Aquatic Invasive Spotlight:
Quagga Mussels in Torch Lake

Torch Lake is known for its incredible clarity and beauty—but beneath the surface, a tiny invasive species is quietly reshaping the ecosystem: the quagga mussel.

How Did Quagga Mussels Arrive in Torch Lake?

Quagga mussels are not native to Michigan. Originally from Eastern Europe, they were introduced to the Great Lakes in the late 1980s through ballast water discharged from transoceanic ships.

From there, they spread inland—most often by hitchhiking on recreational boats, trailers, and equipment. In the Elk River Chain of Lakes, including Torch Lake, microscopic larvae (called veligers) were unknowingly transported from lake to lake.

They were first identified in Torch Lake in 2015, and more recently confirmed in deeper waters—meaning they are now established in the lake system.

Photo: Michigan Sea Grant

What Are Quagga Mussels?

Quagga mussels are small, fingernail-sized mollusks that attach to hard and soft surfaces—including rocks, docks, boats, and even lake bottoms at great depths.

They are filter feeders, meaning each mussel pulls in water and removes tiny particles like plankton—filtering up to a liter of water per day.

While that might sound harmless (even beneficial), the impact is anything but.

The Impact on Torch Lake

Quagga mussels are often called “ecosystem engineers” because they fundamentally change how lakes function.

Here’s what they’re doing to Torch Lake and similar ecosystems:

• Stripping the Food Chain
  By removing plankton, they reduce the primary food source for native fish and aquatic life.
• Altering Water Clarity
  They make water appear clearer—but this “too clear” water is actually a sign that nutrients have been removed from the natural food web.
• Disrupting Nutrient Cycles
  Waste produced by mussels accumulates on the lake bottom, changing oxygen levels and chemistry.
• Changing Habitat & Plant Growth
  Increased light penetration can lead to excessive aquatic plant growth and shifts in species balance.
• Dominating the Lakebed
  In the Great Lakes, quagga mussels have reached densities of tens of thousands per square meter, dramatically altering ecosystems.

The result? A lake that may look pristine—but is experiencing major ecological changes below the surface.

What Can You Do to Help Protect Torch Lake?

The good news: you play a critical role in slowing the spread. Prevention is the most effective tool we have.

Follow the Clean, Drain, Dry Method:

• Clean all boats, trailers, and gear (remove plants, mud, and debris)
• Drain all water (live wells, bilge, ballast tanks)
• Dry equipment thoroughly before entering another body of water

*NEW to the Artisan Market this season will be chamois cleaning cloths. Help us to wipe out the aquatic invaders!

Other Ways to Help:

• Avoid transporting water or bait between lakes
• Inspect docks, lifts, and anchors before moving them
• Support local monitoring and conservation efforts
• Educate friends and visitors about invasive species
• Even microscopic larvae can start a new infestation—so every step matters.

Caring for Torch Lake—Together

Quagga mussels are a reminder that even the clearest waters need protection. While we cannot eliminate them, we can slow their spread and reduce future impacts through awareness and action.

Torch Lake’s future depends on all of us.

Care for Torch Lake. Protect what’s beneath the surface.

Learn More about this invasive and more by visiting our Waterpedia site.