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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says zebra mussels have been found in Crystal Lake in north-central Iowa.
The invasive species are native to eastern Europe and are voracious eaters that gobble up plankton many native freshwater fish need to survive. The mussels can attach themselves to boat motors, bait buckets, and dam mechanisms and cause damage to motors and facilities.
The Iowa department says juvenile versions of the small black and white species were discovered in a recent water sample. No adult zebra mussels were found in a follow-up survey. Officials say the mussels probably arrived on or in a boat that had been in an infested water body, such as nearby Clear Lake.
Boaters are urged to clean, drain and dry watercraft to prevent the spread.
Flooding on the Mississippi River continues to set records for the number of days of high water. In Burlington, the river has been above its banks for 104 days and counting. That surpasses the mark set in 1993.
The Quad Cities reached a record of 96 days before the Mississippi fell below flood stage last week. Davenport Mayor Frank Klipsch says with that much time, the weight of the water can cause damage from below.
0620klipsch: 08 We know some of the hydrostatic pressure on one side of the barriers was literally pushing streets up so we had to put sandbags on streets so it didn’t blow holes in them.
Klipsch says the city will inspect streets and sewer lines to check for breaks caused by underground pressure. A group of mayors from cities along the river estimates the flood damage will add up to more than two billion dollars.
