Zebra mussel larvae invade Red River

FARGO, N.D. (KFGO-AM) – An adult zebra mussel has been found in the Red River in Fargo.

To make sure the water plant is zebra mussel free, screens coated in copper will replace the old ones.

Game and Fish had confirmed the presence of large numbers of zebra mussel veligers or larvae at several locations along the Red River earlier in the week, and this is the first documented adult zebra mussel collected in North Dakota waters.

Fred Ryckman, an aquatic nuisance species coordinator for the Game and Fish Department, said in a statement that “the results are certainly surprising in that so many veligers were detected at each of the six sampled sites”.

Hall said the aquatic invasive species won’t affect your drinking water, the taste or the cost, but they will become a nuisance if not controlled.

Zebra mussel veligers were recently found in the Red River at the Canadian border, and the mussels have historically been found near Wahpeton in the Otter Tail River, Ryckman said.

Veligers’ are a menace as they pose danger to the survival of the native species; they can clog water intakes and can even sink docks and buoys with their weight.

Ryckman further warned the boaters, anglers and others to be careful about transporting any water away from the Red.