Todd969
08-02-2007, 08:59 AM
MWD
METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Date: July 27, 2007
Subject: Quagga Mussel Update
Inspections of Metropolitan's Colorado River Aqueduct during the current
10-day shutdown have confirmed the presence of quagga mussels throughout
the length of the 242-mile aqueduct system, including portions of the
13-mile San Jacinto Tunnel and at the inlet channel at Lake Mathews.
As Metropolitan prepares to refill the aqueduct starting midday
Saturday, July 28, the district will immediately institute
around-the-clock chlorine treatment at the Copper Basin effluent to help
address quaggas that may remain and to help control further
proliferation from a spring mussel spawning in Lake Mead. We also have
notified officials at member agencies that divert water directly from
the aqueduct-Eastern Municipal Water District, Western Municipal Water
District and the San Diego County Water Authority-of the most-recent
findings.
Along with thorough examinations of specified pumps and headgates at
each of the aqueduct's five pumping plants, staff inspected eight
predetermined points along the system downstream of the Hinds Pumping
Plant. As you may recall, in late June Metropolitan discovered mussels
attached to a Hinds pump, which previously was the furthest aqueduct
location in which quaggas had been found. Underwater inspections at the
eight aqueduct locations this week found mussels in small concentrations
at four sites, including the Lake Mathews inlet and San Jacinto Tunnel.
CDFA BORDER PROTECTION STATIONS
The border protection station (BPS) at Truckee has increased operating
hours to 24/7.
From January 29 to July 19, approximately 39,362 trailered boats have
been checked. About 3,758 boats contained water that needed to be
drained. Only 9 boats were found to have quagga mussels and required
decontamination.
We will keep you posted as the quagga situation develops. Staff will
continue to investigate additional quagga control measures, including
further chlorine application points along the aqueduct and at the
reservoirs. In September, Metropolitan staff will provide the Board of
Directors a summary of the first phase of Metropolitan's Quagga Mussel
Control Program and outline actions for the program's second phase.
Proposed actions in the next phase include conceptual design of
chlorination facilities and improved watercraft inspections at
Metropolitan's reservoirs.
Dominique Norton
Habitat Conservation Planning Branch
California Department of Fish and Game
1416 Ninth Street, 12th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 654-4267
Fax: (916) 653-4875
Email: dnorton@dfg.ca.gov
METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Date: July 27, 2007
Subject: Quagga Mussel Update
Inspections of Metropolitan's Colorado River Aqueduct during the current
10-day shutdown have confirmed the presence of quagga mussels throughout
the length of the 242-mile aqueduct system, including portions of the
13-mile San Jacinto Tunnel and at the inlet channel at Lake Mathews.
As Metropolitan prepares to refill the aqueduct starting midday
Saturday, July 28, the district will immediately institute
around-the-clock chlorine treatment at the Copper Basin effluent to help
address quaggas that may remain and to help control further
proliferation from a spring mussel spawning in Lake Mead. We also have
notified officials at member agencies that divert water directly from
the aqueduct-Eastern Municipal Water District, Western Municipal Water
District and the San Diego County Water Authority-of the most-recent
findings.
Along with thorough examinations of specified pumps and headgates at
each of the aqueduct's five pumping plants, staff inspected eight
predetermined points along the system downstream of the Hinds Pumping
Plant. As you may recall, in late June Metropolitan discovered mussels
attached to a Hinds pump, which previously was the furthest aqueduct
location in which quaggas had been found. Underwater inspections at the
eight aqueduct locations this week found mussels in small concentrations
at four sites, including the Lake Mathews inlet and San Jacinto Tunnel.
CDFA BORDER PROTECTION STATIONS
The border protection station (BPS) at Truckee has increased operating
hours to 24/7.
From January 29 to July 19, approximately 39,362 trailered boats have
been checked. About 3,758 boats contained water that needed to be
drained. Only 9 boats were found to have quagga mussels and required
decontamination.
We will keep you posted as the quagga situation develops. Staff will
continue to investigate additional quagga control measures, including
further chlorine application points along the aqueduct and at the
reservoirs. In September, Metropolitan staff will provide the Board of
Directors a summary of the first phase of Metropolitan's Quagga Mussel
Control Program and outline actions for the program's second phase.
Proposed actions in the next phase include conceptual design of
chlorination facilities and improved watercraft inspections at
Metropolitan's reservoirs.
Dominique Norton
Habitat Conservation Planning Branch
California Department of Fish and Game
1416 Ninth Street, 12th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 654-4267
Fax: (916) 653-4875
Email: dnorton@dfg.ca.gov