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Monitoring

The early detection mussel monitoring program in Idaho waters uses several methods, including plankton tow sample collection for veliger detection and static substrate and shoreline monitoring for adult detection. Sampling is focused on high-use and high-risk waters that have been identified by the Idaho Waterbody Ranking Assessment.

Sampling for settled adult mussels involves the use of static substrate samplers and shoreline surveys at high-use waterbodies throughout the state. Samplers are deployed on or adjacent to high watercraft use areas and they are inspected several times per season.

The substrate sampling effort was led by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in 2011. Other partners, including state and federal agencies, lake associations, tribes and canal companies, also monitor substrate samplers throughout the season.

---------------------------------------------------------------------Plankton Tow
Plankton tow samples for veliger detection are collected following the US Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) protocols. Sampling is conducted on waterbodies throughout the state, with the highest sampling frequency focused on high-use, “Critical” ranked waterbodies.

Waterbody ranking also determines sampling frequency, varying from one sampling event per season in lower risk waters to sampling at three week intervals at multiple locations in “Critical” waterbodies.

In the 2011 season, more than 530 plankton tow samples from 76 waterbodies were collected and analyzed for mussel veligers in Idaho. BOR provided all sample analysis services for the 2011 season. No evidence of mussels was found during the 2011 season.

2011 Substrate Sample Locations
2011 Veliger Sample Locations