Quagga and zebra mussels, invasive species that are miniscule in size, are at the center of the latest battle to protect Lake Tahoe.
These mussels, which are hitching rides on boats and trailers and in ballast tanks, bladders and live wells, are spreading across the West. Quagga and zebra mussels will spread rapidly once they are introduced to a lake and will gorge on the food supply, kill fish and pollute the clarity of the lake. They also will clog cooling system water intakes, causing motors to overheat. As well, they have been found in pipes in municipal water systems.
The mussels can also be found on kayaks, water toys, wetsuits and any equipment exposed to infected waters.
Young quagga mussels will feel like sandpaper to the touch, while adults usually have dark concentric rings on the shell. The mussels can grow up to 1.6”, making the young mussels hard to spot. Full grown mussels are usually smaller than a quarter.
In its latest battle to protect the lake, TRPA (Tahoe Regional Planning Agency) has instituted a mandatory inspection of all boats launched in Lake Tahoe. The inspections were offered free until a fee system went into effect on June 1. TRPA says the fees will cover their costs formerly paid for through a grant that has run out of funds.
Infected waters
Quagga mussels were discovered in Lake Mead in January 2007, and since then have been confirmed at lakes south of Lake Tahoe. Quagga and zebra mussels have been confirmed in waters of the Colorado River Drainage, Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu in California and Arizona, and the San Justo Reservoir in San Benito County.
Inspectors decontaminated six vessels in the Lake Tahoe area over Memorial Day weekend. One vessel was found to have quagga mussels, while the other five came from waters where mussels have been discovered.
Vessel fees
TRPA is charging inspection fees for all motorized vessels at public launches and area marinas. These fees are in addition to any launch fees levied at ramps and marinas.
Vessels that have an inspection fee intact when launched the next time will not have to pay a fee. The fees are:
· Non-motorized vessels & vessels with intact inspection seal – No charge
· Vessels up to 16’ - $10
· Vessels over 16’ & up to 25’ - $30
· Vessels over 25’ & up to 39’ - $40
· Vessels over 39’ - $60
· Vessels with ballast tanks, bladders & live wells - $10 additional
A 10-inspection discount card is available for boats that frequently launch at lakes that do not offer inspections or decontamination. The 25 percent discount cards are only available at the TRPA office in Stateline, Nev.
Preventing infestation
To prevent vessels from being infested, TRPA recommends these steps:
· Clean, drain and dry all equipment with every trip
· Wash watercraft and trailers with a high pressure hose at 140 degrees
· Learn how to inspect watercraft for mussels
· Let boats dry out for 28 days prior to transporting to other waters
· Wash fishing equipment, water toys, wetsuits and flotation devices in a diluted bleach solution prior to use in other waters
For more information, call the TRPA hotline at (888) 824-6267, visit www.protecttahoe.org, follow http://twitter.com/tahoeaquatic or text “Follow tahoeaquatic” to 40404.
