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Protecting Tahoe from invasive
species
By Katherine E. Hill
 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.
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 over Memorial Day
weekend. One vessel was found to have quagga mussels,
while the other five came from waters where mussels have
been discovered.
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.
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
twitter.com/tahoeaquatic or text “Follow
tahoeaquatic” to 40404.
Katherine E. Hill loves
being on the water and is always looking to hitch a ride
on the Lake. If you have any ideas, suggestions or are
planning an outing on any of our beautiful lakes and
need a deck hand, e-mail
editor@tahoethisweek.com or visit
www.tahoeboating.blogspot.com.
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