Effects of Eurasian milfoil infestations and controls on water quality and potential impacts on Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussels in the Okanagan Valley

The Rocky Mountain ridged mussel (hereafter “RMRM”) was under Species at Risk Act review in 2019 to be re-scheduled from "Special Concern" to “Endangered”. This status change did not occur; however, as a consequence of the review, it did result in the restriction of rototilling (Eurasian) milfoil in locations of known RMRM. This study assessed whether current milfoil controls by mowing has altered water quality and habitat characteristics which support potential populations of RMRM in the Okanagan valley compared with controls. Habitat sites surveyed over a single growing season in Osoyoos (a managed lake) and Vaseux (an unmanaged lake) revealed most of the water quality parameters differed, but no RMRM mussels or shells were observed across treatment sites. Recommendations included completing detailed shoreline assessments for RMRM to support more informed and localized decisions on invasive macrophyte management (milfoil) and potential protection of RMRM in their jurisdictions.

Author dc:creator

• Waterfield, Elizabeth

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Dushenko, William

Identifier URI

http://dx.doi.org/10.25316/IR-19122

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.viurrspace.ca/server/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Anull%3A10613%2F27435