Invasive Species List/Aquatic Animals

This page contains information on aquatic animal species on the Invasive Species List. For more general information about the event, see Invasive Species.

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)
Identification Tips:
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Chordata; Class-Actinopterygii; Order-Clupeiformes; Family-Clupeidae; Subfamily-Alosinae; Genus-Alosa; Species-A. pseudoharengus
 * Dark dorsal side; bluish-greenish; light sides with horizontal darker stripes
 * Black spot located behind eye


 * Anatomy:


 * Body:


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 * Misc/General:
 * 25-38 cm long


 * Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:


 * How introduced: Where/when:


 * How spread:

Life Cycle: Live to about 6-7 years, and reproduces at around two years. In less than a week, the young alewives hatch and begin feeding primarily on zooplankton. In the fall, the young alewives make their way back to the sea or into the deep waters of freshwater lakes or rivers.


 * Egg: Spawn once a year from late April to early June. When anadromous, the fish can reach 12-15in. big, and females lay from 60,000-100,000 eggs. When landlocked the fish tend to grow only to about 6 inches, and the females will lay 10,000- 12,000 eggs.


 * Reproduction: Anadromous (migrating up rivers from the sea to spawn) species, although there are some landlocked populations around the Great Lakes.


 * General Reproduction:


 * What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:


 * Diet: When landlocked they will feed on the eggs and young of other fish, as well as their own. They also feed on the larger species of zooplankton. Adult alewives feed on zooplankton, aquatic insects, and small fish.


 * Behavior:


 * Niche:


 * Trophic Level:

Native habitat:


 * Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):


 * Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:


 * Laws and effectiveness:


 * Control measures and effectiveness: Increasing the predator base has been the most effective. Trout and salmon stockings have been successful in reducing the alewife population. These efforts have also created a multimillion dollar salmonid fishery.


 * Damage (why it’s a problem):

Asian Carps
Asian carp is a term used to refer to introduced carp species native to Asia, the most significant of which include silver carp, bighead carp, grass carp, and black carp.
 * Preventative measures: Virtually impossible to eradicate once infested. Electrical barriers, netting, electrofishing are some methods of control. As of 2013, the U.S. government has designated almost $80 million dollars towards Asian Carps.

Silver Carp (Hypophthalmicthys molitrix)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Chordata; Class-Actinopterygii; Order-Cypriniformes; Family-Cyprinidae; Genus-Hypophthalmichthys; Species-H. molitrix
 * Identification Tips: Low set eyes, downward slanting mouth. Keel extends all the way to throat, and has a smaller head than the Bighead Carp.
 * Diet: Can eat 5-20% of their body weight a day. Silver carp are filter feeders, consuming algae, phytoplankton, and other microscopic organisms.
 * Introduction:Introduced in 1973.

Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Chordata; Class-Actinopterygii; Order-Cypriniformes; Family-Cyprinidae; Genus-Hypophthalmichthys; Species-H. nobilis
 * Identification Tips: Low set eyes, downward slanting mouth. Keel extends partway across body, and has dark splotches along back (dorsal) region.
 * Diet: Filter feeder, can also eat 5-20% of their body weight a day. They lack a true stomach so they eat voraciously.
 * Introduction: Introduced in 1972 for algae control in fisheries, first spotted in the wild in 1980s

Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Chordata; Class-Actinopterygii; Order-Cypriniformes; Family-Cyprinidae; Subfamily-Leuciscinae; Genus-Ctenopharyngodon; Species-C. idella
 * Introduction: First asian carp to be introduced to the US in 1963 by the USFWS. Used in controlling aquatic weeds and phytoplankton in aquaculture. First accidental release occurred in a lab, in Stuttgart, Arkansas.

Black Carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Chordata; Class-Actinopterygii; Order-Cypriniformes; Family-Cyprinidae; Genus-Mylopharyngodon; Species-M. piceus
 * Identification Tips: Darker color, human-molar like teeth, pointy face, with no scales on head.
 * Diet: Mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic insects, and fish eggs. Their teeth allows them to crush shells. 4-year-old black carp is able to eat 3 to 4 pounds of mussels per day.
 * Introduction: Imported in shipments of grass carp in 1970s unknowingly.

Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Mollusca; Class-Bivalvia; Subclass-Heterodonta; Order-Veneroida; Superfamily-Cyrenoidea; Family-Cyrenidae; Genus-Corbicula; Species-C. fluminea
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Asian Shore Crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus)
Identification Tips:Square-ish shell; 3 spines on each side of carapace; carapace green to purple to orange-brown to red; males have fleshy bulb-like structure at base of movable finger on claw
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Arthropoda; Subphylum-Crustacea; Class-Malacostraca; Order-Decapoda; Infraorder-Brachyura; Family-Varunidae; Genus-Hemigrapsus; Species-H. sanguineus


 * Anatomy:


 * Shell: Concentric rows of elevated ridges; rounded-triangular shape; brown-gold color; white-light purple nacre


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 * Misc/General: About 1.5 inches long or less


 * Adaptive anatomy: Secretes thread from gills that allows it to float down the current

Introduction:


 * How introduced: Where/when: First discovered 1938 in Washington state; possibly imported as food source


 * How spread: Accidentally with aquacultures; intentionally as food

Life Cycle:


 * Egg: Can produce up to 400 larvae per day


 * Larvae:


 * Pupa: (Nymph can replace Larvae/Pupa)


 * Reproduction:


 * General Reproduction: Hermaphroditic


 * What makes it so good at reproducing?:

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Native habitat: Asia, Africa, Australia


 * Characteristics of said habitat: Sand/gravel substrate with running water;

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):


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 * Control measures and effectiveness: Screens/traps; hot water injected into pipes; chlorine and bromine can be used but are environmental hazards


 * Damage (why it’s a problem): Clogging pipes; outcompeting native species;

Asian Swamp Eel (Monopterus albus)
Identification Tips:
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Chordata; Class-Actinopterygii; Order-Synbranchiformes; Family-Synbranchidae; Genus-Monopterus; Species-M. albus


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 * Misc/General: Nocturnal;


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 * How introduced: Where/when: Hawaii in early 1900s; Continental in mid 1990s; imported as food source and for aquarium trade


 * How spread:

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 * Egg: Laid in free floating nest in shallow water;


 * Larvae:


 * Pupa: (Nymph can replace Larvae/Pupa)


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 * What makes it so good at reproducing?:

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 * Diet:Crayfish; shrimp; worms; frogs; tadpoles; other fish;


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Native habitat: Asia


 * Characteristics of said habitat: Tropical/temperate freshwater;

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Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis)
Identification Tips:
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Arthropoda; Subphylum-Crustacea; Class-Malacostraca; Order-Decapoda; Infraorder-Brachyura; Family-Varunidae; Genus-Eriocheir; Species-E. sinensis


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Clubbed Tunicate (Styela clava)
Identification Tips:
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Chordata; Subphylum-Tunicata; Class-Ascidiacea, Order-Stolidobranchia; Family-Styelidae; Genus-Styela; Species-S. clava


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Eurasian Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus)
Identification Tips:
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Chordata; Class-Actinopterygii; Order-Perciformes; Family-Percidae; Genus-Gymnocephalus; Species-G. cernuus


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European Green Crab (Carcinus maenas)
Identification Tips:
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Arthropoda; Subphylum-Crustacea; Class-Malacostraca; Order-Decapoda; Infraorder-Brachyura; Family-Portunidae; Genus-Carcinus; Species-C. maenas
 * Similar species: dungeness crab, helmet crab
 * Dungeness crabs have 10 small spines, whereas European green crabs have 5 larger spines.
 * Helmet crabs have stiff hairs covering their entire body, unlike European green crabs.


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Lionfish (Pterois volitans)
Identification Tips:
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Chordata; Class-Actinopterygii; Order-Scorpaeniformes; Family-Scorpaenidae; Subfamily-Pteroinae; Genus-Pterois; Species-P. volitans


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Northern Snakehead (Channa argus)
Identification Tips:
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Chordata; Class-Actinopterygii; Order-Perciformes; Family-Channidae; Genus-Channa; Species-C. argus
 * Similar species: North American bowfin, blotched snakehead, burbot
 * North American bowfin is distinguished by a rounded tail and an eyespot near the tail in males.
 * Blotched snakehead is distinguished by its car-like markings on the caudal peduncle.
 * Burbot is distinguished by a split dorsal fin and a single barbel on the lower jaw.


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New Zealand Mud Snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum)
Identification Tips:
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Mollusca; Class-Gastropoda; Superfamily-Rissooidea; Family-Hydrobiidae; Genus-Potamopyrgus; Species-P. antipodarum


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Nutria (Myocastor coypus)
Identification Tips:
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Chordata; Class-Mammalia; Order-Rodentia; Family-Myocastoridae; Genus-Myocastor; Species-M. coypus


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Quagga Mussel (Dreissena bugensis)
Identification Tips:
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Mollusca; Class-Bivalvia; Subclass-Heterodonta; Order-Veneroida; Superfamily-Dreissenoidae; Family-Dreissenidae; Genus-Dreissena; Species-D. bugensis


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Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus)
Identification Tips:
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Chordata; Class-Actinopterygii; Order-Perciformes; Suborder-Gobioidei; Family-Gobiidae; Subfamily-Benthophilinae; Genus-Neogobius; Species-N. melanostomus
 * Native to all shallow water regions of the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Marmara Sea and in all areas of the Sea of Azov.
 * Introduction:
 * Was first recorded in North America in 1990 in the St Clair River at Sarnia, Ontario.
 * Likely introduced accidentally in ballast water.


