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Zebra Mussels Turn Up in Iowa’s Great Lakes
A few zebra mussels have turned up in Iowa's Great Lakes, said Mike Hawkins of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, but that doesn't mean an infestation is imminent.
The best way to prevent the spread of zebra mussels is to avoid inadvertently giving them a ride from one body of water to another. In fact, Iowa law requires that all water be drained from boats leaving a body of water and all aquatic plants be removed. The Aquatic Invasive Species Law, which took effect July 1, is meant to quell the spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species.
Zebra mussels harm lakes by consuming nutrients and excreting waste. They filter a lot of phytoplankton and zooplankton from the water, which are important for the native life.
Water in a lake infested with zebra mussels increases in clarity, and the clear water allows sunlight to penetrate deeper, changing the lake's natural life cycle,
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