Zebra Mussels: Unwanted Tourists

With their beautiful beaches and charming locals, the Great Lakes are excellent tourist locations.

However, there is one unwanted tourist that has recently invaded the great lake ecosystem: the zebra mussel.

Quick Facts about the Zebra Mussel

• Small, freshwater mussel originally native to Russia
• About the size of a fingernail but can grow up to 2 in. in length
• Notable striped patterns on shells
• Are filter feeders
• Can live up to 4 or 5 years
• May produce 30,000 to 1 million eggs a year
• They can live up to 3 or 4 days out of the water if needed

Why Zebra Mussels are Bad for the Lakes

These mollusks compete with native mussels, devouring available food and reducing grounds for local fish. Like a horde of locusts, Zebra mussels attach themselves to native mussels by the thousands, making it impossible for native mussels to function and reproduce.

Zebra Mussels are algae feeders, filtering the water of microorganisms necessary for other native fish to survive. Although this gives the water a “cleaner” appearance, in all actuality, Zebra Mussels leave a surprising amount of detritus behind.

Additional Concerns

Zebra Mussels come in such high numbers that they can even clog and block major pipes to utility and manufacturing industries, causing an estimated $5 billion dollars in damage over the next decade.

Zebra mussels are an especially large nuisance when they wash up on shore, their sharp shells can cut unsuspecting tourist’s feet and resulting in the need for water shoes.

What can we do to help?

In order to control these tiny invaders, it is absolutely critical to observe their behavior and biology. The USGS (United States Geological Survey) has made it their focus to document Zebra Mussel behavior.

Methods used to control Zebra Mussel population near power plants are as follows:
• Manual removal (high pressure wash)
• Electrical current
• Acoustical vibration
• Filters and Screens
• Toxic and non-toxic coatings such as copper and silicone
• Ultraviolet light

Meanwhile, please don’t take it upon yourself to reduce mussel population by catching Zebra Mussel to use as bait, food, or pets.