Invasive snails found in Stanislaus River

Biologists have discovered an invasive snail species that can clog the food chain on the Stanislaus River at Knights Ferry.

As a result, state and federal wildlife officials are asking fishermen and boaters to inspect their equipment before entering the river and to freeze their gear for at least 24 hours before taking it into different waters.

The steps are meant to curb the proliferation of New Zealand mud snails, a tiny species that has no predators in the United States.
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Modesto Bee - (BART AH YOU/[email protected]) Overview of the Stanislaus River facing east from the Sonora Road bridge in Knights Ferry. November 27, 2009

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Without another species to check its growth, the mud snails can disrupt the natural food chain and starve out the insects fish consume.

The snails normally are found in fresh water in New Zealand. They were discovered in Idaho's Snake River Valley in the 1980s and first identified in California's Owens River in 2000.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game found the snails at Knights Ferry on Nov. 24.

"We're concerned by the discovery of a potentially disruptive invasive species in the park," said Stanislaus River Park Manager Duane Johnson. "But we're going to work closely with our partner agencies and our visitors to help prevent their spread. Early detection is critical to containing an infestation."

The park says it has placed posters at Knights Ferry describing the snails and steps visitors can take to prevent them from spreading.

On the Net: dfg.ca.gov/invasives/mudsnail.

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