The clam invasion

A year-long pilot program to figure out the best way to deal with invasive clams is beginning in Lake Tahoe, reports the Tahoe Daily Tribune. The clams have been blamed for everything from clogged drinking water intake pipes to littered beaches, and it may be connected to an algae bloom that occurred in Marla Bay this summer. Another big concern is that increased calcium levels created by the clams could open the door for other invasive species at the lake, such as quagga and zebra mussels.

The program will involve suction dredging and placing plastic sheets on the bottom of Lake Tahoe to deprive the clams of nutrients. Then researchers will determine which method is best to prevent the spread of the clams. The program will cost about $500,000 and is paid primarily through federal funds.