LAKE COUNTY – The county is waiting on test results which will tell it whether or not two damaging mussels have invaded Clear Lake's waters.

In the meantime, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday accepted a resolution declaring the need for emergency action to protect Clear Lake from invasive quagga and zebra mussels.

As Lake County News previously reported, the resolution directs county staff to work with all affected counties and agencies to come up with the best plan to prevent the mussel infesting Clear Lake; directs county staff to pursue regulatory and administrative changes to assist the county in creating better management practices to prevent the mussel infestation; and commits the board to adopting an invasive species management plan for long-term protection against the mussels.

Pam Francis, deputy director of the county's Water Resources Division, told the board that water samples from the lake had been taken at the Edgewater Resort and Konocti Harbor in Kelseyville, Konocti Vista in Lakeport, and at docks at various county parks in order to test for the mussels.

The laboratory where the samples were being sent said there was so much DNA in the samples that they would submit them for microscopic analysis in order to make an accurate assessment of whether or not the mussels were present in the lake, said Francis.

That means that the results will take longer, Francis said, with results expected in the second week of July.

A call to Francis on Wednesday to elaborate on the tests was not returned.

Francis said county officials have talked with Rob Stimmel of BoardStock about concerns that boats taking part in the competition could bring the mussels with them. BoardStock, she reported, plans to use 10 new brand new boats that have never been in the water for the competition.

Still, Francis said the concern is that people coming from other areas will bring the mussels with them.

The county is looking for ways to welcome visitors while discouraging the mussels. As such, Francis said the county also is talking to a firm that provides decontamination through a steam-cleaning method. Francis did not identify the company that offers the services.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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