Invasive zebra mussels found in Longview Lake

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation fisheries staff recently found invasive zebra mussels in Longview Lake.

This is the most recent discovery of the mussels in the state and the fist discover in Longview Lake.

Zebra mussels were first reported in Missouri in 1991 in the Mississippi River near St. Louis.

They are an invasive species that came to North America in international shipping ballast water and were first discovered in Lake St. Clair near Detroit in 1988.

They spread to the Missouri River and stream downstream of infested lakes. They have also been found in nine other nearby lakes: Blue Springs Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Carrollton Recreation Lake, Lake Jacomo, Lake Lotawana, Lake Taneycomo, Lake of the Ozarks, Prairie Lee Lake and Smithville Lake.

Zebra mussels are known to hurt native fish numbers and disrupt aquatic ecosystems while also decimating populations of native freshwater mussels and other aquatic animals.

One of the greatest risks for spreading the invasive mussels to other lakes and rivers is overland transport on boats, motors, trailers, docks, aquatic plants, pumps and other equipment.

They can clog power plants, public drinking water intakes, foul boat hulls and motors. The economic impact of Zebra mussels in North America is expected to total billions of dollars in the next decade.

The MDC says boaters using Longview Lake and other rivers should follow these steps when to keep their equipment free of zebra mussels: clean, drain, dry and dispose.

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