ASHLAND, OR— Staff with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reported finding invasive quagga mussels on a motorboat entering the state earlier this month, marking the first such interception in 2026.
According to ODFW, the mussels were discovered March 21 at the Ashland Boat Inspection Station on a vessel being transported from Lake Havasu, Arizona. The boat was decontaminated at the station, and all attached mussels were removed and disposed of.
Quagga mussels are an invasive freshwater species that can damage infrastructure, harm native ecosystems and spread rapidly if introduced into new waterways.
ODFW reminded watercraft owners that Oregon law requires all vehicles transporting boats to stop at open inspection stations for aquatic invasive species checks. Stations are considered open when orange “Boat Inspection Ahead” signs are posted, followed by “Inspection Required for All Watercraft.”
Since the state’s Watercraft Inspection Station program began in 2010, ODFW reports crews have inspected 246,748 watercraft. Of those, 185 were found carrying invasive freshwater mussels, while 3,758 had other types of aquatic biofouling.
Officials encourage boaters to be aware of inspection station locations throughout Oregon and to comply with all inspection requirements to help prevent the spread of invasive species.
