Zebra mussels were discovered In Lake Minnetonka by a local resident on July 27, 2010 and confirmed by DNR biologists on July 28, 2010.
The zebra mussel is a small, fingernail-sized mussel first found in Lake St. Clair near Detroit in 1988. This native of the Caspian Sea region in Asia is tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions. To date, they have spread to parts of all the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, and are showing up in inland lakes. A common problem they present is the clogging of water-intake systems of power plants, water treatment facilities, and the cooling systems of boat engines. Eventually, they may eliminate native mussel species.
One factor in the rapid spread of zebra mussels is the reproductive rate of a female zebra mussel. Spawning generally occurs in the spring and can continue through the summer until fall. Over the course of a year, a female zebra mussel can produce up to one million eggs. These develop into microscopic, free-swimming larvae called veligers that begin to form shells. At about three weeks, they begin to firmly attach themselves to solid objects such as submerged rocks, dock pilings, boat hulls, and water intake pipes.
The LMCD urges all to refer to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) Aquatic Invasive Species website pages (links provided below) to obtain current information on aquatic invasive species.
Aquatic Invasive Species
Clean All Recreational Equipment (Spray, Rinse, Dry)