PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Zebra mussels were found at Onota Lake late last week and the city and state are preparing to look for more. They are also reminding people to be careful when going into the water.

Divers will be inspecting the water for more this week to gauge how infested the lake might be and the treatment process needed to stop the invasive mollusk from taking over. 

The city is asking for people to be mindful if they’re boating in Onota Lake to stop any spread.

“We continue to need folks to practice safe boating, so when they’re here at Onota Lake and when they’re leaving, we need everyone to understand that their boat is potentially infected with zebra mussels, and that they need to decontaminate their vessel before they go to any other water body,” the city's Park and Open Space Program Manager Jim McGrath said.

Zebra mussels can negatively impact the lake's ecosystem by filtering out algae needed for native species food and incapacitating native mussels.

The city has put more information about zebra mussels – and how to decontaminate your equipment – on its website.