Invasive mussels found in Colorado reservoirs

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Exotic mussels that compete with native species and clog pipes, pumps and boat motors have been found in two more Colorado reservoirs, the Colorado Division of Wildlife announced.

Larvae of quagga mussels have been discovered in Jumbo Reservoir in Logan County and Tarryall Reservoir in Park County, the agency said Thursday.

also been found in Grand Lake, Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Reservoir, Willow Creek Reservoir and Lake Pueblo, the Granby-based Sky-Hi Daily News reported.

Colorado officials are inspecting boats at several reservoirs in hopes of preventing the spread of the mussels, wildlife officials said. (Parts of the Colorado River serve Southern California, by the way.)

Native to Eastern Europe, quagga mussels multiply by the millions, clogging pipes (as pictured above) and competing with fish for food. They’ve been spotted throughout California as well.

--Francisco Vara-Orta

Photo credits: (top) California Department of Fish and Game; (right) Bill Tate / U.S. Geological Survey