They're on the move. Zebra and Quagga mussels arrived from Europe, while Golden mussels originated in Asia. Each species has already established themselves across regions of the continent.  Zebra mussels are established in the Great Lakes, the eastern half of the U.S., and have been noted as far west in Canada as Lake Winnipeg. Quagga mussels. Quagga mussels are found throughout the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence waterways. as well as the southwestern U.S. Golden mussels are now found in California. 
 

They spread easily and are almost impossible to eradicate. These small, freshwater mussels can easily attach themselves to boat hulls, trailers, motors, equipment, vegetation and other organisms. They multiply rapidly and are extremely difficult to eradicate once they become established in an area. In larger water bodies and complex ecosystems, they may be impossible to eradicate unless detected and contained before they become established. These mussels can survive for several weeks without being immersed in water if they are left in a cool and moist environment. That means mussels attached to boats or equipment can be transferred from one body of water to another. Mussel larvae are extremely small and can float undetected in live wells, pumps, bilges, bait buckets and other fishing gear, where they can survive for several weeks.
 

They cause widespread damage. Zebra, Quagga and Golden mussels pose a serious threat to BC’s aquatic ecosystems, salmon populations, hydro power stations and other infrastructure facilities. They can clog pipes (increasing maintenance costs for hydroelectric, industrial, agricultural and recreational facilities), cause ecological and economic damage, displace native aquatic plants and wildlife, degrade the environment and affect the quality of drinking water. The potential economic impact of these invasive mussels to hydropower, agricultural irrigation, municipal water supplies and recreational boating has been estimated to be $43 million per year if they establish themselves in our lakes. This estimate does not include additional impacts on commercial and recreational fisheries.