In Fall 2006 the TRCD was awarded a Bureau of Reclaimation Grant to remove and monitor Eurasian watermilfoil and Curlyleaf pondweed from Emerald Bay and Ski Run Marina. The TRCD's role in this grant is to administer the project for the grant parnters including; Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, California State Lands Commission, Tahoe Diver's Conservancy, and California State Parks. Thus, a more formalized effort against aquatic invasive species in Lake Tahoe began. Originally, the group formed under the Lake Tahoe Basin Weed Coordinating Group as a subcommittee. Then in January 2007 Quagga mussel was found in Lake Mead, NV and Lake Havasu, AZ. The subcommitte soon realized that they needed to expand out from aquatic weeds to aquatic invasive species. Thus, the first Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Workshop was held on May 3rd, 2007 to educate the public, decision makers, and recruit more partners.

• View the LTAISWG 2007 Annual Report
• Calendar of events
• Meeting agendas
  • June 2007
  • September 2007
  • December 2007
  • March 2008
• Meeting minutes
  • June 2007
  • September 2007
  • December 2007
  • March 2008
• List of AIS working group partners
• Volunteer!
• News!
  • Daily Democrat, 10/13/2007, "Governor Signs Wolk's Invasive Species Legislation"
  • UPDATE: Asian Clams in Tahoe 4/25/08
  • Quagga Mussel Press Release

WHY SHOULD I CARE?

Aquatic Invasive Weed Species Harm Lake Tahoe By:

• Hampering recreational uses, such as swimming, boating, water-skiing, fishing
• Clogging propellers
• Facilitating invasions of other non-native species
• Altering nutrient cycles
• Increasing algal growth in the lake by adding phosphorous to the water column thus contributing to clarity decline

SPECIES OF CONCERN

• Eurasian watermilfoil
• Curlyleaf pondweed
• Large mouth bass
• Smallmouth bass
• Black crappie
• Bluegill
• Zebra mussel
• Quagga mussel
• New Zealand mudsnail

Click here to see how Eurasian watermilfoil and Curly leaf pondweed have spread in Lake Tahoe since 1995.

Click here to see distribution maps of non-native fish in Lake Tahoe.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

• Wash watercraft with high pressure hose at 140 degrees
• Learn how to inspect watercraft for aquatic hitchhikers
• Let your boat dry out for 28 days prior to transporting to another waterbody
• Wash fishing equipment prior to use in another waterbody
• Report sightings to Lake Tahoe Aquatic Nusiance Specis Hotline 1-888-TAHO-ANS
• Volunteer with the TRCD to help educate other recreationalists
• Become involved in local policy..critique policies that are inefficient and promote those that work!

RESOURCES

• Eurasian watermilfoil
  • Western Aquatic Plant Management Society
  • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• Curlyleaf pondweed
  • University of Minnesota Extension Service
• Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants
• Zebra Mussel
  • Great Lakes Information Network
  • U.S. Dept of Ag. National Invasive Species Information Center
• Quagga Mussel
  • USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species
• General
  • 100th Meridian

QUAGGA/ZEBRA MUSSEL ALERT!!

These invasive mussels are native to the Ponto-Caspian Basin of Eurasia (Eastern Europe and Western Asia). Both can colonize on the surfaces of many things such as watercraft, docks, and waterpipes and native mollusks. Zebra and Quagga mussel can be identified by the striping and coloring of their shells. Zebra mussel have triangular shaped shells, while Quagga have a rounder shell shape.

In January 2007, Quagga mussel was found for the first time west of the Mississippi in Lake Mead, Lake Havasu, and the Colorado river. Once found these mussels can cost millions of dollars to control. For more information on what you can do to help, check out the website links listed above or call our hotline at 530.543.1501 ext. 113. To report a sighting call our Tahoe Aquatic Nuisance Species Hotline at 1-888-TAHO-ANS

Top: Zebra Mussel, Bottom: Quagga Mussel

SPECIAL THANKYOU!!•