Zebra and Quagga Mussels
To date, the Columbia River basin is the only region left in the U.S. that is not infested with zebra mussels, or the closely related quagga mussels.
According to the Oregon Invasive Species Council, the most significant concern is that zebra mussels may be unknowingly released and introduced into waterways. This could potentially cost millions of dollars in response efforts, monitoring, and ultimately maintenance costs if the mussels become established.
Once they get established, zebra and quagga mussels quickly take over a body of water and the chance that they will be eradicated is slim.
