The Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society (OASISS) is seeking dock owners in West Kelowna, Peachland and Summerland to help protect Okanagan lake invasive mussels.
The project was initiated in 2019 and enlists volunteers who own private docks on high-risk lakes in the Okanagan. Participating dock owners will be provided with a pair of monitors to attach to their docks and will be required to check them for invasive mussels just one a month from July through September.
“This project offers a chance for people to actively participate in combating an important environmental issue that would affect us all,” states Lisa Scott, Executive Director of OASISS. “The risk of contamination through watercraft is ever-present, making early detection crucial. The consequences of an invasion would be dire, causing irreversible damage to lake ecosystems, water quality, recreation and tourism, and municipal water infrastructure.”
To date, there has been no reported introduction of live zebra, quagga or golden mussels into B.C. lakes or waterways. The five main lakes in the Okanagan are classified as high-risk.
OASISS has been checking for invasive mussels in Okanagan lakes for 12 years.
The project is being funded by the Okanagan Basin Water Board as part of its “Don’t Move a Mussel” campaign.
If you are interested in this citizen science project, contact oasiss@shaw.ca .
Invasive mussel prevention tips can be found here.
