The quagga mussel from the Black Sea has colonised the lakes of Europe at a blistering speed, threatening ecosystems and infrastructure. It was observed in Lake Geneva in 2015 and in Lake Constance the following year, although it had probably already been present there for some time. Since then, it has colonised these two great lakes and covered the large part of their beds. There are more than 3,000 mussels per square metre on average throughout Lake Constance, with the density ten times higher at low depths.

As part of its research into the quagga mussel, Eawag’s scientific diving team regularly carries out dives in the affected lakes. The research magazine Horizon accompanied this team on an expedition into the depths of Lake Constance.

Read the article here: https://www.horizons-mag.ch/2026/09/03/in-the-kingdom-of-quaggas/