The Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society says the region鈥檚 waterways remain free of invasive mussels.
The society has monitored waterways from Swan Lake near Vernon to the Similkameen Valley for the past 12 years.
Over the past year, 153 samples were collected from eight lakes and one river.
鈥淲e were pleased to expand into the Similkameen this year, and work with both the Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands,鈥� said Lisa Scott, executive director of the society. 鈥淧revention efforts require strong partnerships.鈥�
Quagga mussels were discovered in the Snake River in Idaho in September 2023 and in the fall of 2024. The location at Twin Falls is less than an 11-hour drive from the B.C. border, heightening concerns throughout the region.
鈥淧rotecting our rivers and lakes from invasive mussels is vital to the health of our freshwater ecosystems and fish,鈥� said Mason Squakin, tmixw community liaison with the Upper Similkameen Indian Band.
At present, no invasive mussels have been detected in the province.
Zebra and quagga mussels present risks because of their ability to damage water infrastructure and outcompete with the province鈥檚 native species.
If these species were introduced to the province, the costs of removing and managing them would be estimated at $64 million to $129 million a year.
The society urges people travelling with watercraft to clean, drain and dry before entering a new waterbody. It is now illegal to transport a watercraft with the drain plug still in place in British Columbia.
