COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s largest utility is reminding anyone with a boat to take steps to prevent the spread of invasive zebra mussels.

Nebraska Public Power District environmental specialist Justin King says zebra mussels can create major problems. For instance, boating has been shut down at Cunningham Lake in Omaha because of the mussels.

The small black-and-white striped mussels, native to eastern Europe, are voracious eaters, gobbling up plankton that many native freshwater fish need to survive.

The mussels can also attach themselves to dam and utility mechanisms, causing damage to motors and facilities.

Tips for preventing the spread of zebra mussels can be found at www.neinvasives.com .