Two tiny, aquatic critters have devastated fishing waters, plugged water delivery systems and ruined boats all across the nation, but so far, efforts in Utah have largely prevented the spread of quagga and zebra mussels.
In 2007, the Division of Wildlife Resources, the Utah Legislature and several statewide partners launched a massive effort to keep mussels from invading Utah's lakes and reservoirs. The mussels are mainly spread from one body of water to another by hitching a ride on boats.
Since 2007, evidence that quagga or zebra mussels might be in Utah has been found in eight waters. However, as of this month, only one of those waters -- Sand Hollow Reservoir near St. George -- is still classified as possibly having mussels in it, said Larry Dalton, aquatic invasive species coordinator for the DWR.