Another Minnesota Lake Infested With Zebra Mussels
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued a press release this week that yet another lake has now been contaminated with zebra mussels.
What are zebra mussels?
Zebra Mussels are an invasive species, that first showed up in the Great Lakes in the 1980s. They traveled from Eurasia to the area in ballast water that was discharged from large ships.
The zebra mussels spread rapidly through the Great Lakes Region, and down the Mississippi Driver. They've been found as far away as Texas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California.
Zebra Mussels Found In Cedar Lake in Morrison County.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources confirmed the presence of zebra mussels on settlement samplers at multiple locations in Cedar Lake.
What's a settlement sampler?
Settlement samplers are solid surfaces that are temporarily put in the water to help detect zebra mussels. The Pine-Cedar Lake association found the zebra mussels on the samplers and notified the DNR, who then later confirmed the findings.
Zebra mussels affect a lake's ecosystem. They kill native mussels, and they filter out algae that native species need for food. They also clog up water intake for power plants, which is very costly to fix.
Minnesota Invasive Species Law
To help prevent the spread of invasive species, Minnesota has enacted aquatic invasive species laws.
- Clean watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
- Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
- Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
- Never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
- Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days before moving them from one water body to another.
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Gallery Credit: Meagan Drillinger