"It's one of many pathways," Dalton said about the water truck theory, which is justification enough for the DWR to consider a new layer of oversight to prevent the spread of mussels.

The DWR's game plan throughout Utah has been to approach boaters getting ready to drop in, asking what other water bodies the boats have been in and decontaminating some boats before their owners are allowed to recreate on a lake.

At Electric Lake, Dalton said the emphasis is now on draining boats there, washing them off and allowing them to dry at home before boating elsewhere. The recommended drying times are seven days in summer, 18 days in spring or fall and 30 days in winter, or until there is a freeze.

Dalton said workers are also looking on logs and rocks at Electric Lake for adult zebra mussels, but none have been found so far. The fact that lab results now show that breeding of mussels has been taking place at Electric Lake means adults may show up within the next three or four years, Dalton said.

E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com