Protect Our Waters - Don’t Move a Mussel

Mendocino County, CA- Have you heard of the invasive mussels threatening California’s waterways? Quagga and Zebra mussels are native to Europe and were introduced to the United States in the 1980s.These small organisms cause massive damage to boats, public infrastructure, and local ecosystems as they spread. Quagga and Zebra mussels have infiltrated waterways in Central and Southern California, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they do not continue spreading to other lakes and rivers. Once established in a waterbody, invasive mussels form dense populations that envelop water pipes, boat hulls and engines, as well as degrade aquatic habitat by outcompeting native species.

Fortunately, there are currently no known populations of Quagga and Zebra mussels in North Coast waterways, including Lake Mendocino and the Mill Creek Ponds. There are programs across California that aim to stop the spread of invasive mussels through education and prevention. For example, Lake Mendocino requires inspections at the boat ramps prior to launching, ensuring that no watercraft can enter the lake without confirming the vessel has been cleaned, drained, and dried. These quick, free inspections are crucial to ensuring that watercraft entering the lake do not unknowingly introduce invasive mussels, which are nearly impossible to remove once they are established.

The local monitoring program at Mill Creek Ponds is a collaborative effort between Mendocino County, the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District (MCRCD). Each month, MCRCD staff monitor water quality at Mill Creek Ponds, sending samples to a laboratory to test for the presence of invasive mussels. To prevent causing a new infestation, ensure that you clean your boat and all associated gear, remove any plant material, and drain all bilge, ballast, and other areas where water collects before and after launching in any body of water.

Do your part to protect our local waterways: Clean, Drain, Dry, and don’t move a mussel!

Want to learn more about the mussel prevention program? Visit www.mendocinocounty.gov/dontmoveamussel.

Test your knowledge of invasive mussels with our survey: tinyurl.com/QZMussel

An adult quagga mussel (left) and zebra mussel (middle) are about the size of a fingernail. The larvae are microscopic and could hitch a ride on your watercraft unless you follow the clean, drain, dry protocol. The photo on the right demonstrates the devastating effects of mussel infestations on submerged equipment, including boats and pipes.

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