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The Aurora Water Board (AWB) recently considered closing off Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake to boating, due to concerns about the spread of zebra and quagga mussels. Boats are the most common vehicle for the mussels to travel on.
Concerned with the spread of non-native mussels, the Aurora Water Board (AWB) recently considered closing off Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake- without notifying the Lake County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) about its plans, leading to somewhat of a showdown between Aurora and the BOCC.
On Aug. 13, the Aurora Water Board held a meeting with the United States Forest Service (USFS) to discuss the possible closure of both Twin and Turquoise Lakes to all boating, in order to prevent zebra and quagga mussels, both non-native invasive aquatic species, from being introduced to the reservoirs by boats coming from other areas. However, the BOCC were not notified of or invited to the meeting.
When USFS officials notified the BOCC days beforehand, the commissioners became concerned.
“We decided to invite ourselves,” said Commissioner Ken Olsen, who attended the meeting in Pueblo to represent the BOCC.
The AWB was considering the closures as a surefire way to protect Lake County from an infestation of the mussels in its reservoirs, which would prove disastrous to both the immediate area and all connecting waterways. Lake County is a major factor in the fight to control the spread, because it lies at the top of the watershed. The mussels, which reportedly travel downstream, would be disastrous if they were to penetrate Lake County waterways and gain access to everything downstream, according to Bob Leaverton of the USFS.
“The USFS is not entirely comfortable with the role of taking this on,” said Jon Morrissey, also of the USFS, before the initial meeting.
A second, more inclusive meeting was held on Aug. 20, as a result of the BOCC's concern and the USFS' discomfort at being the only involved Lake County entity. At the second meeting, representatives from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) established that the DOW will take the lead, but many other agencies and local municipalities will work together in a coordinated effort with the larger, statewide effort.
The DOW released a Public Information Outreach Plan and is currently monitoring 150 reservoirs across the state.
The final decision was to leave Lake County reservoirs open for the remainder of the season, a “complete reversal of Aurora's position last week,” according to Olsen.
“Closing Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake at this time doesn't make much sense.
There is not much boating left, so the risk is relatively small,” said Gerry Knapp of AWB.
Instead, the group is focusing on how to inform boaters of the issue by installing signage at all reservoirs and placing volunteer DOW rangers at strategic locations to offer inspections and information to visitors.
A more large-scale operation is in the works for next year and may include boat inspections, increased signage and possibly even closures.
The United States Coast Guard has estimated that zebra and quagga mussels cost the U.S. around $5 billion a year in economic losses and control efforts, as the mussels block pipelines, clog municipal water supplies, and hydroelectric companies. The greatest problem, according to the DOW, is the infiltration into water treatment plants.
Boats, especially larger, more complex types, are the most common vehicle for the mussels to travel on. The mussels form in dense clusters, attach to any hard surfaces-even other, native mussels, and survive for days out of water, in a humid environment. Live wells, bait buckets and bilges can hold the mussels for long periods of time. When boats are not cleaned, rinsed and dried out properly between traveling to different bodies of water, it is easy for the mussels and their larvae to survive and be transported elsewhere.
The mussels originated in Eastern Europe, and were transported by large vessels through the St. Lawrence Seaway to the Great Lakes, where they were first observed in 1988.
They have recently been found been found in Kansas, California and Colorado. Within the state, they have been found in Lake Granby and Pueblo Reservoir.
Because there are no predators significant enough to reduce the mussel populations once they establish themselves, scientists believe that a spread to any waterways will likely result in the mussels permanently establishing themselves there.
Kay Doan is the reporter for the Leadville Chronicle. She may be reached at kdoan@leadvillechronicle.com.
On Aug. 13, the Aurora Water Board held a meeting with the United States Forest Service (USFS) to discuss the possible closure of both Twin and Turquoise Lakes to all boating, in order to prevent zebra and quagga mussels, both non-native invasive aquatic species, from being introduced to the reservoirs by boats coming from other areas. However, the BOCC were not notified of or invited to the meeting.
When USFS officials notified the BOCC days beforehand, the commissioners became concerned.
“We decided to invite ourselves,” said Commissioner Ken Olsen, who attended the meeting in Pueblo to represent the BOCC.
The AWB was considering the closures as a surefire way to protect Lake County from an infestation of the mussels in its reservoirs, which would prove disastrous to both the immediate area and all connecting waterways. Lake County is a major factor in the fight to control the spread, because it lies at the top of the watershed. The mussels, which reportedly travel downstream, would be disastrous if they were to penetrate Lake County waterways and gain access to everything downstream, according to Bob Leaverton of the USFS.
“The USFS is not entirely comfortable with the role of taking this on,” said Jon Morrissey, also of the USFS, before the initial meeting.
A second, more inclusive meeting was held on Aug. 20, as a result of the BOCC's concern and the USFS' discomfort at being the only involved Lake County entity. At the second meeting, representatives from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) established that the DOW will take the lead, but many other agencies and local municipalities will work together in a coordinated effort with the larger, statewide effort.
The DOW released a Public Information Outreach Plan and is currently monitoring 150 reservoirs across the state.
The final decision was to leave Lake County reservoirs open for the remainder of the season, a “complete reversal of Aurora's position last week,” according to Olsen.
“Closing Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake at this time doesn't make much sense.
There is not much boating left, so the risk is relatively small,” said Gerry Knapp of AWB.
Instead, the group is focusing on how to inform boaters of the issue by installing signage at all reservoirs and placing volunteer DOW rangers at strategic locations to offer inspections and information to visitors.
A more large-scale operation is in the works for next year and may include boat inspections, increased signage and possibly even closures.
The United States Coast Guard has estimated that zebra and quagga mussels cost the U.S. around $5 billion a year in economic losses and control efforts, as the mussels block pipelines, clog municipal water supplies, and hydroelectric companies. The greatest problem, according to the DOW, is the infiltration into water treatment plants.
Boats, especially larger, more complex types, are the most common vehicle for the mussels to travel on. The mussels form in dense clusters, attach to any hard surfaces-even other, native mussels, and survive for days out of water, in a humid environment. Live wells, bait buckets and bilges can hold the mussels for long periods of time. When boats are not cleaned, rinsed and dried out properly between traveling to different bodies of water, it is easy for the mussels and their larvae to survive and be transported elsewhere.
The mussels originated in Eastern Europe, and were transported by large vessels through the St. Lawrence Seaway to the Great Lakes, where they were first observed in 1988.
They have recently been found been found in Kansas, California and Colorado. Within the state, they have been found in Lake Granby and Pueblo Reservoir.
Because there are no predators significant enough to reduce the mussel populations once they establish themselves, scientists believe that a spread to any waterways will likely result in the mussels permanently establishing themselves there.
Kay Doan is the reporter for the Leadville Chronicle. She may be reached at kdoan@leadvillechronicle.com.
