Research Study of Zebra Mussels

A group of LRIA members met with Olivia Nyffeler from the University of Minnesota last night to hear about her research study of Zebra Mussels in Lake Riley.  Josh Maxwell from the Watershed District, Lori Haak from the City of Eden Prairie, and a representative from the US Geological Survey joined her.  The research project is being funded by the USGS.  This will be Olivia’s Ph.D. project working under the guidance of Prof. Gretchen Hansen.
 
You may have noticed the buoys they put in the lake to monitor Zebra Mussels.  The buoys have a USGS logo on them.  They will be there for 2-3 months, and the plates are about 10-12 feet deep.
 
Chemical treatments won’t be done until late July or early August 2026.  The low dose copper treatments will not interfere with any enjoyment of the lake such as swimming and are not expected to have any adverse effects on fish.  
 
This is a follow up study to what was done in Lake Minnetonka.  Here is a short summary of that study.  https://maisrc.umn.edu/news/mnkta-copper
 
It might make sense for Olivia to speak at a future LRIA Annual Meeting to educate us on what she learns.
 
Scott