Province of BC
Travellers with watercraft of any kind are required to stop for watercraft inspection when travelling into or around BC.
The Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) is raising the alarm about recent discoveries of invasive Zebra and Quagga mussels.
Quagga mussels have been detected in the Snake River at Twin Falls, Idaho. This new detection, confirmed by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture in September, is the first of its kind in Idaho and the closest known presence of invasive mussels to BC.
The Snake River is a tributary to the Columbia River, creating concern that if the quagga mussels can’t be eradicated they could drift downstream to infest the trans-boundary Columbia. Authorities in Idaho have enacted a quarantine, banning boaters, hunters and fishers from being on the Snake River to prevent further spread of the mussels. Additionally, a molluscicide is being used to treat the river in an effort to kill the invasive mussels – a treatment which, unfortunately, bears side effects of killing fish and plant life. Yet, authorities are acknowledging that this is a better option than allowing the Quagga mussels to take hold.
Closer to home, the Province of BC reports that the Invasive Mussel Defence Program, which includes the operation of eight watercraft inspection stations around BC, has intercepted 10 mussel-infested watercraft between April 1st and August 14th. The infested watercraft were from Ontario, Michigan, Nevada, and South Carolina and were bound for the Okanagan, lower mainland, and Thompson-Nicola regions.
“We are very concerned a watercraft infested with Zebra or Quagga mussels will enter BC via an unchecked route or outside of station operating hours,” says Erin Vieira, Program Manager for the SWC.
The primary way that Zebra and Quagga mussels spread is via watercraft and other water gear. Adult mussels attach themselves directly, and juvenile mussels float freely in trapped water within boats and other items. The mussels can survive a long journey from one waterbody to another attached to watercraft, despite being out of water for several days.
credit El Dorado Irrigation District
Quagga mussels have colonized on these sections of pipe. The pipe on the right has been in quagga-mussel infested waters for just six months.
What’s at risk?
Once introduced to a waterbody, the mussels wreak havoc on aquatic ecosystems and on underwater infrastructure. Zebra and quagga mussels can cling to and colonize on surfaces underwater: boats, dock pilings, water supply systems and irrigation systems, docks, and inside hydro-electric facilities. Additionally, they litter beaches with their small razor-sharp shells, they produce foul odours, and they pollute water quality putting a lake ecosystem and drinking water at risk. They can substantially alter aquatic food webs, which could contribute to the collapse of important native fish populations such as Pacific salmon.
A report published by the Province of BC in May estimates an annual cost range of $64 - $129 million to deal with the impacts of invasive mussels in BC. These costs would be borne by tax-payers, business and property owners for regular maintenance on hydro and water supply infrastructure, agriculture and golf course irrigation, maintenance to boats and marinas, lost revenues from the tourism industry, and loss in property values.
What should watercraft owners do to prevent the spread of invasive mussels?
Watercraft inspection is BC’s strongest line of defence against invasive Zebra and Quagga Mussels. Travellers with any kind of watercraft must stop for inspection – that includes boats, paddleboards, kayaks and canoes, inflatables, and personal watercraft. Provincial Conservation Officers will inspect your watercraft, and decontaminate it if necessary, free of charge. Failing to stop for watercraft inspection carries a fine up to $345. Visitors planning to travel to BC with a watercraft can contact the Provincial Program in advance by sending an email to COS.Aquatic.Invasive.Species@gov.bc.ca. If you are bringing a watercraft to BC and missed inspection, you are urged not to launch until you’ve contacted the Provincial Program.
Additionally, watercraft users should practice Clean-Drain-Dry every time they move their watercraft. Clean all watercraft, trailers and equipment including waders and fishing gear; drain all compartments and items holding water onto dry land; and dry all items completely before launching into another body of water.
“All it takes is one contaminated boat or watercraft launching into BC waters, and our freshwater could be altered forever,” says Vieira.
About: The Shuswap Watershed Council is a watershed-based partnership that works on water quality and safe recreation in the Shuswap.
Contact: For more information, please contact Erin Vieira at the Shuswap Watershed Council c/o the Fraser Basin Council in Kamloops at 250 314-9660.