Kootenay Lake is home to native freshwater mussels like Margaritifera falcata (Western Pearlshell) and Anodonta species (e.g., Western Ridgemussel). These mussels live buried in sand or mud and help filter water, cycle nutrients, and support aquatic life.
But they’re at risk from invasive zebra and quagga mussels; tiny invaders that attach to hard surfaces, form dense colonies, smother native mussels, and damage water infrastructure.
How to tell them apart:
Native mussels: Larger, smooth shells, live buried in sand or mud, found alone or sparsely.
Invasive mussels: Small (under 3 cm), striped shells, cluster tightly onto hard surfaces like rocks, docks, boats, even native mussels.
Did you know?
BC has 31 native freshwater mussel species.
Invasive mussels aren’t in BC yet but would cause major ecological and economic harm if introduced.
Juvenile native mussels can resemble invasives, but their habitat (sand/mud vs. hard surfaces) is a key clue.
Freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered animal groups in North America.
Found something suspicious?
Take a photo, don’t touch it, and report it to the BC Invasive Mussel Defence Program or CKISS.
Help protect our waters:
Clean, Drain, Dry all watercraft and gear.
Thank you to @fortisbc for supporting the Clean Drain Dry program and Columbia Power for supporting ZQM water monitoring. The Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society recognizes the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, the Province of British Columbia, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada for making significant financial contributions to support the Preserving the Ecological Function of BC’s Freshwater, 2025 project. These lake monitoring efforts support the Province’s ongoing delivery of the Invasive Mussel Defence Program.
Photo credits: Native mussels from the Molalla River courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management
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