Boats from mussel infested waters threaten

The aggressive aquatic nuisance species inspection program operated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife has been successful in keeping quagga and zebra mussels out of the state. Waters in several surrounding states, however, are infested with mussels, and that is a serious problem for Colorado.

This year, boats brought into Colorado from Arizona, Kentucky, Kansas, Minnesota, Texas and Utah have been found to be infested with mussels. Boaters are warned that it is against the law to enter Colorado with a boat that holds any aquatic nuisance species. Boats must be cleaned, drained, dried and completely free of aquatic nuisance species before entering the state.

State law requires all boats coming in from out of state to be inspected prior to launching in a Colorado lake or reservoir and prohibits the possession of aquatic nuisance species such as zebra or quagga mussels. Owners can be fined and their watercraft impounded if they bring an infested boat into the state.

Mussels can survive for months in wet environments in a boat, including in and on wells, bilges, equipment lockers, anchors, engines and any type of boating equipment.
 

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