Good morning!
I’m Lacy McKay.
and it’s Water Wednesdays on KSJD’s Outdoor Report.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has resumed its aquatic nuisance species sampling efforts along the Colorado River, focusing on detecting invasive zebra mussels, which can cause severe ecological and infrastructure damage by clogging pipes and disrupting water systems.
Weekly sampling between Glenwood Springs and the Colorado/Utah border includes plankton tows to identify mussel veligers and shoreline inspections to locate potential adult mussels.
This increased sampling follows the discovery of zebra mussel veligers in the river last July, prompting heightened monitoring efforts in coordination with federal and local partners.
CPW staff will also ramp up public education at boat launches, emphasizing the importance of cleaning, draining, and drying all watercraft and gear to prevent the spread of invasive species.
CPW Invasive Species Program Manager Robert Walters says that even hand-launched vessels like kayaks can carry invasive species from one body of water to another, so everyone has a role in preventing further spread.
That’s the KSJD Outdoor Report for today.
For more information on how to protect Colorado’s waters and to see a map of cleaning stations, visit CPW’s website. Happy boating and floating out there.
