CPW provides an update on the discovery of zebra mussel veligers in the Colorado River and Government Highline Canal
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) announces additional zebra mussel veligers found in the Colorado River and Government Highline Canal after increased testing. With these additional detections, both the Highline Government Canal and the Colorado River meet the criteria for being considered "positive" for zebra mussels.
After the discovery of zebra mussels in the Government Highline Canal and Colorado River, CPW initiated an Invasive Species Rapid Response Plan and increased sampling efforts in the Colorado River from Glenwood Springs down to the Colorado/Utah border and within the Highline Government Canal.
Through these sampling efforts, one additional zebra mussel veliger was discovered and confirmed in the Government Highline Canal and two additional veligers were discovered and confirmed in the Colorado River at two separate locations between Deb Beque and Grand Junction. There have been no veligers found upstream of the Beavertail Mountain Tunnel in the De Beque Canyon nor have any adult mussels been found in the Colorado River or the Government Highline Canal.
"These results will help guide us on the next steps as we continue working closely with our partners to work on a plan to protect our natural resources and infrastructure crucial to the Grand Valley, including our goal of locating the source," said CPW Director Jeff Davis.
CPW Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) and Northwest Region aquatics staff, along with our partners at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Upper Colorado Native Fish Recovery Program and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will continue sampling efforts in the Colorado River and Grand Valley canal systems over the next several weeks. The goal of these efforts is to locate the source of the zebra mussel veligers.
In addition to sampling, CPW continues the increased education efforts on the Colorado River, including voluntary watercraft inspections. From Friday, July, 19 through Sunday, July 21, CPW worked with our local government and the BLM partners to post signage and conduct education outreach at multiple water access points from the De Beque boat ramp to the Westwater boat ramp in Utah. During this three-day operation, ANS and Grand Junction area parks and wildlife staff talked to close to 600 people regarding the importance of cleaning, draining, and drying their watercraft and equipment.
CPW is continuing to evaluate options for the future management of Highline Lake based on this new information. Updates regarding access, fishing regulations, and water management will be provided once those decisions have been made.
Photo: CPW
After the discovery of zebra mussels in the Government Highline Canal and Colorado River, CPW initiated an Invasive Species Rapid Response Plan and increased sampling efforts in the Colorado River from Glenwood Springs down to the Colorado/Utah border and within the Highline Government Canal.
Through these sampling efforts, one additional zebra mussel veliger was discovered and confirmed in the Government Highline Canal and two additional veligers were discovered and confirmed in the Colorado River at two separate locations between Deb Beque and Grand Junction. There have been no veligers found upstream of the Beavertail Mountain Tunnel in the De Beque Canyon nor have any adult mussels been found in the Colorado River or the Government Highline Canal.
"These results will help guide us on the next steps as we continue working closely with our partners to work on a plan to protect our natural resources and infrastructure crucial to the Grand Valley, including our goal of locating the source," said CPW Director Jeff Davis.
CPW Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) and Northwest Region aquatics staff, along with our partners at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Upper Colorado Native Fish Recovery Program and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will continue sampling efforts in the Colorado River and Grand Valley canal systems over the next several weeks. The goal of these efforts is to locate the source of the zebra mussel veligers.
In addition to sampling, CPW continues the increased education efforts on the Colorado River, including voluntary watercraft inspections. From Friday, July, 19 through Sunday, July 21, CPW worked with our local government and the BLM partners to post signage and conduct education outreach at multiple water access points from the De Beque boat ramp to the Westwater boat ramp in Utah. During this three-day operation, ANS and Grand Junction area parks and wildlife staff talked to close to 600 people regarding the importance of cleaning, draining, and drying their watercraft and equipment.
CPW is continuing to evaluate options for the future management of Highline Lake based on this new information. Updates regarding access, fishing regulations, and water management will be provided once those decisions have been made.
Photo: CPW
