The Santa Clara Valley Water District is working with other local and state agencies to help prevent an infestation of zebra or quagga mussels in our local reservoirs. An infestation of either invasive species would wreak havoc on the ecosystem and our water supply infrastructure. In other areas of the country where these mussels have appeared, millions of dollars are spent to control them. As they multiply and grow, the mussels form thick blankets that are difficult to remove and are almost impossible to eradicate. They clog pipes, pumps, valves, water intakes, trash racks, and boat engines.

Zebra mussels were discovered in January 2008 in San Justo Reservoir in nearby San Benito County, the first time they had been found in a California water body. Quagga mussels were discovered in California for the first time in 2007 and have spread quickly into several reservoirs in Southern California.

The main way mussels spread is through boats moving from infested waters to another water body. Zebra and quagga mussels attach to boats and aquatic plants carried by boats. They also commonly attach to bait buckets and other recreational equipment. These mussels are easily spread through microscopic larvae in water held in a live well, bilge or bait bucket. Boaters can take specific steps to avoid spreading invasive species.

Don’t spread invasive species.

Inspect all exposed surfaces - small mussels feel like sandpaper to the touch.

• Wash the hull of each watercraft thoroughly.
• Remove all plants and animal material.
• Drain all water and dry all areas.
• Drain and dry the lower outboard unit.
• Clean and dry all live-wells.
• Empty and dry any buckets.
• Dispose of all bait in the trash.
• Wait 5 days and keep watercraft dry between launches into different fresh waters.