Columbia River Basin Still Only Major Basin In U.S. Free Of Destructive Zebra/Quagga Mussels; Fluctuating Reservoirs May Provide Some Protection

The Columbia River basin in 2023 is still the only major river basin in the U.S. free of quagga and zebra mussels, largely due to the Northwest’s four-state watercraft inspection efforts, according to a presentation this week at the Northwest Power and Conservation Council by Stephen Phillips, senior program manager at the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.