New testing has Utah worried about zebra mussel spread in the Colorado River

Utah wildlife managers say fragments of invasive zebra mussel DNA have been found in a stretch of the Colorado River near Moab.

By: Annie Knox

Outlets: Utah News Dispatch

Published: August 26, 2026

Words: 398

Last Updated: 19 hours, 5 minutes ago

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In an unfortunate first, state wildlife managers say fragments of invasive zebra mussel DNA have been found in a stretch of the Colorado River near Moab.

The discovery is concerning because the tiny striped mussels pose an outsized threat to rivers and lakes, clogging pipes, covering beaches with razor-sharp shells and damaging ecosystems. The Division of Wildlife Resources wants Utahns and visitors to take extra care not to spread them this year …

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