News Release: Dreissenid Mussels Discovered in Lake Piru in Ventura County
From the California Department of Fish and Wildlife:
“Dreissenid mussels (quagga or zebra) have been discovered in Lake Piru in Ventura County. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is working with United Water Conservation District and Lake Piru Recreation Area staff to contain the infestation. … This discovery marks the first time quagga or zebra mussels have been found in a Southern California waterbody that does not receive water from the Colorado River. …
“Quagga and zebra mussels, non-native freshwater mussels native to Eurasia, multiply quickly and encrust watercraft and infrastructure, and compete for food with native and sport fish species. …
“Quagga mussels were first detected in the Colorado River system in January 2007 and were later found in San Diego and Riverside counties. They are now known to be in 26 waters in California. Zebra mussels were discovered in San Justo Reservoir in San Benito County in January 2008.”
Read more from the Department of Fish and Wildlife news release