Idaho
An inside look at Idaho’s $3M fight against invasive quagga mussels
Jeremey Varley, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture’s southern chief treatment engineer, explains the state’s strategy for eradicating invasive quagga mussels during a boat tour of the infested portion of the Snake River on Oct. 3, 2025.
Clark Corbin / Idaho Capital Sun
Now in its third year, the effort to rid Idaho’s Snake River of invasive quagga mussels is a near 24/7 operation taking place both on the water and in a nearby laboratory.
Since Sept. 30, a team of about 25 Idaho State Department of Agriculture staff members and another 15-20 contractors have been applying a copper-based chemical called Natrix to every nook and cranny of a 3.5-mile section of the Snake River, as well as injecting the chemical into some of the underwater pools of the Snake River.
Not only is the Snake River the longest river in Idaho and a source of irrigation and drinking water, but it is also a major tributary of the Columbia River, which empties into the Pacific Ocean.
State officials’ goals are to stop the mussels from spreading beyond the infested area into other parts of the river system and to completely eradicate all of the mussels that have been detected here so far.
“We’re throwing everything at it as if this is the last time we would ever have to, want to or be able to do a treatment,” Idaho State Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Lloyd Knight said.
Quagga mussels were first discovered in Idaho in 2023
Quagga mussels are a nonnative, invasive species that was first detected in water samples taken from the Snake River near Twin Falls in September 2023.
Officials again identified quagga mussels in some of the same parts of the river in 2024 and again this September, although officials said the area of the Snake River infested with mussels has decreased from 7.2 miles of river in 2024 down to 3.5 miles of river this year.
Sgt. Pam Taylor of the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife displays invasive quagga mussels during a demonstration of a boat inspection for reporters, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at a boat launch in Olympia, Wash.
Ted S. Warren / AP
Idaho State Department of Agriculture officials said one breeding pair of adult quagga mussels can produce more than 1 million offspring in one year — reproducing so fast they threaten irrigation, drinking water, agriculture and recreation. Infestations of quagga mussels can clog pipes used for irrigation or drinking water and damage dams or boats, officials said.
Additionally, quagga mussels are filter feeders, and they can disrupt the food web by taking up a huge chunk of the food and nutrients that native species are competing for, officials said.
“That’s why it’s important we throw everything we can at trying to eradicate these things,” Knight said.
Knight estimated this year’s treatment plan could cost $2.5 million to $3 million.
But Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Chanel Tewalt said the department is not asking for any additional state general fund money to fight the mussels at this time. Between $6.6 million that state legislators approved to fight quagga mussels in 2024 to funding taken from the sale of invasive species stickers, Tewalt said the department is not seeking additional general fund money.
What does Idaho’s plan to kill the quagga mussels look like?
The infestation of quagga mussels appears to be limited to the stretch of the Snake River right around Shoshone Falls, a large scenic waterfall that is higher than Niagara Falls.
In early October, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture invited the Idaho Capital Sun and other reporters from around Idaho to observe the treatment program and tour the infested portion of the Snake River by boat.
In an effort to completely kill all of the quagga mussels, contractors are applying a copper-based chemical called Natrix in concentrations of one part per million to the Snake River.
The copper is designed to flow over the quagga mussels’ gills, suffocating and killing the mussels, Knight said.
The copper chemical also suffocates and kills fish and other aquatic life with gills, officials said, though some species of fish and aquatic life appear resistant to the copper.
Officials said they have seen fish killed this year by the copper treatment, but not as many as were killed during the first year of treatment in 2023, when tons of fish died and floated to the surface of the Snake River.
“There is some additional take that occurs on other organisms (besides the mussels that are targeted), but the nice thing about this river run environment is there’s a good, healthy populations (of aquatic life) upriver from where our treatment area is and we expect rehabilitation to occur (after treatment ends),” said Jeremey Varley, southern chief treatment engineer for the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
This year, crews are using some tools and equipment that has been commonly used in irrigation systems in an attempt to apply the copper chemical to hard-to-reach parts of the Snake River.
Gravity boxes attached to canyon walls above shore help mix river water with the copper chemical near the surface of the water.
And new this year, Varley, who is a certified scuba diver, rigged a new system that uses buoys, a diaphragm pump and a manifold to pump the copper chemical into pools of water 20 feet below the surface of the river to target mussels below the water.
To connect and rig the system, Varley donned a full wet suit and dove down under water, where the visibility was less than 5 feet and water temperatures were a chilly 62 degrees.
“That’s something that Jeremey came up with,” Knight said. “It’s something that is very unique to here. Nobody else has tried it anywhere else.”
Knight said the Natrix treatment being applied to the Snake River is the largest treatment of its kind in the United States and has never been attempted at such a large scale anywhere else in the U.S.
Latest water samples show copper chemical is killing quagga mussels
Meanwhile, as contractors are applying the copper chemical, crews are also collecting water samples in the same stretch of the Snake River. The samples are stored on ice and analyzed in a Idaho State Department of Agriculture lab located at College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls.
On Friday, Michelle Jakaitis, the principle microbiologist for the bacteriology and parasitology lab at the state’s animal health lab, said she had not seen any live quagga mussels in water samples since the treatment program began Tuesday.
“Since treatment has occurred, we have seen much fewer (quagga mussel) veligers, and all of them have been dead, which is exactly what we expect, and we’re very glad,” Jakaitis said Friday.
Scientists and technicians use microscopes to study water samples taken from the Snake River to detect invasive quagga mussels in this undated photo.
Clark Corbin / Idaho Capital Sun
During the treatment program Jakaitis and the team at the lab are using microscopes to analyze water samples from 10 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. each day.
