You’ve seen the headlines. Zebra mussels have infested Lake Travis. But what does that really mean? What impact is that having on our beloved waterways?

Earlier this month, volunteers with the annual Lake Travis Cleanup got a glimpse into the extent of the problem. Each year, hundreds of people volunteer to clean up trash (both along the shore and under the water) left behind from the summer season.

This year, this is what they found.

photo courtesy of the State of Texas Alliance For Recycling (STAR)

Zebra mussels had attached themselves to many of the beer cans and bottles found in the lake, rendering them un-recyclable.

Wait. What are zebra mussels again? 

They’re the invasive creatures that were first confirmed in Lake Travis last summer (and have since spread to Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin as well).

Zebra mussels have spurred quite a bit of panic because of their tendency to litter beaches with treacherously sharp shells, clog public-water intakes, and damage boats and motors in other lakes in which they’ve been found. You can learn more about zebra mussels (as well as how to stop them from spreading) here>>