Zebra (left) and quagga mussels are aquatic invaders from the Ukraine that are hitchhiking their way across the United States on boats. Small but prolific, they reproduce by the billions, fouling pipes, piers, and propellers, generally wreaking havoc on ecosystems.
Now, they may be in Flathead Lake, reports Montana’s Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks in a 15 November 2010 news release:
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks may have found signs of exotic mussels in a routine plankton sample taken in July from the northern end of Flathead Lake near Woods Bay.
Eileen Ryce, FWP’s aquatic invasive species coordinator, said microscopic larvae suspected to be from exotic mussels may be contained in four of 17 plankton samples collected from the 200-square-mile lake between May and August. Samples were sent to three out-of-state laboratories for testing last week.
Test results from independent labs in the Midwest suggest that tiny organisms within the sample have characteristics consistent with zebra and quagga mussels. Results from a lab in Oregon, however, suggest the sample shows no sign of mussel contamination.
“These larvae are notoriously difficult to identify at this stage of development,” Ryce explained. “With this sample the question mark is the size of the larvae, which are significantly smaller than what we’d expect. But we’ll err on the side of caution.”
Ryce said FWP will send a team of divers to several locations on the north end of Flathead Lake to search for adult mussels, which could be as tiny as sesame seeds.
Vince Devlin has more details in a story in the Missoulian that everyone should read.
The mussels almost certainly will become established in Flathead Lake. Too many boats originating in infested areas move around the country, from infested lake to infested lake, and finally to Flathead Lake. No matter how diligently the owners of these boats clean their equipment, no decontamination program is perfect. Some day, if it is not already here, a zebra or quagga mussel will take up residence in Flathead Lake.
Aggressive measures taken now can slow the invasion. The 2009 legislature, led by State Senator Verdell Jackson (R-Kalispell), approved an aquatic invasive species act. Montana, through the DFWP, and partners such as the Flathead Lakers, has moved swiftly with an education and enforcement program for boaters. But if the presence of zebra and quagga mussels is confirmed, more intervention will be required — and that will cost more money. Local legislators should expect additional appropriations to be necessary and should be looking for the money now.