Lake Chelan residents urged to join fight against invasive species

CHELAN - Residents living along the shores of Lake Chelan are being called upon to help protect the lake from the threat of aquatic invasive species like quagga mussels. A new community-driven program aims to train locals to detect and report any signs of these harmful invaders.

"In speaking with local landowners, we've learned the community wants to take a more active role in helping keep the waters of Lake Chelan pristine," said Lisa Dowling, a natural resources specialist with Chelan County Natural Resources.

On March 27, a town hall event from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Chelan Fire Hall will introduce the Citizen Science Early Detection and Monitoring Program, a voluntary effort spearheaded by Chelan County Natural Resources and Keep it Blue: Lake Chelan. Participants will learn how to spot aquatic invasive species (AIS) that could devastate the ecosystem.

"The mussels would likely be transported in their juvenile stages when they are only about the size of a pistachio," Dowling warned. "Spotting them is going to take some training, not to mention a good eye."

The urgency arises from a risk assessment that concluded Lake Chelan faces a high threat from invasive mussels like quagga and zebra mussels. Their establishment could cause millions in mitigation costs and irreversible ecological damage.

"We know tourism is the primary economic driver for Lake Chelan and the region," Dowling said. "But these AIS detection efforts reach beyond tourism. The lake provides irrigation water to our local ag producers. Residents depend on it for domestic water use. Our efforts need to focus on not only visitors to Lake Chelan but also those who depend on it year-round.”

Over 1,000 landowners have received informational mailings about the March 27 meeting. A subsequent training on May 4 will teach volunteers the telltale signs to look for.

"Adding a community monitoring effort to our voluntary boat inspection program just makes sense. We have an active and willing community that has a deeply vested interest in the lake," Dowling stated, urging shoreline residents to join the charge to "keep Lake Chelan's waters blue."