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Conservation Planning Branch
CA Department of Fish & Game
1416 Ninth Street, 12th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
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Invasive Species Program
Quagga and Zebra Mussels
![plastic pipe covered with quagga mussels](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20110629215618im_/http://www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel/images/th_abs_pipe_with_mussels.jpg)
![diagram showing where to inspect boat and trailer for quagga mussels](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20110629215618im_/http://www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel/images/th_boatgraphic.gif)
![quagga mussels at progressive growth stages](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20110629215618im_/http://www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel/images/th_quagga_in_hand.jpg)
![zebra mussels compared with a dime](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20110629215618im_/http://www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel/images/th_zebra_on_dime.jpg)
clean, drain and dry
Boaters should anticipate inspections at launch ramps around the state. Please note that the Department of Fish and Game is not responsible for these inspections. For information on boating restrictions and inspections please contact the waterbody manager directly. Remember to 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 Documents
- 2010 - Quagga-Zebra Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. Waters (PDF)
- Recommended Protocols and Standards for Watercraft Interception Programs (PDF)
- 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)
- 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)
- 2010 - Procedures for Conducting Underwater Searches for Invasive Mussels
Information Resources
- Information Line (866) 440-9530
- DFG News Releases
- 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)
- Fish and Game Code 2300-2: Aquatic Invasive Species
Outreach and Education Materials
- Zap the Zebra brochure
- Uninfested Water poster (PDF)
- Infested
Water poster
-- available by email request - 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
- 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 - Potential distribution of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) in California - Phase 1 report (PDF)
- 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)
- 2001 - Zebra Mussel's Calcium Threshold (PDF)
External Links
- About the Quagga Mussel
- Video: Summer Boaters beware of this invasive species...US Army Corps of Engineers Albuquerque District is working to educate lake lovers
- Video: Idaho works to prevent spread of invasive mussels
- Quagga mussel impacts on the Great Lakes ecosystem
- Educational SONGS about Aquatic Invasive Species
- Information on Tahoe Boat Inspections
- National Park - Lake Mead
- Wikipedia Article
- 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
- US Forest Service -- Fire Operations Guidance for Aquatic Invasive Species