Montana’s wildlife agency confirmed that there is a positive hit for zebra and quagga mussels in a reservoir located in the eastern part of the state. This is a little too close to comfort for us here in B.C.! We are just one of a handful of provinces and states that are still zebra and quagga mussel free…and we want to keep it that way!
![Keep Kootenay Lake pristine - Clean Drain Dry All your watercraft and equipment! Keep Kootenay Lake pristine - Clean Drain Dry All your watercraft and equipment!](https://ckiss.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/AIS-Social-Costs-.jpg)
“Stephanie Hester, the Montana Invasive Species Advisory Council Coordinator, said contamination in the Tiber Reservoir east of Shelby — first detected Oct. 17 — was likely contaminated by a recreational watercraft that had not been properly cleaned.” – Daily Inter Lake.com
Tiny Mussels cause BIG Problems
![Zebra Mussels](https://ckiss.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/1m1.jpg)
- Filter water to the point where food sources such as plankton are removed. This alters foods webs, displaces native fish and plants and lowers biodiversity.
- Impact fish and wildlife and drinking water by increasing toxic algal blooms.
- Affect recreational activities by cutting swimmers feet as a result of their sharp shells.
- Increase costs associated with maintaining infrastructure related to power generation, sewage and water facilities.
- Damage you boat and waterfront property, costing you BIG BUCKS to replace or repair
Mussels damaging a boat engine -US Fish and Wildlife Service
How can I help keep BC waters free of invasive species?
IMPORTANT: If your boat has recently been in an area with zebra or quagga mussels: call 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP line) before launching into any body of water. It would only take 1 mussel-infested boat to devastate B.C. lakes. Protect our waters!
![musselsmap-01 Please note that this map was updated in April 2016. If your boat has been to Montana or any other red states/provinces please call the RAPP line.](https://ckiss.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/musselsmap-01.jpg)
To prevent aquatic invasive species from ending up in our lakes, make sure that you Clean, Drain and Dry your watercraft when moving between water bodies as follows:
- CLEAN: Remove plants, animals and mud from your boat, trailer, and equipment. Need to find a place to wash your boat? Download Commercial boatwash locations.
- DRAIN: Drain your bilge, ballast, buckets, and any other water containers onto dry land,
- DRY: All items should be completely dry before launching into another waterbody