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| 5/29/2010 6:00:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | DOW inspects boats for invasive aquatic species
To prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species, especially quagga and zebra mussels, the Colorado Division of Wildlife and other state and federal agencies have started boat inspections at reservoirs in Colorado for the 2010 boating season.
In Southwest Colorado, all boats launched from trailers will be inspected at the following reservoirs: McPhee and Jackson Gulch reservoirs in Montezuma County, Taylor and Blue Mesa reservoirs in Gunnison County, Sanchez Reservoir in Costilla County, Vallecito Reservoir in La Plata County and Navajo Reservoir in Archuleta County.
Sanchez Reservoir is also closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Boats can only be launched at the boat ramp. The reservoir will be closed to boating completely for the winter starting in October.
Boats must be inspected every time they enter the water, according to a statement from the division of wildlife. Depending on the reservoir, inspections will be conducted by division of wildlife, Colorado State Parks or National Park Service personnel. The division of wildlife has coordinated inspection training with the other agencies.
Inspections usually take fewer than 10 minutes. The inspections can go even faster if boaters follow this simple motto: "Clean, drain and dry."
Mussels can only survive in a wet environment, so clean all mud off your boat and trailer. Don't leave water in the bottom of your boat, drain all live wells and drain the bilge.
Mussels have caused major environmental and infrastructure damage to the Great Lakes and other waters in the Midwest, according to the division of wildlife. By consuming phytoplankton in the water, these tiny aquatic invertebrates can destroy the food supply for fish. They also clog infrastructure of water systems.
"Invasive mussels could cause billions of dollars in damage to Colorado fisheries and water systems," John Alves, senior aquatic biologist for the division of wildlife's southwest region, said in the agency's statement. "Mussels can be spread as boats move around from one area of the country to another. Boat inspections are in everyone's best interest."
Inspection times vary from reservoir to reservoir, but generally inspectors will be at boat ramps from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day until October.
For a complete list of all the mandatory inspection sites and schedules in Colorado, or for more information aquatic nuisance species and the boat inspection program, go to wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/MandatoryBoatInspections.htm.
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