Zebra mussel DNA detected in Colorado River near Moab

Wildlife managers in the Colorado River basin are monitoring the potential spread of invasive zebra mussels. In Utah, the Division of Wildlife Resources reported finding fragments of zebra mussel DNA in a stretch of the Colorado River near Moab. While the presence of DNA indicates the species may be upstream, officials noted it does not confirm that living mussels are currently in the tested area.

In Colorado, Parks and Wildlife reported that weekly summer sampling has yielded no new discoveries of the species so far in 2026. However, officials cautioned that the absence of detections in moving water does not guarantee the mussels are gone, as locating microscopic larvae, or veligers, in a flowing river is highly dependent on timing and location.

Zebra mussels pose a significant threat to ecosystems and infrastructure. They can clog water pipes, damage docks, and cover surfaces with sharp shells. A single mussel can produce up to one million larvae in a year. Authorities are urging boaters, rafters, and paddlers to clean, drain, and dry all watercraft when moving between different bodies of water to prevent further spread.