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Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus)
Identification Tips: Greenish brown to brownish red on upper side; single brown spots on each side near middle
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Arthropoda; Subphylum-Crustacea; Class-Malacostraca; Order-Decapoda; Superfamily-Astacoidea; Family-Cambaridae; Genus-Orconectes; Species-O. rusticus


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 * Pupa: (Nymph can replace Larvae/Pupa)


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 * Control measures and effectiveness: Chemicals will work, but kill ALL crayfish; prevent introduction by educating anglers, etc.; human consumption;


 * Damage (why it’s a problem): Reduces native crayfish and vegetation populations;

Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)
Identification Tips: Smooth, scaleless skin; two dorsal fins; 7 distinct gills along sides
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Chordata; Superclass-Agnatha; Class-Hyperoartia (Petromyzontida); Order-Petromyzontiformes; Family-Petromyzontidae; Genus-Petromyzon; Species-P. marinus
 * Similar species: silver lamprey, chestnut lamprey, American brook lamprey, northern brook lamprey
 * Silver lampreys, chestnut lampreys, and northern brook lampreys have a single dorsal fin that is continuous with the caudal fin, unlike the sea lamprey which has a separated dorsal fin with two lobes. In addition, the 2nd dorsal fin lobe is separated from the caudal fin by a deep notch.
 * American brook lampreys have a dorsal fin that is separated by a deep notch, and the dorsal and caudal fins are nearly separate. This is unlike the sea lamprey, whose dorsal fin has well-separated lobes and whose 2nd dorsal fin lobe is separated from the caudal fin by only a deep notch.


 * Anatomy: No lateral line; no vertebrae; no swim bladder; no paired fins


 * Body:


 * Eyes:


 * Mouth: Jawless; sharp teeth surround a file-like tongue; large sucking disk


 * Misc/General:


 * Adaptive anatomy: Good sense of smell

Introduction: Through manmade locks and shipping canals; Niagara Falls used to be barrier against lampreys


 * How introduced: Where/when: First observed Lake Ontario in 1830; Erie in 1921; St. Clair ‘34; Lake MI ‘36, Huron ‘37; Superior ‘38


 * How spread:

Life Cycle:


 * Egg:


 * Larvae: Small, wormlike larvae swept downstream and burrow into sand; feed on carried bottom debris and algae; 4-6 years grow to 6 inches; then transform into parasitic phase; called ammocoetes


 * Pupa: (Nymph can replace Larvae/Pupa)


 * Reproduction:


 * General Reproduction:


 * What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:


 * Diet: Attach to fish with sucking mouth and suck out fluids; parasitic; can kill up to 40 pounds of fish over lifetime;


 * Behavior:


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 * Trophic Level:

Native habitat: Atlantic Ocean


 * Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat): Great Lakes


 * Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:


 * Laws and effectiveness:


 * Control measures and effectiveness: Lampricide: TFM in tributaries and Bayluscide on deltas (targets larvae); barriers;


 * Damage (why it’s a problem): Kill fish (lake trout, whitefish, chub, salmon, rainbow trout, burbot, walleye, catfish, etc.)

Sea Squirt (Didemnum vexillum)
Identification Tips: Immobile; long and club shaped on a tough stalk; tough/rumpled/nobbly/leathery;
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Chordata; Subphylum-Tunicata; Class-Ascidiacea; Order-Aplousobranchia; Family-Didemnidae; Genus-Didemnum; Species-D. vexillum


 * Anatomy: invertebrate; brownish-white, yellowish-brown, reddish-brown; look furry


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 * Misc/General: “solitary”, which means each has own stalk and adheres to substrate separately; live for 2 years and grow up to 160 mm


 * Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:


 * How introduced: Where/when: Probably accidentally on hulls of ships or with imported oysters; First seen on Pacific Coast around 1930


 * How spread:

Life Cycle:


 * Egg:


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 * Pupa: (Nymph can replace Larvae/Pupa)


 * Reproduction: Hermaphroditic


 * General Reproduction:


 * What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:


 * Diet: Zooplankton; detritus; phytoplankton


 * Behavior:


 * Niche:


 * Trophic Level:

Native habitat: Eastern Asia (Japan/China)


 * Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):


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 * Control measures and effectiveness: Attempted to market as “delicacy” to eat- Korean dish called Mideodok Chim; scraping or soaking in vinegar


 * Damage (why it’s a problem): Displaces native species (oysters, etc.); fouls hulls and shellfish farms by settling on ropes and shellfish;

Spiny Water Flea (Bythotrephes longimanus)
Identification Tips: Small crustacean; ½ inch long with barbed tail spine; parthenogenically produced (asexual) have kink in spine, sexually produced don’t;
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Arthropoda; Subphylum-Crustacea; Class-Branchiopoda; Order-Cladocera; Family-Cercopagididae; Genus-Bythotrephes; Species-B. longimanus


