Minnesota Volunteers Sampled Lakes for Zebra Mussel DNA

Citizens collected samples from 52 lakes this summer to help detect invasive zebra mussels via environmental DNA.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Environmental

Minnesota Volunteers Sampled Lakes for Zebra Mussel DNA

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Do you support citizen science projects to help monitor invasive species in your local lakes?

During summer 2026, volunteers collected environmental DNA samples from 52 Minnesota lakes to identify the presence of zebra mussels. Researchers at a St. Paul laboratory will analyze the samples to provide an early warning system for the invasive species.

Why it matters

Zebra mussels threaten local ecosystems by consuming essential plankton and clogging critical water infrastructure. Early detection through eDNA analysis allows lake managers to deploy targeted control measures before infestations spread.

Volunteers processed lake water through filters that are now undergoing analysis at a specialized St. Paul facility. Current testing methods confirm only the presence or absence of zebra mussel genetic material, not the scale of the infestation.

The players

University of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Center

This research institution develops scientific methods and diagnostic tools to track and manage aquatic threats to the states water systems.

The details

Volunteers used kits developed by the University of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Center to pump lake water through filter membranes, which were then sealed for processing. Researchers are now preparing to analyze these membranes to identify genetic signatures of zebra mussels, which currently impact a small fraction of the states thousands of bodies of water.

Volunteers collected environmental DNA samples from 52 Minnesota lakes during summer 2026.
Researchers will begin testing the collected water samples in October 2026.
Results from the laboratory analysis will be sent to volunteers and lake managers between December 2026 and January 2027.
The research center plans to provide updated eDNA test kits for additional lakes by summer 2027.

The Big Picture

The use of the University of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Center's eDNA monitoring program marks a significant shift toward citizen-science-led surveillance for aquatic threats. This approach expands the reach of traditional monitoring by enabling widespread sampling that would otherwise be labor-prohibitive for state agencies.

This project provides lake managers with the early-warning data necessary to protect local water infrastructure from costly zebra mussel damage. Residents may soon see more volunteer-led monitoring efforts as the university expands its testing kit distribution to more lakes by next summer.

The takeaway

Citizen-led environmental DNA collection represents a practical method for residents to contribute directly to the protection of their local water resources. By identifying infestations early, communities can avoid the significant economic and ecological costs associated with established zebra mussel populations.