TWIN FALLS, Idaho — Despite efforts to keep them out, the invasive quagga mussel is now in the Snake River. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) confirmed they found multiple samples of the mussel near Centennial Waterfront Park in Twin Falls - prompting several bodies of water to close.
The quagga mussels found are veligers - the larval form of the mussels. Officials said they had not yet attached to a surface, but they were found free floating in the water.
IDSA said the introduction of quagga mussels poses a huge threat to the state in terms of economics, recreation and water use.
"As they grow and mature, they will attach to any substrate they can," ISDA Director Chanel Tewalt said. "That includes irrigation pipes, piers, docks - all of the things that we want to keep free and clear from mussels."
The ISDA conducts boat inspections and collects water samples, which is how they found the mussel on Monday.
"Quagga mussels potentially choke out other populations," Tewalt said. "So, not only are they prolific in their spread, but they also consume what we need for other species. They can create monocultures within water systems. And then just their physical presence in the cluster of a colony basically chokes out irrigation line, hydroelectric use - all the things that we need as Idahoans for our water."
The department has been working to prevent invasive mussels from coming into the state's water for years, conducting more than one million watercraft inspections and collecting more than 15,000 water samples.
This is the first time that Idaho is going into a rapid response plan for quagga mussels.
"If we're not successful, an unchecked spread - which we're doing all we can to stop - has a potential to cost Idaho hundreds of millions of actual and indirect costs," Governor Brad Little said during a press conference Tuesday.
The rapid response plan includes the ISDA finding out how large the impact zone is, implementing containment measures, conducting delimiting surveys and evaluating treatments.
"What we need to look and see is what kind of treatment options are available that don't harm other species, don't harm the ecosystem - but help us with effective treatments," Tewalt said.
Teams have been deployed on and around the waters between Centennial Park and Shoshone Falls to monitor and survey the area.
The ISDA stated if people need to clean, drain and dry boats after recreation.
"This is a potential crisis, but a manageable one," Governor Little said. "Simply put, we are managing this potential crisis aggressively because we don't want to lose control. We do have a fighting chance and must give ourselves the best chance to stop this debilitating pest."
Closures:
- Centennial Park
On Tuesday, it was announced that no watercraft of any type will be allowed on the water between Centennial Park and Shoshone Falls. Access to Centennial Park is currently closed to all vehicles and is expected to reopen Saturday morning, according to the Twin Falls County Sheriff's Office. - Murtaugh Lake
On Wednesday, officials with the City of Twin Falls closed Murtaugh Lake boat ramp and docks as a precaution, in an effort to prevent the spread of the invasive mussels. The Twin Falls County Commissioners and Twin Falls Canal Company stated that access to the Murtaugh area will be closed for the next 30 days. All park, picnic and camping areas remain open to the public and will not be affected. - Shoshone Falls Park Boat Ramp
All watercrafts are prohibited, including kayaks, paddle boards, canoes and inflatable craft to help contain the spread of invasive quagga mussels. - Dierkes Lake Park
All watercrafts are prohibited a Dierkes Lake as an added measure to prevent the spread of the invasive species.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist:
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET NEWS FROM KTVB:
Download the KTVB News Mobile App
Apple iOS: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Watch news reports for FREE on YouTube: KTVB YouTube channel
Stream Live for FREE on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching 'KTVB'.
Stream Live for FREE on FIRE TV: Search ‘KTVB’ and click ‘Get’ to download.