By AP

VENTURA — Water district managers say an invasive and potentially destructive mussel appears to have spread to Lake Piru, marking its first appearance in Ventura County.

United Water Conservation District General Manager Michael Solomon tells the Ventura County Star on Monday that while he awaits official confirmation, all evidence shows that the quagga mussel is now in the lake that provides irrigation to major county farms and drinking water to parts of Oxnard.

Water agencies in California have worked to fight off the quagga mussel, a prolific breeder that can clog pipes and machinery.

Susan Ellis of the Department of Fish and Wildlife says the mussel has invaded 26 California lakes and rivers since 2007, but Lake Piru is a rare case because it’s not connected to the Colorado River.