October 6, 2007 - Zebra Mussels
An article from the Star Tribune yesterday focused on the discovery of Zebra mussels in three lakes that are part of the St. Paul drinking water system. This invasive species, while not toxic, is know for disrupting fresh water ecosystems and clogging water supply pipes. The mussel is native to the Black, Caspian, and Azov Seas in Russia and are believed to be introduced to the Great Lakes by a cargo ship. According to the USGS, they "are established in all the Great Lakes, most of the large navigable rivers in the eastern United States and in many inland lakes in the Great Lakes region."
Minnesota DNR - Zebra Mussel page
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquaticanimals/zebramussel/index.html
USGS - Zebra and Quagga Mussel Page
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/taxgroup/mollusks/zebramussel/
National Invasive Species Information Center
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatics/zebramussel.shtml
Nationalatlas.gov
http://nationalatlas.gov/articles/biology/a_zm.html