The temporary closure of Antero Reservoir to all watercraft signals a statewide campaign to contain an invasive species that poses a serious threat to Colorado’s aquatic resource.
Denver Water’s announced closure, just as the Park County impoundment broke free of ice following a difficult winter, serves as one of the most dramatic developments in a series of actions that involve at least nine of the state’s most popular recreational waters.
Some form of inspection or restriction also will be in force at four other Denver Water facilities — Eleven Mile, Dillon, Gross and Williams Fork — as well as at Pueblo, Spinney Mountain, Aurora and Quincy. Others could join the list soon.
The Antero watercraft closure will be in effect until Denver Water works out an inspection procedure with the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Anglers will be able to continue fishing from shore.
“We’re taking it pretty seriously and I think everyone in Colorado should be taking it seriously, particularly boaters and anglers,” said Neil Sperandeo, director of recreation for Denver Water. “We’re doing this to protect our facilities as well as the fish resource. The angling community should be glad we’re doing this.”
Antero came free of ice late last week, revealing an anticipated widespread kill of trout. A zebra mussel infestation first became a weighty issue in the upper Midwest; more recently it spread to Kansas and Oklahoma and impoundments on the lower Colorado River — places often visited by peripatetic Colorado boaters.
The organism was discovered a short time ago at Pueblo Reservoir, causing alarm among those who manage fish and water resources. Colorado State Parks has initiated a containment plan at Pueblo whereby all watercraft using the lake for at least 24 hours must be thoroughly inspected before leaving. Pueblo is the only Colorado water where zebra mussels have been detected.
Zebras, along with a close cousin, the quagga mussel, can clog pipes, valves and boat engines while coating any water-related structure. Damages runs into the millions where they have taken hold.
In the process of filtering many gallons of water, mussels remove food organisms that nurture small fish and other aquatic creatures.
The microscopic larval form is almost impossible to detect, causing inspection to center on any water that might be collected by watercraft.
“People need to get in the habit of draining their bilges and live wells and keeping them clean and dry,” DOW aquatic chief Greg Gerlich said. “If these elements are in place, then processing through inspection will take place rather quickly.”
Gerlich emphasized the varying levels of risk associated with different kinds and sizes of watercraft: “Obviously larger boats pose a bigger problem than canoes or belly boats.”
Extensive information on zebra mussels is available online at .
Meanwhile, the Colorado Senate Appropriations Committee continues to debate SB226, a measure than in its original form would provide $7.5 million to the Department of Natural Resources to combat aquatic nuisance species.
Here is the current situation at several Colorado reservoirs:
Antero: Closed to all watercraft pending completion of a boat inspection plan.
Aurora: Inspection is in place; boats that have visited places with mussels will be refused.
Dillon: Inspection will be implemented by marina operators.
Eleven Mile: A Monday meeting with Colorado State Parks will determine an inspection plan. Meanwhile, the reservoir is 60 percent ice covered and closed to boating.
Gross: Inspection will be conducted by Denver Water’s own rangers.
Pueblo: An extensive containment inspection is being conducted by state parks rangers on boats leaving the reservoir.
Quincy: Inspection is in place; boats that have visited places with mussels will be refused.
Spinney: Colorado State Parks inspects all craft entering the Aurora Water facility.
Williams Fork: An inspection plan is being formulated; the impoundment remains ice covered.
Charlie Meyers: 303-954-1609 or cmeyers@denverpost.com
