Know This When Getting Back Into ID Snake River After Chemical Use

Millions of Idaho dollars have been spent over the past couple of years in an effort to keep invasive mussels and mollusks under control along the Snake River.

A copper-based, toxic chemical was released into the river in October of 2023 and 2024 to help with keeping these aquatic organisms at bay in southern Idaho. There are still a lot of questions Idahoans have regarding the safety of swimming in the river.

I've been involved in several discussions recently about the use of the copper-based pesticide Natrix, which was again released into the Snake River more than 20 months ago to control underwater mussels, and some people are still very fearful about coming into contact with the river.

'I wouldn't swim in it, said one local I spoke to'.

It costs roughly $3 million to treat the river with this chemical, according to information shared by the Idaho Capital Sun.

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The majority of people I've spoke with haven't bothered to research the pesticide to see just how much of a threat it still poses. The 'shelf life' of Natrix in the waters of the Snake River seems to be the number one concern among locals.

READ MORE: Idaho's Snake River Closing Again This Week To Kill Quagga Mussel

What we know about Natrix is that it identified as a category four, acute toxicity chemical made up of roughly 30 percent Copper Ethanolamine Complex, according to Sepro data. This means it can cause irritation to eyes and skin, and can be harmful if swallowed.

So, should you be filling your drink bottles up with Snake River water? No, is of course the answer to that.

The scientific research behind Natrix does recommend that we rinse off ourselves and our kayaks and other toys we use while out on the water, but there is no real threat from enjoying the Snake River in any way we choose to as long as we're not swallowing massive amounts of it.