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As reported in the Idaho Capital Sun, Idaho needs to have a “Critical Conversation” about what out of state boat traffic looks like. Idaho will be stepping up their boat inspection process to insure nothing is missed. You can help by taking extra effort to bring in a clean, mussel free boat.
Highly invasive and damaging Quagga Mussels were discovered in the Snake River near Twin Falls in 2023. The danger here in Idaho is particularly high because Idaho uses the river water for hydro power and irrigation, unlike many other waters where mussels have taken hold. Pipes used to deliver energy and irrigation water are easily clogged by mussel infestations. Additionally, destruction of the biodiversity of the land and recreational waters have huge impacts in terms of economic loss to the state. Not to mention the millions of dollars in effort to eradicate mussels from Idaho waters.
Quaggas are only about ¾” wide as adult mussels, the size of an adult human thumbnail. However a single female can produce a million microscopic eggs (veligers), and they drift in the current stream for 3 to 4 weeks, sufficient time to fertilize before landing on suitable substate to attach to. Waters that are contaminated with veligers are impossible for the boat owner to detect.
Idaho’s plan to eliminate quagga mussels is the largest effort of its kind ever in the United States. The treatments in 2023 and 2024 with Natrix (a copper based pesticide), costing nearly $4 million, reduced the infestation, but in the process thousands of fish were sacrificed. Unfortunately, it included close to 50 white sturgeon. The effort has made progress, but it remains an ongoing battle. Because an adult mussel can produce 2000-1 million eggs a year, finding any mussels is unacceptable to Idaho State Dept of Agriculture (ISDA) says.
If you bring a boat into Idaho from another state, or from the Snake River region near Twin Falls, please be aware of Idaho Law. Boats coming in from Arizona and Colorado are the highest risk to Idaho. Boats should be hot washed and thoroughly cleaned when leaving other waters, and you are required to stop at an Idaho boat inspection station on entry. It is also against the law to haul a boat with ballast or bilge tank water in it. Your ballast and bilge tank should be emptied, thoroughly cleaned and dry before entering Idaho.
Please do your part to keep mussels out of Idaho’s lakes and waters by taking this seriously too.
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