Zebra mussels are an invasive species. They first appeared in the US in the 1980s. They have caused billions of dollars in damage. Up to now, they have only been found in rivers and lakes in the East and Midwest. But they have now been detected in the Colorado River, wildlife officials say. The sightings mark a steady expansion for the clam-like creatures. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) first detected zebra mussel larvae in July. They will probably spread quickly, officials say. “Zebra mussels pose an extreme risk ... to Colorado,” CPW wrote in its statement. The mussels filter plankton from the water. That robs many native fish and other species of their natural food source, CPW explained. CPW also noted that female zebra mussels can produce up to 1 million eggs each spawning season. As the mussels grow, they form dense clusters. They attach to rocks, the undersides of boats, and the interior of sewer and water intake pipes. That clogs them up. A 2022 study by the US Forest Service estimated that zebra mussels were responsible for $500 million in damages annually in the Great Lakes region alone. The spread of zebra mussels, experts note, is entirely human-caused. They are native to Asia. Humans spread them on the hulls of ships. As humans move from waterway to waterway, zebra mussels hitch a ride. That's how they made it to the Colorado River, CPW says. “This news is devastating,” Tina Bergonzini said in the press release. Bergonzini is a Colorado regional water manager. Reflect: What do you consider before using or enjoying natural places like rivers, lakes, or forests? Photo of zebra mussel clusters on a boat propeller courtesy the US Fish and Wildlife Service via Wikimedia Commons.
