Idaho inspectors see record number of mussel-infested boats

IDAHO FALLS(AP) — The Idaho Department of Agriculture says a record number of watercraft fouled with invasive mussels were caught at the state's boat inspection stations this year.

Still, officials report that Idaho's waterways remain free of the invasive quagga and zebra mussels, the Post Register reported Wednesday.

“We had a big year as far as quagga and zebra mussel-fouled boats,” said Nic Zurfluh with the Agriculture Department's invasive species office. “We’re currently at 52.”

That's just over the previous record of 50 infested boats caught in 2018. Idaho reported 35 mussel-fouled boats last year.

Most of the infested watercraft found this year came through the Idaho town of Malad after visiting Lake Powell in Utah. Lake Powell is infested with the non-native nuisance species, and Utah and Arizona state laws require boaters to clean watercraft after leaving the lake to avoid contaminating other waters.