Example of a Zebra mussel.Photo bySmithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Zebra mussels are small striped mollusks that may appear harmless, but they’re a threat to aquatic ecosystems and infrastructure. These mussels have quickly spread across the United States and locally, they have been seen in Lake Jacomo, Lake Lotawana, and Smithville Lake. It was recently reported these mussels were found in Longview Lake.

Named for their yellow and brown striped shells, they range in size from ¼ to 1½ inches long and are sharp enough to cut a swimmer's feet. (Source.)

In 1991, they were reported in the Mississippi River close to St. Louis. They're also in the Lake of the Ozarks and have been found further west in the Colorado River and other states including California, Texas, Nevada, and Utah. Visit here to view a cumulative USGS map displaying the locations of the mussels from 1986 (initially appearing in the Great Lakes) area through 2024.

Zebra mussels are highly productive breeders

One single female can produce up to one million eggs per year. This explosive population growth colonizes waterways, and they outcompete native species for food and habitat. As they accumulate, zebra mussels can clog water intake pipes, hydroelectric facilities, and other important infrastructure, leading to expensive repairs.

Zebra mussels.Photo byGerardM, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Aside from infrastructure issues, zebra mussels also pose threats to biodiversity. By filtering out plankton, they deprive native species of essential nutrients, throwing fragile food webs out of balance. The loss of native mussels and other aquatic life has effects that echo throughout entire ecosystems.

Controlling the spread of the zebra mussels is the goal. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) states that zebra mussels are "an invasive, fingernail-sized mollusk that is native to fresh waters in Eurasia." Even though they're small, imagine the damage they can do.

Zebra mussels probably arrived in the Great Lakes in the 1980s via ballast water that was discharged by large ships from Europe. They have spread rapidly throughout the Great Lakes region and into the large rivers of the eastern Mississippi drainage. (Source.)

Zebra mussel infestation on the walls of Arthur V. Ormond Lock on the Arkansas River near Morrilton, Arkansas.Photo byLaurie Driver, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Zebra mussels have been causing major problems in many parts of the United States, including Missouri. they reproduce and spread through the water. Here's some pros and cons:

Pros

• They're great filter feeders by clearing particles or nutrients as the water passes through them, which improves water clarity.
• As they filter the water, this can provide more sunlight for aquatic plants at the bottom, or animals.

Cons

• They coat water intake pipes and could be settling inside the pipe making it difficult for facilities to pull out the water.
• They can negatively affect power plants and water treatment facilities.
• They can alter the food web for other animal life in the water.
• They can impact the fish population.
• If they're littering beaches, this can be dangerous for beach activities due to their sharp shells.

These mussels have been found in 30 states and have spread in waterways including the Missouri River. The environmental and economic effects of Zebra mussels are costly. They have sharp shells that can damage boats and water intake pipes. Their toxins are also harmful to humans and wildlife.

Because this type of mussel poses a significant threat, steps must be taken to prevent more spread and manage the impact on the areas they have affected. This would include having regulations on ballast water discharge, monitoring their populations, and educating the public about them. Visit here to learn how the spread can be prevented.

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