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Parks and Wildlife finds more evidence of invasive zebra mussels in Colorado River

Parks and wildlife is urging anyone who is boating, floating, paddling or fishing in the Colorado River to clean, drain and dry their equipment to prevent the mussels from spreading

More evidence of invasive zebra mussels has been found in the Colorado River near Grand Junction.
Andrea Teres-Martinez/Post Independent

About a week after Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced initial evidence of invasive zebra mussels in the Colorado River near Grand Junction, the agency has confirmed more signs.

The species, which is known for its rapid reproduction rate, poses an “extreme risk” to Colorado’s ecology, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 

“The establishment of zebra mussels in the Colorado River is likely to negatively impact native fish populations due to their filter-feeding strategies that strip essential prey items, such as plankton, from the water,” according to a news release from the agency. 



As they reproduce, the mussels could also clog infrastructure used to pull water from the Colorado River. 

Last week, Parks and Wildlife announced a section of the Colorado River and the Government Highline Canal were considered “suspect” for the presence of zebra mussels. 

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Parks and Wildlife then deployed their Invasive Species Rapid Response Plan, which includes taking additional samples from the area, including from Glenwood Springs to the Utah border and within the Government Highline Canal, which is northeast of Grand Junction. 

After these latest tests, the area is considered “positive” for the species, according to a Friday news release from the agency. 

One additional zebra mussel veliger was found in the Government Highline Canal and two more were discovered in the Colorado River at two separate locations between De Beque and Grand Junction. 

No adult zebra mussels have been found at either location, only “veligers” which are the free-floating larval stage of the mussel. The veligers can only be seen with a microscope. 

Parks and wildlife will partner with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to continue sampling in the areas with the goal of finding the source of the veligers.

Slower-moving sections of the Colorado River like pools, eddies and backwaters are especially vulnerable to the species, Parks and Wildlife said. 

Parks and wildlife is urging anyone who is boating, floating, paddling, or fishing in the Colorado River to clean, drain and dry their equipment to prevent the mussels from spreading. That includes motorized boats, rafts, paddle boards, kayaks and fishing gear.

Zebra mussels were first detected in the state about two years ago at Highline Lake near Fruita. To stop their spread, Parks and Wildlife planned to use EarthTecQZ, a copper-based molluscicide, to treat the water and are now slowly draining the lake.


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