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Aquatic Invasive Species Program

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) have devastating environmental and economic impacts on businesses, communities, and native species populations. Most invasive species do not have predators to keep their populations in balance and once introduced, are difficult if not impossible to eradicate. Unfortunately, many invasive species such as New Zealand mudsnails, Asian clams, Eurasian watermilfoil, and curly-leaf pondweed have already been introduced into Lake Tahoe.

Tahoe RCD works to prevent the introduction of new invasive species, educate the public on AIS, control existing populations of AIS, and monitor for new populations around the Lake.  Tahoe RCD is the co-chair of the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Coordination Committee (LTAISCC), designed to collaborate on prevention, control, and early detection of AIS.  

Prevention and Education are performed primarily by the Prevention Program through watercraft inspections and outreach campaigns. Control and Monitoring are performed by the Control Program.

Tahoe RCD works in 4 primary ways to combat AIS in Lake Tahoe:

  • Prevent the introduction of new invasive species
  • Educate the public about invasive species
  • Control (remove) existing invasive species
  • Monitor for new invasive species populations
     
A scuba diver underwater using a suction hose on the seafloor.
The Control Program contracts divers to remove already established invasive plant species. 
A person hosing down a boat on a trailer outdoors.
The AIS Prevention Program, Tahoe Boat Inspections inspects watercraft for invasive species so stop the spread of AIS.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Species are we preventing, and what species are we controlling?

Invasive Plant Species:

The Control program works with public and private partners to remove populations of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)

A branch with leaves floating on water, shot from above, creating a slight reflection.
Curly-leaf pondweed
A single green plant with roots floating against a deep blue water background.
Eurasian watermilfoil

Invasive Animal Species:

The Prevention program works to prevent all invasive species from entering the lake.  This helps to prevent new invasions and the spread of existing AIS.  Of the species not currently found in Lake Tahoe, the biggest threat is posed by quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) and zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha).  In 2023, the invasive, New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) was unfortuntely introduced into Lake Tahoe. 

A cluster of zebra mussels attached to a surface.
Zebra mussels
A close-up of several snail shells clustered together on a surface.
Quagga mussels
A coin surrounded by tiny shells.
New Zealand mudsnails

 

Native and naturalized species

Invasive species such as quagga mussels, zebra mussels, Asian clams, and New Zealand mudsnails should not be confused with native aquatic mollusk species. The Western pearlshell mussel (Margaritifera falcata) and the Great Basin rams-horn snail (Helisoma newberryi), shown below, are native to the Lake Tahoe basin and an important part of the local ecosystem. If you observe these species, please do not handle or disturb them.

A mussel with barnacles attached on a pebbly surface.
Western pearlshell mussel
Close-up of various sea shells and pebbles underwater.
Great Basin rams-horn snail

 

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