Zebra Mussels Infested Lake Fort Phantom Hill

Biologists confirmed the invasive species in the lake that serves as a major water source for Abilene residents.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Aquariums

Screen-print poster illustration showing a cluster of sharp-edged zebra mussels attached to a submerged test plate in a lake. — Biologists have confirmed that Lake Fort Phantom Hill, a major water source for Abilene, Texas, is now officially infested with invasive zebra mussels. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Following the discovery of larvae and adult zebra mussels in the summer of 2025, Lake Fort Phantom Hill is now officially classified as infested. These invasive organisms were found at six separate sampling locations across the water body.

Why it matters

The infestation of this lake is a significant concern for Abilene, which relies on the reservoir for a substantial portion of its drinking water supply. Zebra mussels can clog essential infrastructure, leading to increased maintenance costs that are expected to be passed on to local water customers.

A single adult zebra mussel can produce up to one million larvae, contributing to the rapid spread of the species. Currently, Lake Fort Phantom Hill provides between one-fourth and two-thirds of the total drinking water for the city of Abilene.

The players

City of Abilene

The local government authority responsible for managing water infrastructure and utility services for the city residents.

The details

Crews continue to monitor the situation by checking test plates submerged near intake pipes on a monthly basis to assess the population density. While adult mussels were located during an eight-hour search, the city of Abilene has not yet detected any mussels within its internal water delivery infrastructure.

Zebra mussels first entered the United States during the 1980s via the Great Lakes.
The first confirmed discovery of zebra mussels at Lake Fort Phantom Hill occurred in the summer of 2025.
Biologists found larvae at six sampling locations in the lake during the spring of 2026.

Roadmap

The spread of invasive species often follows historical patterns of recreational boat movement, which remains the primary vector for transmission between reservoirs. This latest infestation confirms the ongoing challenge of managing biological threats across the state’s interconnected water systems.

Residents should remain aware that increased costs for water infrastructure maintenance and cleaning will likely be passed on to customers in the future. To prevent further spread to other local lakes, boaters must adhere to the clean, drain, and dry protocol every time they transport their vessels.

The takeaway

Zebra mussels represent a permanent shift in the management of regional water resources that requires constant vigilance from the public. Adopting proactive boat-cleaning habits is the only way to mitigate the further spread of these organisms into non-infested water bodies.