Have Quagga Mussels Invaded Utah?

Water and wildlife managers are concerned because they have found the larval form of what could be zebra or quagga mussels in two reservoirs in NE Utah. The suspect reservoirs are Red Fleet near Vernal and Midview on the Ute Reservation).

Further tests are needed, and the larva may not be either of the invasive mussels.

Below are news reports about the concern.

- Troublesome mussels may have invaded Utah fisheries
- Utah waters may have mussels
- Unwelcome mussels may have entered Utah waters
- Despite prevention effort, invasive mussels may

Biologists have waged an intense battle trying to keep quagga and zebra mussels out of our waters. When they become established they cause all sorts of problems. They out-compete native organisms, sucking up available food sources. They clog pipelines and cause other kinds of damage.

The mussels are established in waters close to Utah and so sportsmen are reminded to take care that they don't transport them here. Boaters need to carefully clean boats and equipment before moving from one water to another.

The DWR has this good information about the problem, and how to help keep the mussels out: Quagga mussel update