Originally published Oct. 17 on IdahoCapitalSun.com .Officials in Idaho say they are seeing fewer quagga mussel larvae and fewer dead fish compared to last year as they finish the second week of administering a copper chemical in the Snake River in an attempt to eliminate the invasive mussels.
Quagga mussel larvae were first detected in state water samples in the Snake River in September 2023 and then again on Sept. 24 of this year .
Contractors and officials with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture have been applying a copper-based chemical called Natrix in concentrations of one part per million to the Snake River near Twin Falls since Oct. 8.
In addition to applying Natrix to the river, state officials have also doubled their water sampling and monitoring program, created a series of watercraft inspection and hot wash stations across the state and launched a public affairs campaign helping educate the public to clean, drain and dry all boats, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, wading boots and anything else coming into contact with water that could spread the invasive mussels.