07-21-2008, 01:49 PM
[size 1]This is a big blow for the upper Colorado River drainage and Northeastern Colorado. Water is pumped from Lake Granby to several reservoirs on on the west side of the Continental Divide and even to irrigated lands on the east side of the Divide, eventually entering the South Platte River. Read the following article for more info on the most recent mussel invasion.
MONITORING FINDS QUAGGA MUSSELS IN LAKE GRANBY
A State and Federal initiative to gather more information on the
presence of invasive mussels in Colorado confirmed the detection of
quagga mussel larvae in Lake Granby in July. Quagga mussels are very
similar to the zebra mussels that were found last fall in Pueblo
Reservoir.
Veligers, the larval stage of the quagga mussel, were initially
identified by a microscopic analysis of water samples and subsequently
confirmed by DNA testing. An additional independent lab confirmed the
presence of quagga mussel DNA in the samples.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S.
Forest Service, and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District are
cooperating with partners on the development of an appropriate plan for
each of the Colorado-Big Thompson reservoirs.
Public awareness and participation is the best weapon in the containment
of invasive species. Invasive mussels endanger water quality, and
fisheries. Boaters at Lake Granby are reminded to take the simple
precaution of making sure that they Clean, Drain, and Dry their boat
when they leave the lake.
Quagga and zebra mussels spread from Eurasia to the Northeast and Great
Lakes in contaminated ballast water of boats, on anchors and anchor
lines. They quickly spread to the Mississippi River, its tributaries
and inland lakes and have now established a presence in the Western
States.
Quagga and zebra mussels are small barnacle-like mollusks with dark and
light colored stripes. They smother aquatic organisms, such as crayfish
and native clams and out compete for food and aquatic habitat. They
damage equipment by attaching to boat motors or hard surfaces and clog
water treatment facilities.
Boaters should be prepared to have their boats inspected prior to
launching at some of the reservoirs they are visiting. It is always a
good idea to check with the managing entity at the reservoir you would
like to visit to see what their boating regulations are and receive
updates on local conditions.
For more information about zebra and quagga mussels visit
[/size][#0000ff][size 1]www.wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/InvasiveSpecies/Zebraa[/size][/#0000ff][size 1]
ndQuaggaMussels.htm
[/size]
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MONITORING FINDS QUAGGA MUSSELS IN LAKE GRANBY
A State and Federal initiative to gather more information on the
presence of invasive mussels in Colorado confirmed the detection of
quagga mussel larvae in Lake Granby in July. Quagga mussels are very
similar to the zebra mussels that were found last fall in Pueblo
Reservoir.
Veligers, the larval stage of the quagga mussel, were initially
identified by a microscopic analysis of water samples and subsequently
confirmed by DNA testing. An additional independent lab confirmed the
presence of quagga mussel DNA in the samples.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S.
Forest Service, and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District are
cooperating with partners on the development of an appropriate plan for
each of the Colorado-Big Thompson reservoirs.
Public awareness and participation is the best weapon in the containment
of invasive species. Invasive mussels endanger water quality, and
fisheries. Boaters at Lake Granby are reminded to take the simple
precaution of making sure that they Clean, Drain, and Dry their boat
when they leave the lake.
Quagga and zebra mussels spread from Eurasia to the Northeast and Great
Lakes in contaminated ballast water of boats, on anchors and anchor
lines. They quickly spread to the Mississippi River, its tributaries
and inland lakes and have now established a presence in the Western
States.
Quagga and zebra mussels are small barnacle-like mollusks with dark and
light colored stripes. They smother aquatic organisms, such as crayfish
and native clams and out compete for food and aquatic habitat. They
damage equipment by attaching to boat motors or hard surfaces and clog
water treatment facilities.
Boaters should be prepared to have their boats inspected prior to
launching at some of the reservoirs they are visiting. It is always a
good idea to check with the managing entity at the reservoir you would
like to visit to see what their boating regulations are and receive
updates on local conditions.
For more information about zebra and quagga mussels visit
[/size][#0000ff][size 1]www.wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/InvasiveSpecies/Zebraa[/size][/#0000ff][size 1]
ndQuaggaMussels.htm
[/size]
[signature]