Officials have finally confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in two more Minnesota lakes. Officials have added the Red river to the state's official list of waters infected with the aquatic invaders.

Officials in North Dakota last week announced that they found first zebra mussels in the Red River north of Wahpeton.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said in a statement that Clearwater Lake in Wright and Stearns counties, and Ruth Lake in Crow Wing County, probably became infested with the invasive mussel species because of people who move their contaminated boats and do not drain water from their boats.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said in a statement released on Friday that the dreaded zebra mussels have been confirmed in two central Minnesota lakes including the Red River.

According to the release, Ruth Lake in Crow Wing County and Clearwater Lake in Wright and Stearns counties were likely infested by humans transporting the aquatic invasive species from an infected lake.

On the other hand, DNR said that the infestation of the Red River is not at all surprising to them. Earlier in 2012, zebra mussels were found in a Red River tributary, the Otter Tail River as well.

Ruth and Clearwater were the fourth and fifth new lakes confirmed to have zebra mussels this year, as per the release. DNR stated that 95 % of Minnesota lakes are not infested with any aquatic invasive species.

DNR affirmed that as more lakes in Minnesota are becoming infested with the invasive mussel species, therefore even a small percentage of people not following the laws can result in further overland spread of these species.