Last year, adult zebra mussels were found in the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon. The unfortunate truth is that once these invasive nuisances are present, there’s no getting rid of them. The Colorado River is now considered infested from the confluence of the Eagle River down to the Colorado-Utah border. In addition to zebra mussels, New Zealand mud snails were also found in the Roaring Fork River for the first time ever.
Now that they are here, they are here to stay. But we want to, and can, prevent the spread of these Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS).
Be a Pain in the ANS!
With zebra mussels and New Zealand mud snails established in the Colorado River and Roaring Fork River, other nearby systems are at risk without the diligence of anglers and other recreational users. Simple actions like cleaning, draining, and drying your motorized and hand-launched vessels — including paddleboards and kayaks — and angling gear when you leave the water can make a big difference to protect Colorado’s water.
Be a pain in the ANS! Excuse me?
We’ll explain. Aquatic Nuisance Species are invasive plants, mussels, and other invertebrates that are a growing threat to the waterways within the Roaring Fork Watershed and throughout the state. We need YOUR help to be a pain in the ANS to protect the rivers, lakes, and streams we all love.
After you fish, boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard, CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY all your gear. Every time. Yes, really, every time. Many ANS are so small they cannot be seen with our eyes and can even survive in damp and moist environments. That’s precisely the time they are transported to a new waterway.
Find out more about the ANS species threatening Colorado, along with tips on how to clean, drain, and dry equipment, watercraft, trailers, and more by visiting Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s ANS webpage HERE.
Wader washing stations can be found at Frying Pan Anglers, Roaring Fork Conservancy, and Taylor Creek Fly Shop in Basalt. The Carbondale Boat Ramp has a boat cleaning station.
Gear washing stations throughout Colorado can be found using this CPW map.