Officials give opening update for Quagga Mussel impacted areas
While anticipation to get back on the river is known, there’s reasons why it remains closed. ISDA will continue to take samples to confirm that the Natrix treatment was effective
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —Even though the treatment phase has ended there’s still a lot happening to eradicate the invasive quagga mussel along the snake river.
When the quagga was found the Idaho State Department of Agriculture did survey’s along the river.
They took samples to see just how far the larva and gotten down river... And if any had matured to adults. A copper-based product called Natrix was used over ten days to kill the quagga larva and any adults, which one mussel was found.
That phase ended as of the 13th however, the ISDA is still hard at work along the treatment area.
Nic Zurfluh ISDA Invasive Species Bureau Chief says, “The first delimit was the first chapter and then the treatment was chapter two and then now we’re phasing into chapter number three. We’ll still have a presence on the river, obviously there’s going to be a lot of post treatment delineation surveys, we got a lot of crews out we’re demobilizing equipment cleaning stuff up in preparation for opening and I know there’s a lot of anticipation and excitement over what opening may look like.”
While anticipation to get back on the river is known, there’s reasons why it remains closed. ISDA will continue to take samples to confirm that the Natrix treatment was effective.
They are seeing positive signs like the adult mussel’s mortality and continue to check for things like deformed shells and other signs that the mussels have died.
But, the department is working towards the goal of opening the waterways once again.
“I envision a phased opening where we’re going to be opening some of the parks and some of the areas. The boat launches are most likely going to stay closed while we’re seeing this copper move through the system and that’s another part of the post treatment monitoring, we’re continuing to monitor copper levels throughout the system making sure that we’re finding that right time to open the river back up to the public. I would just urge a sense of patience and understanding as we’re working through this, said Zurfluh ”
ISDA has been providing updates on it’s website of current closures and as the restrictions are lifted.
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