Reclamation Information Sharing Environment (RISE)

Invasive dreissenid mussels pose a threat to both Reclamation facilities and the environment. Predicting the future dispersal patterns of the dreissenid mussels is important because it can help predict waterbodies at greatest risk of colonization. The dreissenid mussel model described here uses a combination of constrained gravity model equations, habitat suitability equations, and a user defined variable for mussel transport survival. Calcium and pH data from 402 waterbodies in the Western US were incorporated into the model. The model indicates that implementing a buffer zone greatly decreases the probability of waterbodies becoming infested. This model can be used to determine which waterbodies are at highest risk for dreissenid mussel invasion, given the assumptions within the model. Agencies can use the results from the model to determine what steps need to be taken to either ensure that a particular waterbody does not become infested, such as increased boat inspections and monitoring of the waterbody.