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Condensed from NPS Information

1998:   Scientists predict Lake Powell would be the first western body of water infested with zebra mussels.

1999:   Glen Canyon begins risk assessment & monitoring- Counting boat trailer license plates from infested states in parking lots and visual monitoring for mussels on buoys, docks and other substrates.

2000:   Glen Canyon NRA (GCNRA) begins screening boats at entrance stations for risky boats. They are asked to take a free voluntary decontamination.  ARAMARK offers free hot water boat decontamination at Wahweap, Bullfrog, and Halls Crossing Marinas.

2002:   First documented boat with adult zebra mussels attached is found and decontaminated at Lake Powell. Monitoring for zebra mussels in Lake Powell was improved at marina areas lake-wide.

2003:   GCNRA established new regulations; Decontamination no longer voluntary- Boats coming from states with quagga or zebra mussel infested waters within 30 days to be decontaminated before launching in Lake Powell.  

2005:   Antelope Point Marina opens and begins offering hot water boat washes to prevent quagga and zebra mussels from infesting Lake Powell. Quagga mussels became established in Lake Mead, but would not be discovered until 2007.

2007:   Quagga mussels are detected for first time west of Rocky Mountains in Lake Mead. Glen Canyon NRA requires all vessels to be certified “MUSSEL FREE” prior to launching.

2007-2008:   GCNRA fosters a multi-organization cooperative effort focused on protecting Lake Powell. The park begins developing a prevention program that includes four main aspects: Coordination, Education/Outreach, Monitoring, and Interdiction. A program manager is hired at end of 2008 to oversee administration and field work.

•    Coordination: Public relations, funding opportunities, overseeing internal and external partnerships (over 20 local, state, and federal organizations) ensure effective inspection and decontamination services, and provide training opportunities for NPS, state, partners and staff.
•    Education and Outreach: An educated boating community is the best defense against spreading zebra mussels. At GCNRA, signs and information are at entrance booth, self-certification stations, and launch ramps to inform visitors of the threat and of vessel requirements.

•    Monitoring:  Lake Powell is monitored extensively by GCNRA, Bureau of Reclamation, and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Plankton samples and artificial substrates are used for early detection of larvae and settling mussels. Plankton samples are processed by NPS Staff in GCNRA Water Laboratory.

•    Interdiction:  Screen every vessel that comes to Lake Powell – Screening involves questions regarding the vessel’s history, high risk ones are inspected and decontaminated if needed. All vehicles with watercraft trailers must display a “MUSSEL FREE” certificate on dashboard. Certificates are issued when the vessel poses no threat to Lake Powell. Visitor self-screening and certification is required when NPS staff is not available. Failure to comply with the park’s prevention efforts can lead to a $5.000 fine, a mandatory court appearance, and up to 6 months in jail.

2009:   This is the first year Glen Canyon NRA has funding to implement many of the ideas penetrated in 2007 and 2008. While coordination is ongoing, the following aspects of the program have improved and expanded.

•    Education and Outreach expands to include a variety of media and interpretive outlets: boat shows, public awareness days, service learning projects, and promoting partnerships with the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers campaign.

•    Monitoring capability for early detection: purchase of a FlowCam to enable park’s biologists to analyze water samples at a much faster rate.

•    Interdiction expands to include:    

♦   NPS interdiction rangers are hired lake-wide to screen, inspect and decontaminate boats, provide education to the public, and check boater compliance with NPS mussel regulations

♦    NPS interdiction rangers remain on staff through winter at Wahweap and Bullfrog♦   Fee booth remain open to December

♦    Self-certification is eliminated at all major launch locations

♦    Closure of launch ramps during night time hours

♦    Closure of some launch ramps during the winter months

♦    Improved enforcement of park regulations;

◊    Full quarantines implemented for 12 vessels

◊    300+ citations issued

◊   $2500 fine issued to boater in court

For additional information, go to the NPS website at www.nps.gov/glca. For information on the damages the mussels could bring to Lake Powell, go to www.100thMeridian.org or www.ProtectYourWaters.net.