Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record: Monroe/MI/Lake Erie (1988, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Program 2008)
Geographic Extent
Monroe/MI/Lake Erie (1988, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Program 2008)
Vectors
| Level | Vector |
|---|---|
| Alternate | Ballast Water |
Regional Impacts
| Economic Impact | Industry | |
| Zebra Mussels caused extensive fouling of the Detroit Edison's Monroe, MI coal-fired power plant at the western end of Lake Erie. Mussels covered the intake surfaces, blocked the trash bars, and fouled the condenser tubes. The fouled parts of the plant were cleaned with high-pressure water at a cost of $25,000-35,000 for each cleaning. Sevice water lines for fire protection systems were also fouled, and cleared with chlorination, but regular use is limited by environmental concerns (Kovalak et al. 1993). | ||
| Economic Impact | Health | |
| Fouling by Zebra Mussels in the intakes of the Monroe MI public water-filtration plant reduced the supply of raw water by 20% by the summer of 1989. Several outages and water emergencies in the city of Monroe occurred. Mechanical cleaning and chlorination was required to clear the pipes and maintain water flow. Estimated costs for this episode of fouling were $300,000 (LePage 1993). | ||