By John Singlaub
Column Let’s Keep Lake Tahoe A Quagga Mussel-Free Zone
It should come as no surprise to people that a number of aquatic invasive species already exist in Lake Tahoe. Invasive plants such as the Eurasian watermilfoil and the curlyleaf pondweed have established themselves in some areas of the lake. Plants like these negatively affect the Lake in many ways, including providing habitat for other invaders such as warm water fish like blue gill and largemouth bass. These fish are voracious eaters that prey on native minnows and compete with native species for food. Milfoil in particular has taken hold in the Tahoe Keys, where ongoing efforts to control it cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.