Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2009CO202B

Developing Barriers to the Upstream Migration of New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) Phase III - Laboratory and Field Evaluations of Mudsnail Response to Copper-Based Materials Under Varied Water Quality Conditions

Institute: Colorado
Year Established: 2009 Start Date: 2009-03-01 End Date: 2010-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $5,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $2,350

Principal Investigators: Christopher Myrick

Project Summary: New Zealand mudsnails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) are an invasive aquatic species that are expanding their range in the western United States through both passive and active modes of dispersal. The presence of New Zealand mudsnails threaten the biodiversity of stream benthic communities and have resulted in stream closures in Colorado and California that have reduced recreational opportunities. Additionally, aquaculture facilities that discharge effluent directly into mudsnail positive waters are at risk of invasion by this organism. To date, aquaculture facilities in Colorado, Montana, and Utah have been temporary closed or quarantined and restrictions have been set on where fish from these facilities can be stocked.