Invasive Mussels

The Idaho Department of Agriculture says it wants to rid the river of invasive mussels for good, which hasn't been done before in a river system.

Zebra mussels cause damage to both native aquatic habitats and human infrastructure. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has been increasing its efforts to defect the bivalve ever since it was first discovered in the state in 2022.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff detected the larval stage of the zebra mussel in the Colorado River in New Castle in June, giving researchers a hint as to its origins in the basin.

Inspectors at Lake Tahoe recently discovered a new aquatic invasive species on a boat before it launched, sparking regional concerns. Officials say the incident serves as a reminder that people across the Mountain West should be on alert.

Quagga or zebra mussels have been detected in every state in the region except for Wyoming and New Mexico.