Zebra mussels confirmed in Long Lake in Kandiyohi County

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed a report of zebra mussels in Long Lake, near Willmar in Kandiyohi County.

A lake property owner contacted the DNR after his daughter found a zebra mussel attached to a rock while swimming in the lake. DNR invasive species specialists conducted a snorkel search of two areas of the 1,568-acre lake. They found a single zebra mussel at each location.

Zebra mussels can compete with native species for food and habitat, cut the feet of swimmers, reduce the performance of boat motors, and cause expensive damage to water intake pipes.