Zebra Mussels in Manitoba: Here are the facts

The document describes zebra mussels as filter-feeding molluscs from Eastern Europe that attach to hard surfaces in high densities. It details their spread from the Great Lakes into Manitoba, likely via the Red River or overland transport, and identifies their presence in the Red River and Lake Winnipeg. Ecological risks include the depletion of algae affecting fish and insect populations, as well as the potential for shoreline algal blooms. The author advises the public to clean equipment moved from Lake Winnipeg to other water bodies and warns of physical injury from sharp shells.

• Zebra mussels are filter-feeding freshwater molluscs from the Ponto–Caspian region of Eastern Europe that attach to hard surfaces, such as rocks, plants, and boats, often reaching densities exceeding 10,000 individuals per square metre.
• First detected in Lake Erie in 1986, zebra mussels spread through the Great Lakes and Mississippi drainage to the Gulf of Mexico, eventually occupying over 800 lakes across eastern North America.
• In Manitoba, zebra mussels have been identified in the Red River, the south basin of Lake Winnipeg, and the north basin of Lake Winnipeg near George Island, with a veliger also detected in Cedar Lake.
• The ecological impact of zebra mussels depends on population size; they can remove algae and particles from the water column, leading to declines in fish and insects, while their waste can stimulate plant growth and cause noxious shoreline algal blooms.
• In Lake Winnipeg, zebra mussels are expected to completely cover most rocky surfaces, docks, and water intakes in the southern basin within a few years.

APA

Higgins, S. (2017). Zebra Mussels in Manitoba: Here are the facts. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/articles/insight/zebra-mussels-manitoba-here-are-facts

Chicago

Higgins, Scott. Zebra Mussels in Manitoba: Here are the facts. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2017. https://www.iisd.org/articles/insight/zebra-mussels-manitoba-here-are-facts.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Higgins |first1=Scott |title=Zebra Mussels in Manitoba: Here are the facts |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=4 April 2017 |url=https://www.iisd.org/articles/insight/zebra-mussels-manitoba-here-are-facts |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{higgins2017zebra, author = {Higgins, Scott}, title = {{Zebra Mussels in Manitoba: Here are the facts}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2017}, month = apr, url = {https://www.iisd.org/articles/insight/zebra-mussels-manitoba-here-are-facts}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }