Invasive zebra mussels have been confirmed in Big Marine Lake in northern Washington County, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The adult zebra mussels were found on boats exiting the lake at two different locations, DNR officials said.
Zebra mussels clinging to a metal rod. (Forum News Service)
No adult zebra mussels were found during subsequent dive searches, but water samples analyzed by the DNR contained veligers, the larval form of zebra mussels, which “suggests reproducing zebra-mussel populations,” officials said.
Zebra mussels also were discovered attached to a dock on Cedar Lake, near New Prague in Scott County, according to the DNR, and larvae were detected in water samples.
“For that reason, these lakes will be listed as infested for zebra mussels,” DNR officials said.
Zebra mussels also were found this summer in DeMontroville and Olson Lakes in Lake Elmo and in Long Lake in Pine Springs, located on the northeast corner of Interstate 694 and Minnesota 36.
State law requires boaters, anglers and waterfront property owners to take a variety of actions to prevent the spread of zebra mussels, regardless of whether a lake has an infestation, according to the DNR.
People should contact the DNR if they believe they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species not already known to be in the water body.
Zebra mussels can compete with native species for food and habitat, cut the feet of swimmers, reduce the performance of boat motors and damage water intake pipes.
More information is available at dnr.state.mn.us/ais.
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