Lake Brownwood, Inks Lake infested with zebra mussels

Though quite small, zebra mussels reproduce rapidly and can ruin boating equipment, damage fish habitat and clog water supply pipelines. COURTESY PHOTO | TEXAS PARTS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT
Though quite small, zebra mussels reproduce rapidly and can ruin boating equipment, damage fish habitat and clog water supply pipelines. COURTESY PHOTO | TEXAS PARTS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has designated Lake Brownwood, Inks Lake and Medina Lake in the Colorado and San Antonio River basins as “infested” with invasive zebra mussels.

These animals grow only to about 1.5 inches in length but multiply rapidly over large areas. They lack natural predators and can cause significant environmental and economic damage. Zebra mussels ruin fish spawning a…