Quagga Information
In 2007…
The first quagga mussel population was found in the Colorado River system in Lake Mead. Since 2007, these invasive fresh water mollusks have spread to 45 waterbodies in California. They are still getting closer. The quagga/zebra mussel threat is still very real for Big Bear Lake. Quagga mussels have been sighted as close as the Upper San Gabriel River, Lower Piru Creek, Pyramid Lake, Castaic Lake, and the Angeles Tunnel which connects Lake Silverwood to Lake Perris. Unfortunately many believe that the invasion of quagga or zebra mussels into Big Bear Lake is inevitable, and without your help it may be. However, the District believes that its quagga prevention program, its staff, and boaters and visitors like you can keep the mussels at bay. The District has received grant funding from the Division of Boating and Waterways since 2014 to help bolster its quagga/zebra mussel infestation prevention program. The District has installed two new decontamination units and an additional catchment drain pad at the East Launch Ramp to process double the amount of decontaminations. The District has been able to purchase new education material and signage to help spread the word about the mussels’ threats to new and returning visitors. The District also holds an annual class to certify anyone interested to become a Level I watercraft inspector - - all marina staff and lake front homeowners with launch ramps are required to attend!
The District still needs your help in defending the lake from quagga and zebra mussels. All vessels should arrive at the lake clean, drained, and dry. This means not only motorized boats but kayaks, canoes, float tubes, stand-up paddle boards, and inflatable kayaks and rafts. These non-motorized vessels require an inspection and a lake use permit which can be provided at any of the launch facilities on Big Bear Lake. Please do not launch your non-motorized vessel without an inspection by District or marina staff. It is quick and easy and it ensures YOU are not the person who ruins Big Bear Lake forever by introducing quagga or zebra mussels!
New Infestations in 2024
From the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
April 2024 - Castaic Lagoon
April 9, 2024 - Summary of Discovery
On April 9, California Department of Wildlife (CDFW)Invasive Species Program staff detected 12 veligers using cross-polarized microscopy in a plankton tow sample collected on February 23 at Castaic Lagoon, which is downstream of Castaic Lake. On April 10, CDFW staff also detected 33 veligers in a plankton tow sample collected on March 30 in Castaic Lagoon. The veligers in Castaic Lagoon have been confirmed to be quagga mussel via PCR and DNA sequencing.
Castaic Lagoon is located near the unincorporated community of Castaic in Los Angeles County. It is immediately downstream of Castaic Lake and used for non-powered boating, canoeing, and swimming. Castaic Lake and Castaic Lagoon are part of the State Water Project and of the Castaic Lake State Recreation Area. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is the water manager for Castaic Lagoon and the Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation manages recreational access.
Adult quagga mussels were discovered in Castaic Lake in 2021. Pyramid Lake, known to have quagga mussels since 2016, is upstream of Castaic Lake. Castaic Lagoon is immediately downstream of Castaic Lake and has been presumed to be exposed to mussels.
Castaic Lagoon discharges to Castaic Creek, a tributary to the Santa Clara River. Quagga mussels were discovered in the Santa Clara River
downstream of Castaic Creek below the confluence with Piru Creek in 2017.
For questions that are specific to DWR’s response, please contact Maggie Macias, DWR Information Officer at (916) 902-7405. For questions regarding CDFW’s response, please contact CDFW’s hotline at (866) 440-9530.
New Infestations in 2023
From the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
November 2023 - Freeman Diversion Facility (source water Santa Clara River)
November 9, 2023 - Summary of Discovery
On November 9, 2023, United Water Conservation District (United) found 80 adult quagga mussels at the upstream end of United’s owned and operated Freeman Diversion Facility (Facility). Since November 9, 2023, United has completed additional visual and tactile surveys of the Freeman Diversion Facility and has found limited numbers of adult quagga mussels at several locations throughout the Facility.
The Facility is located near the unincorporated community of Saticoy in Ventura County, California, and is used to redirect water from the Santa Clara River to spreading basins for groundwater recharge. Quagga mussels were discovered in the Santa Clara River upstream of the Freeman Diversion Facility 2017.
For questions specific to United response, please contact Hannah Gacria-Wickstrum, United Water Conservation District, at HannahG@unitedwater.org, or Marissa Caringella, MarissaC@unitedwater.org. For questions regarding CDFW’s response, please contact CDFW’s hotline at (866) 440-9530.
February 2023 - Foothill Feeder Pressure Control Structure (source water Castaic Lake)
November 9, 2023 - Summary of Discovery
February 10, 2023 - Summary of Discovery
On January 6, 2023, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) detected a single quagga mussel veliger using cross-polarized microscopy in a large volume plankton net sample collected at Metropolitan's Foothill Feeder Pressure Control Structure, which is downstream of Castaic Lake. The veliger was confirmed as a quagga mussel by PCR and DNA sequencing.
Adult quagga mussels were previously detected by the California Department of Water Resources in Castaic Lake in August 2021.
For questions specific to Metropolitan’s facilities and response, please contact Paul Rochelle, Water Quality Section Manager, at (909) 392-5155. For questions regarding CDFW’s response, please contact CDFW’s hotline at (866) 440-9530.
