Zebra mussels found in Minneapolis, Lakeville lakes

A single zebra mussel was found recently in Minneapolis' Lake Harriet and five were found in Lake Marion in Lakeville, adding the two lakes to the list of infested waters.

The mussel in Lake Harriet was found on a boat cover recovered from the bottom of the lake. No others were found after an extensive 67-hour search of the lake, which eventually could be removed from the Infested Waters List if no other mussels are found during future surveys.

"We're grateful that no zebra mussels were found during the extensive dive, snorkel and wading search of Lake Harriet," said Heidi Wolf, invasive species unit supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Lake Harriet will be carefully monitored the rest of the season and next year, but no treatment is necessary at this time, said DNR invasive species specialist Keegan Lund. Individual zebra mussels sometimes die after they are brought into a new lake and before they become established, he said.

As part of Lakeville's early detection program, the city hired a lake consulting business, which found five adult zebra mussels at the public access landing. Lakeville may apply for a pilot project treatment after a more thorough search of the lake is completed.

It's a common misconception that "zebra mussels are everywhere and that their spread is inevitable," Lund said. "The reality is, of Minnesota's 11,842 lakes, fewer than 250, about 1.8 percent, are listed as infested with zebra mussels."

More Minnesotans than ever before are following our state's invasive species laws, which can prevent them from spreading to new lakes, Lund said.

The DNR suggest people look on the posts, wheels and underwater support bars of docks and lifts as well as any parts of boats, pontoons and rafts that have been submerged in water for an extended time. State law requires that docks and lifts be dried for at least 21 days before they're placed in another body of water.

Mary Lynn Smith • 612-673-4788