Zebra mussels confirmed in Bde Maka Ska

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Zebra mussels have made their way to Bde Maka Ska. 

A Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board watercraft inspector contacted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources after finding two juvenile zebra mussels on a sailboat as it was being removed from the lake for the season. The DNR confirmed the report. 

Zebra mussels are an invasive species that can compete with native species for food and habitat, cut the feet of swimmers, reduce the performance of boat motors and cause expensive damage to water intake pipes. 

Staff from the DNR, park board and other agencies are inspecting the lake to determine the extent and distribution of the zebra mussel population. Young zebra mussels indicate in-lake reproduction, which would likely make treatment ineffective, the DNR said. 

The park board is inspecting all sailboats being removed from the lake, but zebra mussels have not been found on any other boats so far. 

In 2017, Zebra mussels were confirmed in Lake Harriet, which is downstream from Bde Maka Ska.