Nevada plays a pivotal role in preventing widespread impacts from some of the most damaging aquatic invasive species (AIS) affecting the western united states

AIS can harm nevada s waters, destroy economies, restrict recreational opportunities, result in loss of property values and threaten public health. If quagga and or zebra mussels invade the columbia river, they could cost hydroelectric facilities alone up to $250 - 300 million annually. In 2007, when quagga mussels were detected at lake mead national recreation area (lmnra) and the colorado river system, western states realized their freshwater resources were at risk. In 2011, quagga mussel veligers were detected in RYE patch and lahontan reservoirs in northern nevada. Although unsuccessful at establishing populations, the presence of veligers at the two reservoirs illustrated the need for quagga mussel prevention and containment activities to be implemented. An agreement with the national park service (NPS) funds four permanent watercraft inspection and decontamination (WID) stations that inspect and decontaminate vessels leaving lmnra.through this project the nevada department of wildlife (ndow) provides no-charge WID at three high use reservoirs in northern nevada, RYE patch, wildhorse and south fork reservoirs. A third rover station primarily services topaz lake but will also be present at sparks marina for special events. Additionally, ndow operates one roadside WID stations, in alamo, nevada on U.S. HWY. 93 the role of the roadside WID station is to intercept any northbound quagga infested vessels that may have been missed by WID stations at lmnra. Additional stations are present at lahontan reservoir near fallon, nevada and on the colorado river near laughlin, nevada and are funding through an agreement with bureau of reclamation (BOR). During every boater contact ndow personnel distribute educational educational materials and explains the risk of AIS and the need for the clean, drain, dry (CDD) methodology. This is in addition to ongoing educational campaigns throughout the state. These campaigns include, but are not limited too, attending boating, fishing and outdoor events to communicate with boaters and other outdoor enthusiast to spread the need to protect nevada s waterways from AIS. Ndow will also hire a digital marketing company to GEO-fence reservoirs in the state and distribute AIS messaging, such as clean, drain, dry to devices of constituents who are actively boating.ndow will also monitor UN-infested reservoirs to ensure no new dreissenid mussels infestations have occured. Through this monitoring, if a new population is found ndow will be able to act immediatley to contain and eradicate the population. Nevada currently lacks a completed rapid response plan for dreissenid mussel and through this project a plan will be completed.