Chinese mystery snails have invaded and overtaken a Quebec lake. CTV News
Residents of Rawdon, Quebec, just north of Montreal, have noticed an increasing number of invasive snails in the local bodies of water. These snails, known as Chinese mystery snails (Cipangopaludina chinensis), are rapidly reproducing in the freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes of the area.
Michael McArdle, a Rawdon resident, describes the snails' abundance in Brennan Lake, noting that each snail can produce over 150 live young. "I can see the snails here because the bottom is sandy," McArdle said. "Each snail apparently can have over 150 live young. We're talking about ready to go. A little baby in the water." McArdle, along with Karina Rosenberg, has a permit to collect these snails.
"Basically sifting through the muck at the bottom to collect them, and you don't get a medal for this kind of work, that's for sure," said Rosenberg. Despite their efforts, the snails are causing significant ecological imbalances. Residents have to be cautious not to step on them. Turtles, raccoons, and otters have increased in number as they feed on the snails, and in spring, empty shells litter the beaches.
The municipality is aware of the issue and has tasked a local organization with cleanup efforts. Rawdon Mayor Raymond Rougeau acknowledges the difficulty of eradicating the snails but believes controlling the population is possible. "We're going to be living with those snails," Rougeau said. "It's almost impossible to eradicate them, but the thing is, we can control the population."
Thousands of Chinese mystery snails have infested Quebec lakes. (CTV News)
Chinese mystery snails are not confined to a single lake; they are found across several regions in Quebec. Rougeau mentioned that in one part of the lake, over 2,000 snails were collected in just a few days. Tina Schmeller, who owns a cottage along the water, remarked that 2024 has been particularly bad. "You can't walk a few feet without seeing them," she said. "The shells are quite thick. They could cut you for sure."
Despite continuous efforts to collect them, the snails keep reappearing. Rosenberg highlighted the challenges posed by invasive species. "You can't go in the water anywhere here without picking up hundreds of them," she said. "This is what an invasive species does. It displaces the native ones. It disturbs the whole balance, the whole delicate ecosystem, especially of a small lake like this one."
While the mayor has promised more cleanup operations, the community recognizes the uphill battle they face. Residents hope that with enough organization and effort, they can manage to control the problem.
