Zebra mussels discovered in three Minnesota lakes

A zebra mussel infestation is continuing to spread in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that zebra mussels have been detected in three more lakes in the state. The news comes not too long after zebra mussels were first detected in a lake in southwestern Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR says zebra mussels are now living in Eagle Lake just outside the city of Mankato. The agency also reported confirmed cases of zebra mussels in White Sand Lake further north near Brainerd and at Long Lake close to Minneapolis.

“An angler contacted the DNR after finding a zebra mussel on aquatic plants in Long Lake,” the agency said in a release. “A DNR invasive species specialist found zebra mussels on a dock at the Long Lake public water access.”

Zebra mussels are a notorious invasive species and pest in the United States. Known to foul water intake infrastructure and cause other expensive damage, the invasive mollusk has been expanding its reach in lakes and rivers in the US Midwest and West.

Authorities have little means of combating the spread other than urging boaters to clean and dry their boats as often as possible before each use. It’s widely understood that zebra mussels can migrate from lake to lake by hitching a ride on boats.

Following the discovery that three more lakes are infested, Minnesota DNR is reminding boaters that state law requires them to clean and dry their boats in a bid to halt the zebra mussels’ spread.

“The DNR reminds people to carefully check boats and trailers, docks and lifts, and all other water-related equipment for invasive species when removing equipment for seasonal storage,” officials there stressed.

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