 * Anatomy:


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 * Eyes: One large black or red eye


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 * Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:


 * How introduced: Where/when: First found in Lake Huron in 1984; probably from ballast discharge


 * How spread:

Life Cycle:


 * Egg:


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 * Pupa: (Nymph can replace Larvae/Pupa)


 * Reproduction:


 * General Reproduction:


 * What makes it so good at reproducing?: Can produce both asexually and sexually;

Ecology:


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 * Trophic Level:

Native habitat: Great Britain; Northern Europe


 * Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat): Great Lakes


 * Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:


 * Laws and effectiveness:


 * Control measures and effectiveness: Clean cables and reels; dispose of live bait in trash; drain water before leaving; ONLY SUCCESSFUL WAY is to prevent introduction


 * Damage (why it’s a problem): Feeds on native zooplankton; fish fear the spiny tail so they won’t eat it

Veined Rapa Whelk (Rapana venosa)
Identification Tips: Globose (rounded) shell; short spire and large whorl; distinctive black veins, easily distinguished by deep orange aperture and columella
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Mollusca; Class-Gastropoda; Superfamily-Muricoidea; Family-Muricidae; Subfamily-Rapaninae; Genus-Rapana; Species-R. venosa


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Introduction:


 * How introduced: Where/when: Ballast water; eggs transported with marine products; discovered in lower Chesapeake Bay 1998


 * How spread:

Life Cycle:


 * Egg: Clusters; look like yellow shag carpet; 20-50 egg cases with 200-1000 eggs


 * Larvae: Pelagic; after 4-6 weeks settle down


 * Pupa: (Nymph can replace Larvae/Pupa)


 * Reproduction:


 * General Reproduction:


 * What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:


 * Diet: Smother prey with hinged part of shell, consume mollusks (oysters, clams)


 * Behavior:


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 * Trophic Level:

Native habitat: Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea, Bohai Sea, East China Sea


 * Characteristics of said habitat: Compact sandy bottoms (can burrow deep)

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):


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 * Damage (why it’s a problem): Eats a lot of prey, reducing food availability for others; can live up to 10 years and have no local predators

White Spotted Jellyfish (Phyllorhiza punctata)
Identification Tips: Bluish-brown with evenly distributed white spots;
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Cnidaria; Class-Scyphozoa; Order-Rhizostomae; Family-Mastigiidae; Genus-Phyllorhiza; Species-P. punctata


 * Anatomy:


 * Appendages: 8, thick, transparent arms; large brown bundles of stinging cells; longer hanging transparent appendage


 * Body:


 * Eyes:


 * Mouth:


 * Misc/General: Bell may reach 50 cm in diameter;


 * Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:


 * How introduced: Where/when: Ballast water; 1941-1945 into Pearl Harbor


 * How spread:

Life Cycle:


 * Egg:


 * Larvae:


 * Pupa: (Nymph can replace Larvae/Pupa)


 * Reproduction:


 * General Reproduction:


 * What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:


 * Diet: Filter feeders; don’t use venom; microscopic zooplankton;


 * Behavior:


 * Niche:


 * Trophic Level:

Native habitat: Australia


 * Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):


 * Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:


 * Laws and effectiveness:


 * Control measures and effectiveness:


 * Damage (why it’s a problem): Swarms/smacks eat all plankton, leaving no food for native species

Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)
Identification Tips: Small, fingernail sized; D-shaped; white interior; byssal threads
 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Animalia; Phylum-Mollusca; Class-Bivalvia; Subclass-Heterodonta; Order-Veneroida; Superfamily-Dreissenoidae; Family-Dreissenidae; Genus-Dreissena; Species-D. polymorpha


 * Anatomy:


 * Legs:


 * Body:


 * Eyes:


 * Mouth:


 * Misc/General:


 * Adaptive anatomy: Byssal threads help it attach to hard surfaces;

Introduction:


 * How introduced: Where/when: Ballast water dumping; Lake St. Claire in 1988


 * How spread:

Life Cycle: 4-5 years long;


 * Egg:


 * Larvae:


 * Pupa: (Nymph can replace Larvae/Pupa)


 * Reproduction:


 * General Reproduction:


 * What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:


 * Diet:


 * Behavior:


 * Niche:


 * Trophic Level:

Native habitat: Caspian Sea


 * Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):


 * Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:


 * Laws and effectiveness:


 * Control measures and effectiveness: UV rays, chemicals, electrical currents, and filters. Diving ducks and freshwater drum eat but cannot control; drain buckets and boats


 * Damage (why it’s a problem): Competing for food; colonize native species’ shells and kill them; attach to and clog water intakes and pipes of power plants and water supply facilities