small zooplankton from the water column.  When this occurs, the algae and zooplankton are no longer available to support higher levels of the food chain. Often, the sport fishery is compromised.

Tell me more! (Zebra and quagga mussel FAQ)

Join the 100th Meridian Initiative in its efforts to keep zebra mussels out of the waters of the Western United States.

Prevent the spread of invasive mussels!

If you plan to boat or recreate in infested waters, take care not to spread the mussels. If your vessel has recently been in zebra mussel infested waters, as identified in park information materials, you are required to get an inspection of your vessel. This inspection may require your boat be decontaminated using a special high temperature wash. Specialized boat washes are provided at Wahweap, Bullfrog, and Halls Crossing by ARAMARK and at Antelope Point by Antelope Point Holdings, LLC from 7am - 7pm. There will be a charge for this service.

All boaters should get in the good habit of cleaning their boat thoroughly every time they leave any body of water. 

When taking boats and equipment out of the water at any lake:

• Drain water from the motor, live well, and bilge on land before leaving the immediate area of the lake.
• Completely inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.
• Remove any vegetation and mud attached to the equipment.

Before driving out of the local community:

• Flush the motor and bilges with hot soapy water.
• Wash the hull, equipment, and any other exposed surface with hot soapy water.
• Clean and wash the trailer, vehicle, and any other equipment that has come in contact with lake water.

When you return home:

• Air-dry the boat and other equipment for at least five days before launching in any other waterway.
• Do not reuse bait once it has been in the water and allow all fishing tackle to air dry for at least 5 days before fishing in other lakes and streams.
• Visit www.100thmeridian.org and www.ProtectYourWaters.net to find more information about zebra mussels and other aquatic nuisance species.

Glen Canyon NRA began a proactive zebra mussel prevention program in 1999. Through this program, the park has continually monitored for zebra mussel infestations in Lake Powell. Since 2003, the park has required all vessels identified as having a high risk of transporting zebra mussels to Lake Powell to undergo an abatement procedure.  Vessels identified as high risk are required to get a specialized boat and equipment wash before launching in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Glen Canyon NRA continues to be one of the leaders in zebra mussel prevention in the western United States.