Tuesday July 30, 2024
Las Vegas Sun —
Evidence of invasive, destructive zebra mussels in the Colorado River could mean trouble for wildlife, boaters and water companies alike, but it’s not yet clear if the thumbnail-sized mollusk will appear in Southern Nevada as a result.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife this month found zebra mussels’ microscopic larvae, called veligers, in the Colorado River and Government Highline Canal near Grand Junction, Colo.
They will take more samples and increase testing for veligers to determine if the species has gained a foothold in Colorado’s waters, officials said.
“They are prolific breeders, they change ecosystems over time,” said Kelly Stockton, a biologist who works in invasive mussel remediation. “If they find a good spot, they will proliferate and take over an area.”