The monitoring is conducted in coordination with our existing lake monitoring program whereby volunteers monitor lake water quality twice monthly. Zebra mussel monitoring consists of an examination of a brick suspended at least 10 feet into the water column. The zebra mussel program was launched as part of a nation-wide effort to help monitor and protect waterbodies from further infestation by zebra mussels. To date, no zebra mussels have been observed in the environment west of the continental divide. They are, however, spreading throughout the Mississippi River basin and have been found in boat bilges as far west as California.
Many scientists think their arrival in the Pacific Northwest is just a matter of time.
Presently, Ecology s zebra mussel monitoring program is unfunded. Obtaining federal grant money is essential to expanding and properly maintaining a state-wide zebra mussel monitoring program. Federal funding will allow Ecology to monitor additional waters using a variety of sophisticated monitoring techniques. Last updated May 7, 1997.