Zebra mussels found in Lake Minnetonka

In spite of a concerted effort to get boaters to clean their equipment, the zebra mussel has found its way to popular Lake Minnetonka.

A local resident found some young zebra mussels in the lake, and the Department of Natural Resources says it's likely a population has been reproducing for at least a year.

So far the numbers are small. The DNR will do a survey later in the summer when mussels will be larger and more visible.

Since their discovery in the Duluth harbor in 1989, zebra mussels have spread to 17 Minnesota lakes.

Heavy infestations can kill native mussels, impact fish populations, interfere with recreation, and foul water supply facilities.

The DNR says boaters on Lake Minnetonka should keep cleaning their boats before moving them to another lake or river.

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