“It is quite a time commitment, but it is very important, and it has been very useful and informing (us) that the treatment is doing exactly what we’re expecting it to do,” Jakaitis said.
It may be too early to tell if the treatment was totally effective.
Following previous years’ rounds of treatment, crews did not detect the quagga mussels in samples taken earlier this year and during the early summer months of 2024.
But officials did detect the mussels again in early September in 2024 and 2025.
Knight said the department’s crews will continue sampling and testing the water for five more years to continue to monitor for the invasive mussels.
Although all Idaho state departments and agencies other than public schools are having to implement budget holdbacks of 3% to cover for state revenue shortfalls, Knight said the Idaho State Department of Agriculture officials decided to prioritize the quagga mussels response and are cutting other areas instead.
“No, this is obviously a priority that we are throwing everybody and everything at,” Knight said.
Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
This republished story is part of OPB’s broader effort to ensure that everyone in our region has access to quality journalism that informs, entertains and enriches their lives. To learn more, visit opb.org/partnerships.
Idaho
Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon
There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.
Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.
Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.
Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.
Idaho Costcos
Where to find Costcos in Idaho.
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!
Look at those chicken tenders:
Costco Foodcourt’s New Item
It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts
Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?
Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM
Idaho
This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist
You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people. The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams. Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.” One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school. His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus. Some of our early leaders were devout Christians. Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service. They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.
They Mock Good People of Other Faiths
I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention. Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke. She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!” Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people? Or would God prefer a gentler approach? For instance, you could pray for conversions.
Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?
Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument. “We’re all going to be judged,” she said. What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?
The Pot Calling the Kettle Black
A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates. A group of liberal women demonstrated outside. I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational. They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event. If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered. Let me add a caveat. Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple. I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people. Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.
Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists. Do we need to draw them some pictures?
Brad Little Through The Years
Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller
Idaho
Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho
KUNA — A sister-duo is filling baskets with blankets, snacks and handwritten notes to spread some extra love to moms spending Mother’s Day in the hospital with their newborns.
The effort is led by “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” a nonprofit co-founded by sisters Tiffany and Alyssa Higbee. The organization was born from Alyssa’s own experience spending months in the NICU with her firstborn.
Alyssa’s son was initially in the NICU for about two weeks, then was put back in for about 3.5 months. During that time, several holidays passed, making it especially hard as a first-time mom.
“There was people in companies who would bring us stuff and try and cheer up your day, and it really helped, and so when my son was about 6 months old, we decided that it would be best to try and help moms in the NICU somehow,” Alyssa Higbee said.
That inspiration led the sisters to create Mother’s Day gift baskets filled with items to bring comfort and encouragement to moms facing the same journey.
WATCH: Learn more about “Helping Hands for NICU Moms”
Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho
The sisters have a 12-year age gap. Tiffany was fresh out of high school when they started the nonprofit in 2023, which meant she had more time to dedicate to the project. Alyssa noted that because of the age gap, they didn’t get to spend a lot of time together growing up, so the project has brought them closer.
“Hopefully, this can bring some hope that you can get out of it … that NICU period, that scary initial phase, it does get easier,” Alyssa Higbee said.
ALSO READ | Fragile beginnings to bright futures: NICU ‘Wall of Hope’ inspires families with stories of strength
Alyssa’s son, who was born in the NICU at St. Luke’s in Twin Falls, is now 3-years-old and healthy. Tiffany said watching her nephew go through the NICU was hard, but seeing him now — jumping, tackling her, and doing everything a little boy does — makes the work even more meaningful.
“It’s cool to see the difference because I know that some kids don’t make it to where he is when they’re in the NICU, and it’s just cool to see that he did,” Tiffany Higbee said.
This year’s baskets are packed with items donated by nearly 25 local companies — up from just 5 donors in the first year. The baskets include soaps from Wild Highland Soaps, claw clips, bibs, hair bows, chapsticks, socks, lotions, hand sanitizers, coloring books, colored pencils, snacks, minky blankets, and stuffed puppies from Scheels.
Gift cards and coupons are also included from Dutch Bros, Flying M Coffee, a pizza company, Wendy’s (free meal coupons for breakfast and lunch), Albertsons, and a $10 coupon to a baby store.
Tiffany started collecting donations for this year’s baskets as early as November of last year, spending a few hours every week for the past 6 to 8 months to prepare — reaching out to companies, picking up donations, and organizing everything.
The assembly process includes last-minute tasks like ironing vinyl onto bags, opening boxes, and putting together gift card envelopes before the full baskets are assembled and delivered.
“We start putting the bags together, making sure we have everything in there, and then we deliver them on Mother’s Day,” Alyssa Higbee said.
The baskets are delivered before noon on Mother’s Day to avoid missing moms who may be discharged after doctors do their rounds. Currently, the organization delivers to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in downtown Boise.
Tiffany said delivering the baskets is one of the most rewarding parts of the work.
“I love seeing the moms sometimes we get to watch them come out with their baskets, and they’ll be going through it, and they look really excited and happy,” Tiffany Higbee said.
“Seeing how happy they are or knowing how I cheered them up a little bit for their Mother’s Day because it’s a big holiday, it’s their first with that baby at least,” Tiffany Higbee said.
The first year, the project was funded mostly out of their own pockets. Three years later, as an official nonprofit, they said they no longer have to rely heavily on their own funds thanks to their new partnerships.
The organization accepts both monetary donations via Venmo and their website, as well as in-kind donations of physical items like soaps, claw clips, and other basket items — year-round.
The organization’s future goal is to expand to all the different NICUs in the area, and potentially the PICUs (Pediatric Intensive Care Units) as well, since that was also part of Alyssa’s experience.
To learn how you can donate or get involved with “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” you can visit their website by clicking here.
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