Two new predators to worry about:

Zebra Mussels – Dreissen polymorpha originated in the Balkans, Poland, and areas within the former Soviet Union. The species was accidentally introduced into the Great Lakes in 1988 via the ballast water of ships. By 1990, it had spread to all the Great Lakes. In 1991, zebra mussels escaped the Great Lakes Basin and found their way into the Illinois River, giving them access to the entire Mississippi River Basin. As of 2002, they had expanded further, into 23 states.

Quagga Mussel – Dreissena bugensis looks much like the now-infamous zebra mussel, and lives in many of the same habitats. The quagga mussel could potentially cause more economic and ecological damage than the zebra mussel. Scientists studying Lake Erie in 2002 found that the quagga outnumbered the zebra mussel 10-to-1 in some areas.

The damage – local species are are affected and the mussels can infest infrastructure in or near lakes – like water treatment plants.