Invasive Zebra Mussels Discovered In Madison’s Lake Mendota

The discovery of zebra mussels in a Madison lake has scientists hoping to learn more about the spread of the invasive creature in dozens of other waterways.

All the Great Lakes and nearly 200 Wisconsin inland lakes and rivers are infested with zebra mussels. The mollusks can clog water intake pipes or hurt water quality by fostering excessive algae growth. Now the thumb-sized mussels have been found in small amounts in many areas of Lake Mendota, in Madison. University of Wisconsin-Madison limnology professor Jake VanderZanden said he thinks the mussels are at an early stage in Mendota, and that may allow scientists to learn.

“Maybe their population is going to explode, increase rapidly, and we can gain an understanding about how their population grows,” he said. “On the other hand, maybe they stay at low levels and we can try to figure out why.”

VanderZanden said Lake Mendota is often studied, and the mussels may give researchers more to do for years.