Aquatic Invasive Species

Tiny New Zealand Mudsnails attached to a rock, shown next to a much larger one cent penny coin for scale.

WAV stream monitors are asked to look for and report suspected finds of aquatic invasive species (AIS) and to take necessary precautions not to spread aquatic invasive species to new waters. Wisconsin’s streams and rivers are vulnerable to invasion by a number of aquatic invasive species (AIS), from plants like Eurasian Watermilfoil to animals like Faucet Snails. If left unchecked, AIS have the potential to reduce the diversity of native organisms, disrupt the food web, and impact recreational activities.

The key to successfully protecting our waters is detecting invasive organisms early, when it may still be possible to isolate or eradicate them. AIS populations that are detected early require less money and effort to manage. Volunteers like you are invaluable for early detection and rapid response, particularly since you are regularly visiting your stream during the year. 

As a baseline stream monitor, we ask you to be on the lookout for four key aquatic invasive species while conducting your stream monitoring: Freshwater Golden Clams (aka Asian Clams), New Zealand Mudsnails (shown in the photo), Rusty Crayfish, and Faucet Snails. If you suspect you’ve found one of these four aquatic invasive species, follow the steps in this factsheet to identify, document and report your find to a local AIS coordinator in your area!

lined paper "Aquatic Invasive Species" Factsheet

Protect your stream: Clean, Drain, Dry

After monitoring a stream site, you should clean, drain, dry and disinfect monitoring equipment and footwear before leaving and entering another body of water to prevent the spread of organisms. 

 

Before leaving the stream site:

 

  • INSPECT your equipment.
  • REMOVE sediment, plants and animals by scrubbing equipment and your boots/waders with a stiff brush.
  • RINSE your equipment with tap water.
  • DRAIN all water from your equipment.

 

Before entering another stream, it is recommended that you switch to a completely new set of gear or take one of the following disinfection steps:

 

  • Far away from the stream, SOAK waders and other equipment in bleach solution for 20 minutes in a rubber tote, then rinse.  Wear gloves when handling bleach; or
  • STEAM CLEAN your equipment; or
  • SOAK your equipment in 140°F water for several minutes; or
  • FREEZE your equipment for 8 hours.

Note:

New Zealand Mudsnails do not react to bleach solution. Gear must be steamed, frozen, soaked, or treated with Virkon solution.

 

Supplies needed for cleaning/disinfecting may include:

 

  • Stiff bristle brush
  • Spray bottle with tap water
  • Rubber tote (18–50 gallons)
  • Bleach solution (1 tbsp bleach per 1 gallon water)
  • Rubber gloves