LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — If invasive mussels were to get into Clear Lake, how would the county of Lake respond?
The Lake County Water Resources Department, partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and consultants at Creative Resource Strategies, invites the public to attend a virtual forum to discuss how the county will respond in the event invasive quagga or zebra mussels become introduced or established in Clear Lake.
The forum will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, via Zoom.
Click here to register.
Anyone that has a business or residence in Lake County, and/or values or recreates on Clear Lake or other lakes in the county is encouraged to participate in the webinar.
Clear Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake located entirely in California, and consistently ranks among Bassmaster’s top 10 bass fishing lakes.
Although Clear Lake provides ideal water quality conditions and habitat for an established mussel introduction, Clear Lake currently has no quagga or zebra mussels.
Lake County relies on a prevention program supported primarily through state grants. Local mussel stickers are also sold.
Clear Lake is the county's central feature, providing economic and ecological stability to the entire region.
However, the popularity and accessibility of Clear Lake, combined with water quality conditions optimal for mussel establishment, mean risk of invasive mussel invasion is extremely high.
The Feb. 2 webinar will share information on the invasive mussel rapid response and containment transition project, which is intended to improve the current Clear Lake aquatic invasive species program while preparing for an invasive mussel introduction to Clear Lake or Lake County.
The webinar will share the goals of the project and the approach that will be taken to achieve those goals, the timeline and products.
A containment and transition plan, feasibility analysis for permanent watercraft decontamination stations, and assessment of regulations and ordinances are three key outcomes.
Information regarding consequences to Clear Lake and neighboring lakes from a mussel invasion will also be shared, including potential impacts to county revenue and property values, effects on native fish and wildlife, and increased costs and maintenance for all water suppliers and self-supplied water users.
By preparing for an invasion, the county is seeking to mitigate effects to the local economy and natural resources.
The county said the commitment of local residents, boat ramp monitors, and county, state and federal agency personnel has been critical to preventing quagga and zebra mussel introduction in Clear Lake.
“Continued vigilance and collective action is essential; relenting in this important effort could invite far-reaching environmental and economic harm,” the county said in a statement on the meeting.
Information about the project can be found here.
The recording of the webinar will be posted here.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact the Water Resources Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone, at 707-263-2344.
Also visit the Water Resources Departments’ website or the Lake County Water Resources Department Facebook page, @lakecountywater.
County to hold virtual forum on how to respond in case of invasive mussel introduction
- LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
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