![Starry Stonewort Discovered in Mississippi River](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2018/08/starry-stonewort.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Starry Stonewort Discovered in Mississippi River
BELTRAMI COUNTY -- An aquatic invasive species has been discovered in a portion of the Mississippi River southeast of Bemidji.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed starry stonewort in a section of the river between Wolf Lake upstream and Cass Lake downstream. The stretch of the Mississippi River is within the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe boundaries and was found at a resort on the river.
Starry stonewort was discovered in Wolf Lake in 2018 and in Cass Lake in 2016.
![AM 1240 WJON logo](https://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/11/attachment-wjonam-alexacard-big.jpg?w=100)
This marks the 19th Minnesota water body to become infested with starry stonewort. It is algae that look similar to native aquatic plants and can form dense mats, interfere with the use of the lake and choke out native vegetation.
Starry stonewort has never been eradicated from any U.S. lake or river, but treatments can reduce the risk of spread.
RANKED: Here are the most popular national parks
LET'S GO: The most popular historic sites in America
LOOK: Things from the year you were born that don't exist anymore
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Starry Stonewort Discovered in a Wright County Lake](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/08/Starry-Stonewort.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Explore the Mississippi River in Minnesota This Summer](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2022/07/attachment-DSC06819.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Missing St. Cloud Kayaker Found Dead in Mississippi River](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/04/70240401_954648994892156_1160412640535642112_n-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Central Minnesotans Stand Up Proudly. Minnesota Nice at Its Finest!](http://townsquare.media/site/68/files/2022/08/attachment-Photo-by-Sandra-Dempsey-on-Unsplash-2-e1661799666274.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Butterflies Released in St. Cloud Amid Extinction Fears [PHOTOS]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2022/07/attachment-DSC02202.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Two Kayakers Rescued From Mississippi River in St. Cloud](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2019/07/Mississippi-River-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Not-So-Mighty Mississippi River in St. Cloud [PHOTOS]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/08/attachment-Mississippi-River-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![How Levels on Mississippi River Compare to Other Drought Years](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/07/attachment-Mississippi-River11.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Little Falls Dam Is Totally Different Now Compared to July 2020](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2021/07/attachment-Untitled-design-5.jpg?w=980&q=75)