Lake Pueblo launches boat inspections for zebra mussels

The Pueblo West View

Boaters at Lake Pueblo State Park since last week are required to unload and load at the boat ramps, where they will be greeted by rangers 24 hours a day, seven days a week to implement a new date/time stamp program.

Park staff also will provide information about zebra mussels, conduct inspections and decontaminate boats as necessary.

Shoreline unloading and loading of personal watercraft, hand-carried vessels, and belly boats will be permitted. New signage at the shoreline accesses and roving park rangers will help educate boaters and fishermen on how to prevent the spread of zebra mussels.

Following are the new containment procedures:

• Before unloading at the ramps, boaters will receive a date/time stamp card from a ranger who will document the unloading date and time on the card.
• Upon return to the boat ramp, boaters will be required to then present their date/time stamp card to a ranger before leaving.
• Any boater whose boat has been on the water less than 24 hours will be required to pull all drain plugs and/or drain as much water as possible from the motor, ballast, live well, bilge, transom wells, etc.
• After draining, boaters will be advised to clean and completely dry their boat before launching into other waters and then permitted to leave the boat ramp.
• Any boater who has lost the date/time stamp card or has been on the water for 24 hours or longer will be required to have their boat inspected.
• If no zebra mussels are found attached to the boat, boaters will be advised to drain, clean and completely dry their boat before launching into other waters and then permitted to leave the boat ramp. The inspection process should last no longer than five minutes.
• If zebra mussels are found attached to the boat, boaters will be directed to a designated wash area where park staff will decontaminate the boat using a high-pressure hot water sprayer before leaving the park. The decontamination time will vary depending on the extent of infestation on the boat.

The discovery of zebra mussels at Lake Pueblo in January prompted state parks officials to increase efforts to protect the lake from the zebra mussel and other non-native, invasive species. Since the discovery, officials have been working on containment measures to reduce the risk of spreading this aquatic invader to other waters. The primary way these mussels are spread is through trailered boats. The adult mussels attach to boats, aquatic plants carried by boats, bait buckets and other water recreation equipment. Microscopic larvae are transported in water held in the live well, bilge, engine cooling system, bait buckets, and ballast tanks. Once the boat is transported to another body of water, the adult mussels can migrate off the boat or larvae can be deposited into the new water. Boaters can help prevent the spread of AIS by following these simple steps. Before leaving any body of water, boaters should: á Drain: Eliminate all water before leaving the area, including wells, bilge, ballast, engine cooling system and any other areas of your boat and equipment before leaving the area.

• Clean: Remove all plants, animals, mud, and thoroughly wash everything coming into contact with the water.

• DRY: Allow everything to completely dry before launching into another body of water.

For more information on how to prevent the spread of zebra mussels and other AIS, please visit www.100thmeridian.org or www.protectyourwaters.net. Attracting more than 11 million visitors per year, Colorado's 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone in Colorado's economy and quality of life, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado State Parks manages more than 4,000 campsites, 57 cabins and yurts, encompassing 246,000 land and water acres. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.

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