04-23-2011, 11:10 AM
MONTE VISTA, Colo. -- The Colorado Division of Wildlife is reminding boaters that boats cannot be launched at Sanchez Reservoir until May 2, when mandatory inspections for quagga and zebra mussels begin. The inspections, conducted by the Division of Wildlife, will continue through Oct. 15.
Some boaters are ignoring the watercraft closures at the reservoir, said Josh Nehring, aquatic biologist in the San Luis Valley. The reservoir is located in Costilla County.
"We can't risk having mussels introduced to Sanchez Reservoir," Nehring said. "We've had good cooperation during the last couple of years and it's important that it continue."
Mussels have caused major environmental and infrastructure damage to the Great Lakes and other waters in the Midwest. By consuming phytoplankton in the water, these tiny aquatic invertebrates can destroy the food supply for fish. They also clog the infrastructure of water systems.
Boats must be inspected every time they enter the water. The inspection is conducted at no charge and typically takes less than five minutes.
Mussels can only survive in a wet environment. That's why the Division of Wildlife urges boaters to "clean, drain and dry" their watercraft every time it comes out of the water: clean all mud off boats and trailers, drain water from the bottom of the boat, and drain and dry all live wells and bilge.
Inspectors will be at the boat ramp at Sanchez Reservoir from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Boats can't be launched after inspectors leave for the day.
Mandatory inspections also take place at waters throughout Colorado. For a list of all inspection sites and schedules, and for more information about boat inspections and aquatic nuisance species, go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/Mand...ctions.htm.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
Some boaters are ignoring the watercraft closures at the reservoir, said Josh Nehring, aquatic biologist in the San Luis Valley. The reservoir is located in Costilla County.
"We can't risk having mussels introduced to Sanchez Reservoir," Nehring said. "We've had good cooperation during the last couple of years and it's important that it continue."
Mussels have caused major environmental and infrastructure damage to the Great Lakes and other waters in the Midwest. By consuming phytoplankton in the water, these tiny aquatic invertebrates can destroy the food supply for fish. They also clog the infrastructure of water systems.
Boats must be inspected every time they enter the water. The inspection is conducted at no charge and typically takes less than five minutes.
Mussels can only survive in a wet environment. That's why the Division of Wildlife urges boaters to "clean, drain and dry" their watercraft every time it comes out of the water: clean all mud off boats and trailers, drain water from the bottom of the boat, and drain and dry all live wells and bilge.
Inspectors will be at the boat ramp at Sanchez Reservoir from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Boats can't be launched after inspectors leave for the day.
Mandatory inspections also take place at waters throughout Colorado. For a list of all inspection sites and schedules, and for more information about boat inspections and aquatic nuisance species, go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/Mand...ctions.htm.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.