Zebra Mussels Confirmed at Lake Lavon in North Texas

Yet another Texas lake has been invaded by an invasive species.

Lake Lavon, located just northeast of Dallas, has confirmed presence of zebra mussels and their larvae.

The confirmation was given following testing by the U.S. Geological Survey, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

A team of USGS scientists has been monitoring north Texas reservoirs and rivers for the presence of juvenile and adult zebra mussels and their DNA.

Zebra mussels can quickly cover boats and motors left in infested waters, clog public-water intake pipes and water cooling systems, negatively impact aquatic ecosystems, and can make water recreation dangerous due to their razor-sharp shells.

The presence of live zebra mussels has been confirmed in Lakes Texoma, Ray Roberts, Lewisville, Bridgeport, Belton, and now Lavon.

USGS tests also detected zebra mussel DNA in Lakes Grapevine, Fork, and Tawakoni, but that does not necessarily mean that they are infested.

Boats are believed to be one of the main ways that zebra mussels are transferred from one lake to another. Boaters should always clean, drain, and completely dry boats, trailers, and gear after leaving a water body.

Zebra mussels were first discovered on boats being transported from out of state to Lake Texoma in 2006. Lake Texoma became the first Texas lake to become infested in 2009.

You can read more from Texas Parks and Wildlife here.