Divers search for zebra mussels

Contact:

Susan Siravo
Office: (408) 265-2607, ext. 2290
Mobile: (408) 398-0754

The Santa Clara Valley Water District and the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) coordinated efforts to inspect two Santa Clara County reservoirs for the invasive zebra mussel species on February 8, 2008.

DFG deployed certified scuba divers into Calero and Anderson Reservoirs to search for the zebra mussels, along with two other invasive and destructive species, the Quagga mussel and New Zealand mud snail.  These species have been known to rapidly spread and clog pipes and water pumps and significantly disrupt the ecosystem. 

In addition to the two reservoirs, divers also searched some creeks and percolation ponds. They did not locate any mussels and will determine if any other inspections are needed.

The water district and DFG  began taking aggressive steps after the discovery of zebra mussels in San Benito County’s San Justo Reservoir. There is a chance that these mussels will be found in other local waterways because they are commonly transported by recreational boats.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District manages wholesale drinking water resources and provides stewardship for the county's watersheds, including 10 reservoirs, hundreds of miles of streams and groundwater basins. The water district also provides flood protection throughout Santa Clara County