Water quality-based risk assessment for zebra mussel establishment: A case study of single- and multiple-factor methods in northern temperate lakes

Lake and Reservoir Management
By: , and 

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Abstract

Most previous research has used an individual water quality parameter, such as calcium, to predict likelihood of zebra mussel establishment in lakes; we employed two multiple-factor methods, our own susceptibility index for zebra mussels in lakes (SIZL) and aragonite saturation state, to evaluate the risk of mussel establishment. Thirty sites in Voyageurs National Park (VNP) were sampled in 2023 for water quality conditions, including those that play a key role in mussel survivability. These results were combined with existing data sets to determine which lakes, and which locations within the larger lakes, are at greatest risk for zebra mussel establishment. Results for VNP indicate that physical lake characteristics and water quality conditions (both single- and multiple-factor methods) put the large, interconnected lakes in VNP at greater risk of zebra mussel establishment than the smaller interior lakes. All sampled interior lakes had alkalinity and calcium concentrations below thresholds conducive to zebra mussel establishment, although Mukooda and O’Leary lakes were identified as the most at-risk interior lakes. The area in the large lakes most at risk was Sullivan Bay in Kabetogama Lake, where water quality conditions were found to be conducive to zebra mussel establishment. Results from this study could be used by resource managers to focus additional inspections, decontaminations, and regulations to protect the most at-risk lakes. These multiple-factor methods may be useful in determining the risk of zebra mussel infestation in other water bodies.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Water quality-based risk assessment for zebra mussel establishment: A case study of single- and multiple-factor methods in northern temperate lakes
Series title Lake and Reservoir Management
DOI 10.1080/10402381.2025.2488829
Volume 41
Issue 2
Publication Date June 11, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Taylor & Francis
Contributing office(s) Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Description 19 p.
First page 124
Last page 142
Country United States
State Minnesota
Other Geospatial Voyageurs National Park
Additional publication details