Where can you find zebra mussels in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, the Zebra Mussel was first found in Lake Superior in 1988. Since then, they have spread to major waterways, including the Mississippi River downstream from the Twin Cities.

Where can zebra mussels be found today?

The first established population was discovered in 1988 at Lake St. Clair, which straddles the border between the U.S. and Canada and which connects to Lake Erie and Lake Huron. They quickly spread across the Great Lakes, and are now present in the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers as far north as Stillwater.

Are zebra mussels illegal?

It is illegal to own, sell or distribute live zebra mussels in the U.S. The USGS received the first reports during the last week of February and raised the alarm to other federal and state agencies, which have since sprung into action.

Can a lake get rid of zebra mussels?

The notion that zebra mussels cannot be eradicated once they infest a lake appears again and again in the media. It often shows up before zebra mussels themselves are detected.

Why are zebra mussels so bad?

Coating pipes One of the more well-known problems with zebra mussels is the way they rapidly coat water intake pipes, which is a problem for drinking water treatment plants, power plants and any other industry that’s pulling water out of the lakes through a pipe.

Will zebra mussels ever go away?

“Once zebra mussels have colonized a lake or river system, there are no known ‘miracle cures’ to eliminate them or control their abundance. Most control efforts have focused upon dealing with zebra mussels in water intakes and water systems of power plants, industrial facilities and water utilities.

Are zebra mussels bad for humans?

Inland lakes in Michigan that have been invaded by zebra mussels, an exotic species that has plagued bodies of water in several states since the 1980s, have higher levels of algae that produce a toxin that can be harmful to humans and animals, according to a Michigan State University researcher.

Why are moss balls bad?

Moss balls are often used in home aquariums to help absorb harmful nutrients in the water and limit the growth of undesirable algae, according to state officials. Wildlife officials said not only are zebra mussels harmful to other aquatic life, the invasive species can clog water pipes and restrict water supplies.

What is so bad about zebra mussels?

Can you get rid of zebra mussels?

No chemical control agent is known to kill zebra mussels without seriously harming other aquatic life or water quality. A 2% chlorine bleach solution is effective at killing zebra mussels when cleaning boating equipment or other gear away from waterbodies.

What to do about zebra mussels in Minnesota?

Whether or not a lake is listed as infested, Minnesota law requires water recreationists to: Clean watercraft of all aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species. Drain all water by removing drain plugs and keeping them out during transport.

When was the zebra mussel first discovered in the Great Lakes?

They were first discovered in the Great Lakes in 1988 and were first confirmed in the Duluth/Superior Harbor in 1989. Refer to EDDMapS Midwest for current distribution.

How much water does a zebra mussel filter?

A single zebra mussel can filter one quart of water per day while feeding primarily on algae. They live underwater, attached to natural and manmade substrates such as rocks, wood, plants, native mussels, pipes, docks, boat lifts, swim rafts, moored watercraft, and other debris.

How are zebra mussels harmful to the environment?

Zebra mussel impacts: Encrust equipment, such as boat motors and hulls, which reduces performance and efficiency and is costly to clean and repair. Swimmers and pets can cut their feet on zebra mussels attached to rocks, docks, swim rafts and ladders. Create a costly problem for power plants, cities and residents when they clog water intakes.