(FOX40.COM)-- An intrusive snail that was very first discovered in the U.S. more than three decades ago has actually been found for the first time in Lake Tahoe, according to the Tahoe Regional Preparation Firm and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District.

Divers contracted by the Aquatic Invasive Species Program found New Zealand mudsnails at the bottom of the lake about a half mile from the mouth of the Upper Truckee River, near the city of South Lake Tahoe.

The scuba divers were surveying intrusive weeds when they discovered the mudsnails, which have actually also been spotted in the close-by Lower Truckee River, close to Reno, Nevada.

After the discovery, a group was put together to survey the level of the invasion and to share their findings with state and federal wildlife officials.

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The New Zealand mudsnail is typically smaller sized than a grain of rice and can rapidly colonize new waters, the statement reads.

The animal was first found in the U.S. in the state of Idaho in 1987 and is currently discovered in 22 states, including California and Nevada.

The statement from the agencies says that environment change is among the factors brand-new invasive types might take hold in Lake Tahoe and the larger region, which lake visitors might do their part in maintaining communities by cleansing, drying and draining water equipment, boats, kayaks and toys when finishing a trip to any body of water, to avoid carrying types to another body of water.

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" Lake Tahoe is one of the most protected waterbodies in the United States and our aquatic invasive species monitoring program is credited as the factor for this worrying discovery," TRPA Executive Director Julie Regan stated in a declaration.

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" It is vital that everybody stay alert and follow the mantra of Clean, Drain, and Dry. Every boater, paddler, and angler shares the responsibility to safeguard Lake Tahoe's native species and the waters we delight in."