Lake Minnetonka Habitat Suitability Assessment for Invasive Zebra Mussels

Document
Description
The water column conditions in 22 out of 26 Lake Minnetonka bays that were assessed in this study have conditions that are suitable to support moderate to optimal zebra mussel growth based on high calcium concentrations (used for shell growth) and moderate chlorophyll concentrations providing a suitable food source from algae. The lake bottom conditions (substrate) are dominated by sand out to the mudline, where sediments then transition to muck. This is not optimal zebra mussel substrate, but will support moderate growth. Overall, because of substrate limitations due to a lack of hard surfaces, moderate growth would be expected for most of the shoreline areas around Lake Minnetonka to water depths with oxygen greater than 3 mg/l which ranges out to water depths of 13 to 40 feet, depending on the bay. Due to excessive bluegreen growth in the water column, four bays would be expected to support only light growth of zebra mussels.
Date Issued
2010-08-09
Number of Pages
40
Decade
Body of Water
Rights Holder
Steve McComas
Blue Water Science
Dr. Udai Singh
Kelly Dooley
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
Rights Management
Do Not Have Copyright Permission