Aquatic Invasive Species Management

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) pose a growing threat to the reservoirs in Curecanti and surrounding ecosystem. An AIS is a freshwater or marine organism (plant or animal) that has spread or been introduced outside its native area. AIS either cause harm or have potential to cause harm in this new area. Habitats and food chains can be affected, ecosystems disrupted, and water infrastructure clogged and negatively impacted.

Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species

AIS is almost impossible to eradicate or remove entirely from an area once it becomes established. AIS have serious consequences for the environment, water infrastructure, and downstream sources.

Curecanti National Recreation Area works to prevent new AIS from entering the reservoirs through education and awareness, watercraft inspections, and monitoring water resources. Prevention methods are a primary tool in keeping the river, streams, and reservoirs clean, clear, and fishable.

 

Clean, Drain, Dry

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Park are campaign partners with Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers. This national education campaign was launched by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force in 2002. It is designed to raise awareness about aquatic invasive species and empower people who recreate on the water to become part of the solution in preventing the spread of these harmful species.

NPS staff encourage boaters to "clean, drain, and dry" watercraft and equipment to protect the Gunnison River, reservoirs, and other Colorado waters.

 

Clean Drain Dry

CLEAN off visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from all equipment before leaving water access.

DRAIN motor, bilge, livewell, and other water containing devices before leaving water access.

DRY everything for at least five days OR wipe with a towel before reuse.

For ANGLERS, the additional step of DISPOSE is recommended:

DISPOSE of unwanted bait, worms, and fish parts in the trash. Never dump live fish or other organisms from one water body into another.

 

Watercraft inspection conducted by National Park Service (NPS) and Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) staff

NPS Photo

Watercraft Inspections

The National Park Service and Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) employ staff who inspect watercraft before and after entering the reservoirs. Required inspections, combined with efforts by boaters and anglers to clean, drain, and dry watercraft, help prevent the introduction and spread of AIS in Curecanti's reservoirs. Since the AIS management program begin, NPS staff have conducted hundreds of thousands of inspections and thousands of decontaminations.

Motorized and trailered watercraft are required to be inspected for aquatic invasive species prior to launching, and if necessary, decontaminated in accordance with procedures set by CPW. In addition to the mandatory inspection prior to launch, boaters are strongly encouraged to get an exit inspection as well.

There are currently no banned watercraft or equipment at Curecanti. Some federal, state, or local parks and recreation areas have watercraft restrictions; check before you go.

 

Testing & Monitoring

AIS testing and monitoring is part of the water quality program at Curecanti. Monitoring is focused on early detection of quagga and zebra mussels in the reservoirs, as they pose the greatest threat to park resources.

Park staff use monitoring techniques such as plankton sampling for veligers (the microscopic early stage of mussels) and visual surveying of substrates attached to buoys. Please do not disturb or tamper with these buoys.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the difference between invasive and nuisance species?

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) and aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are used interchangeably to define nonnative or exotic species that can be harmful to an ecosystem.

What are aquatic hitchhikers?

“Aquatic hitchhiker” is a term used to describe AIS that can be transported by "riding" on a boat from one body of water to another.

If a boat is only used in one area, does it need to follow "clean, drain, and dry"?

Although restricting boating to one body of water can reduce the chance of spreading AIS, boaters and anglers should follow the Clean Drain Dry steps before and after leaving the water. Watercraft inspections are required for house boats, cabin cruisers, pontoon boats, large open boats, small open boats with a gas or electric motor, ski boats, wakeboard boats, sailboats, personal watercraft (jet skis), and any watercraft that requires the trailer to enter the water.

What is a watercraft inspection? How long does it take?

Inspections occur at one of the watercraft inspection stations located across Curecanti. These stations are labeled with large yellow signs. An authorized inspector (either National Park Service or Colorado Parks & Wildlife staff) will ask you questions to determine the risk your watercraft poses of transporting AIS. If your watercraft is low-risk, inspections are quick (3-5 minutes).

High-risk watercraft, such as watercraft that last operated in a state where waters are known to have AIS or watercraft with large amounts of standing water, will have more thorough and longer inspections. If an inspector determines that a decontamination is needed, this could take 1 to 2 hours.