Invasive Species Program

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

• Locations of Quagga and Zebra Mussels in California (JPEG)
• Check Station Map from CDFA (JPEG)

Training

• Videos
  • DON'T MOVE A MUSSEL II

    PSMFC "Don't Move A Mussel 2011" HD NEW
    PSMFC "Inspection & Decontamination 2011" HD NEW

  • To order this free video on DVD, send the following information via
    EMAIL to sanderson@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
• Slide Presentations
  • Boat Inspection Training Presentation (PDF)

Guidance Documents

• 2012 - USBR's Inspection and Cleaning Manual for Equipment and Vehicles to Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species (PDF)
• 2011 - Infested Reservoirs in California - A summary of the quagga and zebra mussel infestation (PDF)
• 2011 - Bay Delta Rapid Response Plan for Dreissenid Mussels (PDF)
• 2010 - Quagga-Zebra Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. Waters(PDF)
• Uniform Minimum 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

• Aquatic Invasive Species Decontamination Protocol (PDF)
• 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's Quagga/Zebra Mussel Project Overview Presentation (PDF)
• Local DFG Contacts, by County (PDF)
• 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)
• Invasive Mussel Guidebook for Recreational Water Managers and Users (PDF)
• Fish and Game Code 2300-2: Aquatic Invasive Species
• Don't Move a Mussel - Seaplanes
• Seaplanes - Critical Waters (PDF)

Outreach and Education Materials

• Western State Quagga / Zebra Mussel Rack Card (PDF)
• Zap the Zebra brochure
• Uninfested Water poster (PDF)
• Infested Water poster
     -- available by email request
• Rack Card for Boaters (PDF)
  • en Español (PDF)
• Image Gallery

To order printed Rack Cards and Posters, e-mail invasives@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

• 2011 - California Aquatic Invasive Species Rapid Response Fund – An Economic Evaluation
• 2010 - Addressing the Challenge of Mutual Acceptance of Dreissenid Mussel Vessel Certification Programs – A Pathway to Reciprocity
• 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)
  • DFG Director's letter announcing report to other state agencies (PDF)
• 2001 - Zebra Mussel's Calcium Threshold (PDF)

External Links

• About the Quagga Mussel
  • USGS Quagga Mussel Info
  • USFWS Quagga Mussel Info (PDF)
• 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