Zebra Mussels Found in Red River

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Young zebra mussels have been found in the Red River at several locations downstream from Wahpeton for the first time.

North Dakota's Game and Fish Department says a June survey found a "significant" number of zebra mussel larvae at Wahpeton, Abercrombie, Fargo, Grand Forks, Drayton and Pembina.

Zebra mussel larvae were found in the Wahpeton area in 2010, 2011 and 2014, but not north of the city.

The only known population of zebra mussels within the Red River basin is an established population of adults in the Otter Tail River watershed in Minnesota. Biologists now wonder if there are undiscovered colonies of adult zebra mussels elsewhere within the Red River watershed.

Zebra mussels compete with native species, clog water intakes and can even sink docks and buoys with their weight.