Invasive Mussels Bring A New Threat to Mendocino County’s Recreational Waters

Whether you are an avid angler or just enjoying a day at the pond, a new threat to our recreational waters has the potential to ruin the fun and have long-term consequences for our water systems.

We need your help to prevent the introduction and establishment of invasive Quagga and Zebra Mussels in the ponds at Mill Creek County Park. When introduced into water bodies, these invasive mussels have negatively impacted fish and waterfowl populations, increased maintenance costs to drinking water and dam infrastructure, and altered ecosystem functions in detrimental and unmanageable ways.

There are currently no Quagga or Zebra Mussels in North Coast waterways, including Mill Creek Ponds, Lake Sonoma, or Lake Mendocino. Let’s keep it that way!

To prevent the spread of the mussels the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District has been conducting surface monitoring at the ponds. To increase public awareness of this issue, District staff will be on site to interact with anglers and recreationists on July 3^rd at Mill Creek Ponds. This year July 3^rd is Free Fishing Day, so anglers do not need a fishing license to fish in California.

By participating in a 3-minute survey on-line or in person with District staff, you are providing valuable information on how we can prevent the spread of Quagga and Zebra Mussels into Mendocino County. No personal information will be gathered; we are simply interested in your knowledge and perspective about invasive mussels!

- Advertisement -

The event is co-sponsored by the Mendocino County Water Agency, the California Division of Boating and Waterways, and the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District. To take the on-line survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5Z33LYB. For more information about the ongoing efforts to keep invasive mussels out of our local waterways, visit www.dontmoveamussel.com.