ecological consequences

Canada Day boaters urged to be diligent about preventing spread of invasive mussels

Canada Day boaters urged to be diligent about preventing spread of invasive mussels

Summer has arrived in the Southern Interior, and those who look after our water are trying to keep unwanted guests out of the region. As tourists and locals alike head to area lakes, the Okanagan Basin Water Board and Okanagan-Similkameen Invasive Species Society remind boaters to clean, drain and dry their watercraft before putting them in local lakes. Anyone bringing any type of watercraft into the province, including kayaks and paddleboards, is reminded to stop at all mussel inspection stations along the way. For 11 years, the Don’t Move a Mussel campaign has been raising awareness of the potential impacts of invasive zebra and quagga mussels. To date, there have been no reported introductions of live zebra or quagga mussels into B.C. lakes. But, once introduced to a water body, invasive mussels can rapidly multiply and form dense colonies, leading to significant ecological and economic consequences.

Healthy rivers: How DNA tool can help keep tabs on freshwater quality

Healthy rivers: How DNA tool can help keep tabs on freshwater quality

In Canada, these watersheds are vast and often inaccessible, making it difficult to monitor the health of these ecosystems. But with the help of a new tool, scientists and community members are collecting data to better understand the state of Canada’s rivers.