PREVENTION IS THE ONLY SOLUTION. IT'S UP TO YOU! KEEP FLATHEAD LAKE FREE OF INVASIVE MUSSELS our mission is to develop and implement programs and strategies designed to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species into waters of the Flathead Reservation, and to help contain, control and where possible, eradicate aquatic invasive species already present on the Reservation. CLEAN. DRAIN. DRY. Tiny, razor-sharp shells would coat and clog every hard surface of the lake - rocks, boats, docks & dams. Clean Clean off all plants, animals, and mud from your watercraft (canoe, kayak, boat) and equipment (boots, waders, fishing gear). Use a high pressure washer or available power washing stations. If you use your own high pressure washer or a car wash, make sure the water goes into a contained-water holding area. Rinse with very hot water (140°F). Invasive Mussels Would Ravage the Lake Environment Zebra and quagga mussels devastate native species by stripping the food web of plankton, and that has a cascading effect throughout the ecosystem. Lack of food causes populations of native trout, whitefish and native mussel species to plummet. Invasive mussels typically cause harmful algal blooms and permanently alter water quality in a way that impacts aquatic life and even human health. Drain Drain onto land all water from bait buckets, live wells, pumps, motor, bilges, and remove drain plugs. Eliminate all water BEFORE LEAVING an area where you have had your boat and trailer. AIS PROGRAM Dry Dry all items completely before launching the watercraft into another body of water. Allow at least five days for you boat, trailer, and equipment to completely dry before launching into other waters. $1.5 Billion $95 Million/Yr Lake front property along Flathead Lake is currently valued at 6 to 8 billion dollars. Invasive mussels would cause a 13 to 19% drop in property values within 3 years (a $1.5 billion drop). Impacts to tourism, hydropower, and infrastructure (irrigation systems, power facilities, and municipal water supply and treatment) could cost more than $95 million a year. Once established, invasive mussels will be here forever. FOP VER They are virtually impossible to remove. The ONLY solution is PREVENTION. In November 2016, state officials announced the first MISSOURI documented presence of RIVER zebra and quagga mussels in Montana, after positive tests at sites in the Missouri River system. The future of Flathead Lake, the Crown Jewel of the Crown of the Continent, is up to us. You can help ensure the lake's future by preventing invasive mussels from reaching the lake. YOU Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Natural Resources Department www.csktnomussels.org email: kate squeque@cskt.org (406) 675-2700 ext. 7280 Pa PREVENTION IS THE ONLY SOLUTION . IT'S UP TO YOU ! KEEP FLATHEAD LAKE FREE OF INVASIVE MUSSELS our mission is to develop and implement programs and strategies designed to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species into waters of the Flathead Reservation , and to help contain , control and where possible , eradicate aquatic invasive species already present on the Reservation . CLEAN . DRAIN . DRY . Tiny , razor - sharp shells would coat and clog every hard surface of the lake - rocks , boats , docks & dams . Clean Clean off all plants , animals , and mud from your watercraft ( canoe , kayak , boat ) and equipment ( boots , waders , fishing gear ) . Use a high pressure washer or available power washing stations . If you use your own high pressure washer or a car wash , make sure the water goes into a contained - water holding area . Rinse with very hot water ( 140 ° F ) . Invasive Mussels Would Ravage the Lake Environment Zebra and quagga mussels devastate native species by stripping the food web of plankton , and that has a cascading effect throughout the ecosystem . Lack of food causes populations of native trout , whitefish and native mussel species to plummet . Invasive mussels typically cause harmful algal blooms and permanently alter water quality in a way that impacts aquatic life and even human health . Drain Drain onto land all water from bait buckets , live wells , pumps , motor , bilges , and remove drain plugs . Eliminate all water BEFORE LEAVING an area where you have had your boat and trailer . AIS PROGRAM Dry Dry all items completely before launching the watercraft into another body of water . Allow at least five days for you boat , trailer , and equipment to completely dry before launching into other waters . $ 1.5 Billion $ 95 Million / Yr Lake front property along Flathead Lake is currently valued at 6 to 8 billion dollars . Invasive mussels would cause a 13 to 19 % drop in property values within 3 years ( a $ 1.5 billion drop ) . Impacts to tourism , hydropower , and infrastructure ( irrigation systems , power facilities , and municipal water supply and treatment ) could cost more than $ 95 million a year . Once established , invasive mussels will be here forever . FOP VER They are virtually impossible to remove . The ONLY solution is PREVENTION . In November 2016 , state officials announced the first MISSOURI documented presence of RIVER zebra and quagga mussels in Montana , after positive tests at sites in the Missouri River system . The future of Flathead Lake , the Crown Jewel of the Crown of the Continent , is up to us . You can help ensure the lake's future by preventing invasive mussels from reaching the lake . YOU Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Natural Resources Department www.csktnomussels.org email : kate squeque@cskt.org ( 406 ) 675-2700 ext . 7280 Pa