Inspectors keep invasive mussels out of Lake Tahoe
Diligent inspectors have helped keep Lake Tahoe free of quagga and zebra mussels.
During the 2013 boating season Tahoe Resource Conservation District workers inspected more than 14,000 vessels entering either Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake or Echo Lake. Half were new inspections, while the remainder had intact Tahoe-issued inspection seals.
Thirty-six of the inspected watercraft were harboring aquatic invasive critters including plants, mussels and snails. TRCD decontaminated 4,221 watercraft with hot water to prevent invasive species from entering Tahoe’s waters.
Invasive aquatic species are getting closer to the basin. This summer Nevada Department of Wildlife confirmed New Zealand mudsnails in sections of the Truckee River from Mayberry Park in Reno to the Sparks area.
“Clean, drained and dry” is the motto of the program.
TRCD inspectors also staffed Boca, Prosser and Stampede reservoirs and partnered with the Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District to provide watercraft inspectors at Donner Lake. Truckee inspectors screened more than 3,500 vessels for aquatic invasive species.
Prevention efforts for more than 7,000 paddlers occurred at U.S. Forest Service kiosks, boat ramps and Fallen Leaf Lake. They were assessed for their risk of transporting aquatic invasive species from previously visited water bodies.
Information about the boat inspection program, including hours of operation for boat launches and snow closures, is available online or by calling 888.824.6267.
Inspections alone will not prevent an infestation. When Zebra and Quagga mussels are young they are about the size of a grain of sand (not visible by the human eye) Mandatory boat wash programs need to be established for both going in and out of Lake Tahoe.
Currently lake Tahoe is infested with Eurasian Watermilfoil, Curlyleaf Pondweed, and the Asian Clam. Many other lakes in the area are clean and want to stay that way. This is the reason Fallen Leaf Lake started a mandatory Boat Wash program many years ago, they wanted to protect the lake from the stuff in Tahoe.
If we are going to keep Tahoe clean, things will need to change. Mandatory Boat Wash programs will need established in the near future.