Important Reminder: Putah Creek is infested with New Zealand Mud Snails

SK60 · Senior Member

Important Reminder: Putah Creek is infested with New Zealand Mud Snails

dave408 · Member

Hi SK60 - The report doesn't seem to mention putting your gear in the freezer overnight, which is what I have been doing after a day on the creek. Is the freezing method a viable way to get rid of the snails? Dave

shon42073 · Senior Member

Has there actually been any hard scientific facts proven that the new zealand mudsnail actually poses a threat to the survival of trout ?I'm defenitly all for stopping the spread but I personaly haven't seen any facts up until this point.

SK60 · Senior Member

Dave408-freezing is probably the best method since its the easiest on breathable waders and boots.

viking · Veteran Member

�What I've read about the snails is that they compete for the same food sources as do the existing mayflies, caddis, stone, midges.........As they reproduce and spread, they have the potential to�eventually choke out all of these bugs. The potential threat is serious enough that some major gear manufacturers like Simms and Patagonia have actually designed some of their new wading boots to be harder for the snails to cling to and get stuck to and more easily cleaned, in an effort to help us stop stansporting the damn things. Time will tell just how big a problem they become on Putah. I've heard that some anglers have waders and boots that they use on infested water like Putah and alternate gear that they use on uninfested waters. That sounds like a great solution given the room in one's budget for that. There are also other options like water/bleach solutions and cleaners . Hopefully it won't come to us having to learn to tie, and show at the stream with snail patterns.......... Tight lines, Viking

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

The damage these snails can potentially do has already been proven on other waters but as stated earlier time will tell here on Putah.When I worked with Ken Davis on Putahs infestation it was I believe too early to tell if there has been any impact on the native aquatic insect population.And yes this is a big enough issue that there is serious talk about not allowing felt soled wading shoes in waterways in certain states including Calif,thats why Patagonia and Simms are now phasing out their felt soled boots and wading shoes. The mud snail is not the only threat to waterways another real threat is I believe an algea type growth that is called Diddy-mo that is short for a name that is much longer.I dont know much about it other that what it looks like. I will call Ken who is a true wealth of knowledge for this kinda stuff and I'll see if he can give us an up to date report on the NZMS and maybe some info on diddy-mo. Bono

windknots · Senior Member

Hey Shaun, I think you're making the obvious point that there are a number of fat healthy�trout to be found in Putah that don't seem to be suffering the effects of the NZMS.� Your observation is echo'd at:

http://www.aquaticnuisance.org/nzmudsnail.php�

where they state "Scientists have only begun documenting (and publishing) impacts in the past 5-6 years; with no studies directly linking mudsnails to significant disruption of the aquatic ecosystem and adverse impacts to fish. This may explain why funding for mudsnail management activities is minimal when compared to other invasive species issues such as zebra mussel prevention and ballast water management and research. The timeline of NZMS arrival in North America mirrors that of the zebra mussel 1980?s. Despite arriving about the same time, there have been scores of studies documenting zebra mussel impacts."

Lack of hard data shouldn't provide much comfort though, this is a species that has demonstrated an ability to infest a body of water and displace native species of insects.� Maybe this is a contributing factor why there's no significant mayfly or caddis hatch on Putah.� Consider if some other invasive species like a bacteria attacked the midge population in Putah.� This could devastate the primary food source in the creek and then you would see an impact.�

It's just hard to predict, the balance in the ecosystem has been disrupted by the introduction of a species that carpets the bottom and outcompetes native species for food, provides no nutritional value to the fish, and has no natural predators.� You've got to admit, we really know how to mess with a watershed.... massive dams, managed flows, hatchery trucks, aggressive wading, agricultural run-off, vectors for invasive species (fisherman, boats, construction equipment, etc) ... the list goes on

shon42073 · Senior Member

Windknots, thats the same exact article I recently read, Thats why I asked the question.�Of course I beleive we should all do what we can to not spread these snails.

Frenchie · Veteran Member

The reason the zebra mussels get more attention than mud snails probably has less to do with their environmental impact and more to do with their financial impact. They plug power plants and dams, and decrease the revenue generating native mussel populations.

Unfortunately what hits peoples wallets the hardest seems to get more focus.�

On a side note I was fishing the�Klamath this year and noticed some mud snails present in an area where the gold dredgers are highly active.�

I think this may be another avenue where the snails are getting introduced to some water sheds. If a gold dredger or panner moves from one river to another they will most likely transport them like we would with wading equipment.

The snails on the Klamath looked a bit larger than the ones at Putah and were not completely blanketing the bottom yet.

Does anyone know if their size gets�smaller when the population is more dense?

�

creekman · Newbie

Talked with Greg last weekend about the invasive species issue in the Putah watershed. There are several species we are concerned about. Mudsnails: We are seeing a�possible correlation between mudsnails (NZMS) and one mayfly and Hydropsyche (caddisfly) which has been very common in the Interdam Reach. They have�almost become difficult to find. We have data from the last 3-4 years depending upon the site. We are watching that situation closely.

About Didymo: Didyno is a short name for a diatom (algae) that has decimated waters in New Zealand and a couple of US states. It coats the creekbed and looks just like mats of wet toilet paper. I do get an occassional report about a Didymo look alike. I always check those reports with a microscope. As of today we have not had a confirmed positive survey for Didymo in Putah Creek. We know it is in several California waters, but it has not caused a problem yet.

