Don’t Move a Mussel — Now It’s the LawQuagga Mussels Have Invaded<strong>Arizona</strong>Quagga mussels are now established along vaststretches of the Colorado River <strong>and</strong> impoundmentson <strong>Arizona</strong>’s western border, including Lakes Powell,Mead, Mohave <strong>and</strong> Havasu. Mussels are in LakePleasant near Phoenix, Red Mountain Lake in Mesa,<strong>and</strong> are spreading through the Central <strong>Arizona</strong> Projectcanal, possibly into Salt River Project canals. Quagga<strong>and</strong> zebra mussels currently are the highest profilespecies on the department’s aquatic invasive specieslist (A.R.S. 17-255 — Director’s Order 1), which alsoincludes: New Zeal<strong>and</strong> mudsnail, rusty crayfish, giantsalvinia, snakehead, didymo (rock snot), red clawcrayfish, Asian carp, apple snail, largemouth bassvirus <strong>and</strong> whirling disease.Why are they a threat?As juveniles <strong>and</strong> adults, quagga mussels can attach toboats <strong>and</strong> other objects, grow shells <strong>and</strong> survive manydays out of water before reaching a new water location.Although quagga mussels (<strong>and</strong> closely relatedzebra mussels) do not pose a known threat to humanhealth, these mussels cause severe physical <strong>and</strong>ecological damages <strong>and</strong> plague recreational boaters.They attach themselves to a number of surface types,including boat hulls, engine intakes, livewells, throughhull fittings, bilges, water-intake valves, canals, pipes,aqueducts <strong>and</strong> dams. This requires huge operational<strong>and</strong> maintenance expense. In the United States,invasive mussels cost the power industry $3.1 billionin a six year period, while their impact on industries,businesses, <strong>and</strong> communities was an additional $5billion. Efficient as filter feeders, massive colonies ofmussels can alter lake productivity, fish growth <strong>and</strong>fish population balance.Check out www.azgfd.gov/ais for more details on aquatic invasivespecies Director’s Orders <strong>and</strong> boat decontamination protocols. Seealso R12-4-1101 <strong>and</strong> R12-4-1102 on pages 59-60.<strong>Arizona</strong> <strong>Game</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Fish</strong> <strong>Department</strong> AquaticInvasive Species (AIS) Decontamination Protocols(A.R.S. 17-255 — Director’s Order 3)dAY Users: Any watercraft, boats, vehicles, conveyances, or other equipment thathave been in or on aquatic invasive species (AIS) listed waters for 5 days or less(lakes powell, mead, mohave, havasu, pleasant, Bartlett, roosevelt, saguaro;<strong>and</strong> Lower Colorado river, Lees Ferry <strong>and</strong> the Lower salt/Verde rivers).day-use decontamination protocols:Step 1 Before leaving the vicinity of the AIS listed water, clean/remove anyclinging material.Step 2 remove the plug (keep it out) <strong>and</strong> drain the water.Step 3 dry completely.LonG term Users And moored BoAts: Any watercraft, boats, vehicles,equipment, or conveyances that have been in or on aquatic invasive species (AIS)listed waters for more than 5 days.M<strong>and</strong>atory decontamination protocols must include minimum dry times.Long-term moored Boat decontamination protocols:Step 1 Clean/remove any clinging material.Step 2 remove the plug (keep it out) <strong>and</strong> drain the water.Step 3 Physically remove all visible attached mussels.Step 4 Flush engine <strong>and</strong> cooling system with pressurized hot water.Step 5 Keep the boat out of the water <strong>and</strong> dry (desiccation) for a minimum of18 consecutive days during the months of November through April or 7consecutive days from May through October.Step 6 Completely fill out <strong>and</strong> file the required Aquatic invasive speciesBoating inspection report (AisBir). This form can be downloaded atwww.azgfd.gov/ais.Pull The Plug…OR PAY.IT’s The lAw.A propeller infested with quagga mussels.You must pull the plug when you leave anAIS listed water* or you may be cited.30 <strong>Arizona</strong> <strong>Game</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Fish</strong> <strong>Department</strong> • www.azgfd.gov* See complete listing of aquatic invasive species affected waters on page 60.
Boating InformationMotor Restrictions:powerboats restricted to a singleelectric motor on:Ackre LakeBear Canyon LakeBunch ReservoirCarnero LakeChaparral Park LakeCluff PondsCoconino ReservoirCoors LakeDankworth PondDogtown ReservoirFortuna LakeGoldwater LakeGranite Basin LakeHorsethief Basin LakeHulsey LakeJ.D. Dam LakeKnoll Lakepowerboats restricted to a single electricmotor or a single gasoline enginenot exceeding 10 horsepower on:Arivaca LakeAshurst LakeBecker LakeBig LakeBlack Canyon LakeC.C. Cragin (Blue Ridge)Cataract LakeChevelon Canyon LakeConcho LakeCrescent LakeFool Hollow LakeKaibab LakeKinnikinick LakeLittle Mormon LakeLee Valley LakeMcKellips Park PondPratt LakeQuigley PondRedondo LakeRiggs Flat LakeRoper LakeSanta Fe LakeScott’s ReservoirSierra Blanca LakeSoldier LakeStoneman LakeTunnel ReservoirWhitehorse LakeWillow Valley LakeWoodl<strong>and</strong> ReservoirWoods Canyon LakeLower Lake MaryLuna LakeLynx LakeMarshall LakeMexican Hay LakeNelson ReservoirParker Canyon LakePena Blanca LakeRainbow LakeRiver ReservoirShow Low LakeWhipple LakeWhite Mountain LakeWillow Springs LakeHookUpWiththeRightGear• Boat registration• Life jackets for all• Throwable PFD• Fire extinguisher (B-1)• Horn, whistle or bell• Navigation lightsVisit www.azgfd.gov/boating for additional boating tips<strong>and</strong> details on free boating safety courses in your area.special requirementsno watercraft allowed on:Frye Mesa ReservoirRose Canyon Lake(AGFD R12-4-517 (A)(B)(C))This list was effective May 24, 20112014 <strong>Arizona</strong> <strong>Fish</strong>ing Regulations 31