Zebra Mussels Confirmed In Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota - Star-Tribune

[hatrack]

Zebra mussels have invaded Lake Minnetonka, a breach of the state's defenses against invasive species that threatens to dramatically change the character of Minnesota's 10th-largest lake within just a few years.

Department of Natural Resources biologists confirmed Wednesday that a small number of mussels are attached to rocks along the shore, and their size suggests that a reproducing population has been in the lake for at least a year. In places where they've become established, the fingernail-sized mussels proliferate by the millions, consume food needed by fish, clog water intake pipes, ruin fish spawning beds and litter beaches and shallow areas with razor-sharp shells.

The mussels were found on the east side of Wayzata Bay near Hwy. 101. That's not far from the lake's outlet to Minnehaha Creek, raising fears that the mussels may spread into that waterway, or may have done so already. Minnehaha Creek is connected to lakes Nokomis and Hiawatha in Minneapolis.

For years DNR officials have worked with the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District and others to educate boaters and anglers to prevent the spread of zebra mussels. They also inspected boats and trailers and directed owners to remove plants, mussels and water from bait buckets and vessels that traveled in infested lakes and rivers. The efforts may have bought some time, but they didn't stop the mussels' entry into Minnetonka. "Unfortunately, zebra mussels still found their way to the lake," said Luke Skinner, supervisor of DNR's invasive species program.

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http://www.startribune.com/local/99504434.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUHPYDiaK7DUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. uh oh.

Not good.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. All indigenous life in our entire Great Lakes systems is at risk.....

[Bobbieo]

3. All indigenous life on our Planet is at risk!!!

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Sadly, your are absolutely correct.