SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN

New Zealand Mudsnails Potamopyrgus antipodarum

Tracking the spread of mudsnails:

The New Zealand mudsnail ( Potamopyrgus antipodarum [pictured above]) is a recent arrival to Oregon waters, is easily transported to new locations, but can be very difficult to spot in low densities. In order to efficiently track the distribution of these snails we rely on anglers, boaters and people to report sightings of this tiny snail. For information on how to identify mudsnails please visit the mudsnail information page at Montana State University [click here]. Remember that size is key!

[Click here to generate custom distribution maps (above map courtesy of D. Gustafson and Montana State University)]

Confirmed New Zealand mudnsnail locations in Oregon:

Oregon Coast:

Lower Rogue River, Gold Beach
Garrison Lake
Floras Lake and the New River
Lower Umpqua River, Reedsport and Scottsburg
Devil's Lake, Lincoln City
Coffenbury Lake, Fort Stevens State Park
Columbia River Estuary, Clatsop Spit to Cathlamet Bay

Central Oregon:

Lower Deschutes River:
Heritage Landing
Pine Tree
Oak Springs
Oasis Campground
Wapinita
Harpum Flat
Trout Creek
Mecca Flats

Eastern Oregon:

Snake River
Malheur River, near Ontario
Owyhee River

all images by R. Draheim

Call 1-866-INVADER or 1-866-468-2337 (tollfree in Oregon) to report a new mudsnail sighting

To report a new location of a New Zealand mudsnail:

• Collect a sample or take a picture (be sure to include an object for scale in your shot such as a coin, key or pencil). For New Zealand mudsnails we recommend that you collect 10-20 of the suspect snails and place them in a small jar filled with rubbing alcohol or place a few snails in a resealable sandwich bag with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. It is important to take precautions when collecting a species you think is invasive. You must be certain that whatever you collect is unable to escape and infest a new watershed due to carelessness, improper containment or disposal. Upon calling with the following information we may ask you to send us the organisms you've collected.

• Provide as much of the following information as possible. Here's what we'd like to know about your finding, the more details the better.
  1. State and County where collected.
     
  2. Water Body and Location: The name of the water body and the access point, something like "Deschutes River at Wapinita Campsite"
     
  3. Latitude and longitude: If you have access to a GPS unit, these can be decimal degrees, degrees and decimal minutes, or degrees, minutes and decimal seconds.
     
  4. Collection Date: The month, day and year. Time of day is also useful.
     
  5. Field Collector: The name of person or people who made the collection.
     
  6. Estimated Density: Select 1 of 3 crude levels (sparse, moderate or abundant).
     
  7. Comments: These might include notes on the species range up and down the river, whether or not collection was made at high or low tide, what you used to catch the species, exactly where you found the species, etc.