Date: 1/16/07


Contacts:
Edwin Lyngar, NDOW: (775) 742-2609
Roxanne Dey, NPS: (702) 293-8947
Larry Riley, AZGFD: (623) 680-2623

BOATERS URGED TO STOP SPREAD OF INVASIVE MUSSELS FROM LAKE MEAD

With the discovery of nonnative quagga mussels at Lake Mead, the National Park Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Nevada Department of Wildlife are urging boaters to take positive action to avoid spreading this aquatic invasive species. Though this species is easily spread when boats are moved from one water to another, there are steps boaters can follow to help contain these unwelcome mussels.

“We have identified a brief list of effective ways boaters can ensure that their boats do not become the means of infecting other waters,” said Doug Nielsen, a public information officer for the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

When removing a boat from Lake Mead, or any other infected water, boaters should do the following:

• Drain the water from your motor, live well, and bilge on land before leaving the immediate area of the lake.


• Flush the motor and bilges with hot, soapy water or a 5% solution of household bleach.


• Completely inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visual mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.


• Wash the hull, equipment, bilge and any other exposed surface with hot, soapy water or use a 5% solution of household bleach.


• Clean and wash your trailer, truck or any other equipment that touches the lake water. Mussels can live in small pockets where water collects.


• 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 exposed to infested waters.

Quagga mussels are biofoulers that obstruct pipes in municipal and industrial raw-water systems, requiring untold millions of dollars annually to treat. Each and every body of water that becomes infected with these creatures raises the financial costs and has serious impacts on native wildlife and the local ecosystem.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.