Idaho Reduces Quagga Mussel Infestation in Snake River by 51%

Efforts to control the invasive quagga mussels have shown significant progress in both California and Idaho, though challenges remain. At Lake Cachuma in California, ongoing prevention programs funded by the state have successfully kept the reservoir free from these mussels, which pose ecological risks by attaching to surfaces and disrupting local food webs. In Idaho, the State Department of Agriculture has reduced the quagga mussel infestation in the Snake River near Twin Falls by approximately 51%, shrinking the affected area from 7.2 to 3.5 river miles through targeted copper-based chemical treatments. Despite these treatments killing many local invertebrates, officials emphasize the necessity of intervention to prevent broader ecological and economic damage, given the mussels' threat to water infrastructure and agriculture. Idaho officials continue to refine their treatment strategy, aiming for full eradication while managing the unique challenges posed by the river's flow and depth. Local government leaders in Idaho have expressed strong support for these ongoing eradication efforts, highlighting the critical importance of containing the infestation.