Reclamation Information Sharing Environment (RISE)

The Reclamation Ecological Research Laboratory (Eco Lab), formerly the Reclamation Detection Laboratory for Exotic Species (RDLES), provides expertise in field sampling, analytical microscopic, and molecular methods for the detection and identification of threatened and invasive species. The Eco Lab provides data that is utilized for environmental compliance and to manage invasive, threatened, and endangered species that impact Reclamation. The laboratory is currently focused on invasive dreissenid mussels and has developed expertise in multiple disciplines of this topic. The Eco Lab provides services to Reclamation regional and area offices, state aquatic invasive species (AIS) programs, water districts, and other agencies with a variety of monitoring and research projects. Over the last three years, as of August 30, 2021, the Eco Lab has received 3,926 samples. Of these, 176 samples were positive, all from Salt River Project reservoirs in Arizona. In addition, the Eco Lab provides monitoring of sites where mussels are established to assess population dynamics (e.g., Canyon Lake, AZ).