Dreissena Mussels: I survey Berryessa and Putah Creek every week for the presence of mussels. A mussel infestation will really cause havoc in Berryessa, the creek below Monticelo, and in the Putah South Canal system. Quagga mussels in Lake Mead quickly made it into the Metropolitan Water System in LA�and San Diego. They spent 10 Million in 2008 just trying to figure out how to control the�mussels.�

Ken Davis�

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

Thanks for the info Ken, your input is always welcome here. Carry on with the good work and fight the good fight! Bono

fear no fish · Veteran Member

Here is some info I found on the matter. I think we really should take it seriously.

**ALERT!!!! -- NEW ZEALAND MUD SNAILS have been confirmed in California rivers. The snails are very tiny and highly reproductive. The problem is created by their high numbers - billions of them - soon they cover every stone, log or other object in the water. In the process they will consume all the algae that other, more desirable trout stream invertebrates need to survive, including Mayflies, Stone flies and Caddis flies which are vital parts of the food chain. A collapse of the food chain may result in a collapse of the fishery, plus the birds and otters that depend on the fish for food.
Be sure to wash/bleach your wading boots and gear before heading out to another river. Actually, a study was completed and here's what they found. Mix equal parts Formula 409 Disinfectant and water then soak gear for 5 minutes. If this method is not possible, spray gear with the same mixture from a squirt bottle and keep wet for 5 minutes. This has shown to kill 100% of the mudnsnails with minimal damage to gear. Pay particular attention to the inside of boots, under laces and inside tongue gussets! Let's help to stop the infestation whenever and wherever we can!! Educate yourself and take responsibility, assume there are snails everywhere. The future of our waters are in OUR hands! Let's do something about it!

Find our more information by visiting the California Department Of Fish & Game's website.

-Fear No Fish-

JT · Senior Member

If you choose to use Formula 409 make sure you get the heavy duty stuff.� I believe it is called "Commercial Solutions."

SK60 · Senior Member

Fear no Fish-I believe that article is not the latest info. When He gets back from Mexico, I'll see if Ken Davis will comment on the latest studies of treatment methods. I recall he said 409 causes them to close their operculum which seals them off from the effects of the�detergent. The recommended 409 degreaser formula is also hard on the rubberized� toe bumpers and soles of wading shoes and may affect some types of breathable waders. Ken said freezing overnight is best-kills the snails and doesn't affect the wader membranes.

thewetnet · Newbie

Hey Frenchie,

I don't post much, cause I live in Oregon now. But, with regards to the Klamath, I am not denying the NZMS may be there. But, if you said they are larger, they could be the native Juga snail. I will try and find a particular journal article, that�outlines the characteristics of NZMS compared to other snails, it gives the approx. size (NZMS are typically very small, that is why they are so hard to detect on muddy boots and waders)�and you count the number of whirls on the shell compared to other species.

take care, thewetnet

windknots · Senior Member

As for the freezing of waders, how are you guys doing that? My wife would kill me if she found my waders stuffed in next to the popsicles and sliced green beens. I doubetI could fit my boots and waders in there anyway, plus any other equipment that could be contaminated.

Do that many people have those giant freezers? I'd imagine anyone who deer hunts would likely have something like that. Doesn't seem practical to rely on this as a primary way to detox the waders.

SK60 · Senior Member

Agreed, most of us probably don't have a chest freezer. Heating to 135 deg in the oven for several minutes is also probably not too feasible, although it apparently works. Sticking the meat thermometer thru the waders to monitor the temp might be counter productive. Lets hope Ken has a good alternative method.

vince · Senior Member

Just a note - be careful freezing your waders. Dry them out first. I know from tending to mountaineering gear that ice crystals are sharp, and can easily weaken nylon as water gets between threads and then expands when frozen.

101fish · Senior Member

I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, that 409 cleaner is not nearly as effective unless it is really concentrated (>10%). Freezing your waders, or allowing them to dry completely (including the felt on your boots) is the only methods I really know. Given the brush around Putah, I usually roll in a cheaper pair of "putah-only" waders. As for the mud snail impact, I believe there are some studies out of Montana that conclude a massive (90% +) loss in benthic invert biodiversity. On top of that, I think there is evidence that they can severely reduce water nutrient concentrations.
Last part is for Ken Davis; I think there is a control for Dressinid muscles available now. Some power co back in the east coast cooked it up from a bacterial toxin. Not too sure on the impacts within/outside Dressinidea though.

pjfisher · Member

Diddy mo is short for Didymosphenia geminata, which is a single-cell diatom.� You can find more information about it on Wikipedia at:� http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didymosphenia_geminata.� I agree with you that the NZ snail is only one of several invasive species problems we should be aware of and take precautions against spreading (as fishermen).� Making sure Arundo donax, or giant reed, doesn't get a foothold in Putah Creek is also a priority, from my point of view.� Just look at Cache Creek if you want to know what happens when giant reed runs amok.� Thanks to all of you who have helped spread the word on invasive species control.

SK60 · Senior Member

FYI Arundo is already established on PC, especially along the lower creek below L Solano. Its a major pest and a target for control by groups like Putah Creek Council. We also have a Didymo look alike thats common at Access 5 at the "split", but it doesn't grow and carpet�the creekbed�like the real thing.

fear no fish · Veteran Member

What should people do who donat have room in their freezer for their wading gear??????