Eagle River Coalition: Help protect local waterways from invasive species

With the discovery of zebra mussels in the Colorado River near Highline Reservoir, it is important to understand what invasive species are, why they are harmful, and how you can help protect our watershed from these threats.

Invasive species are species of non-native plants, animals, insects, or pathogens that drastically and negatively alter their habitat and have no natural enemies or competitors. Unlike other non-native species that generally do not significantly disrupt local ecosystems, invasive species aggressively dominate and damage native ecosystems and can even harm the economy.

We are currently focusing on several invasive species that are currently impacting watersheds here in Eagle County. Last year, New Zealand mud snails in particular were found in Lower Brush Creek.These tiny snails, each about the size of a grain of rice, can destroy native macroinvertebrate populations and negatively impact fish health.

Signs of whirling disease have also been observed, indicating the presence of another invasive species. This disease, caused by a microscopic parasite, affects trout and salmon, causing severe deformities and high mortality rates in juvenile fish. Whirling disease is named for the erratic, tail-chasing movements exhibited by some infected fish.

Although zebra mussels have not yet been found in Eagle County, this invasive species poses a serious threat to local macroinvertebrate populations and water infrastructure such as pipelines and reservoirs.

Support local journalism

Donate

Humans are the main cause of the spread of the above-mentioned invasive species and it is up to us to contain their further spread through preventive measures.

What can you do?

Understanding and managing invasive species like those listed above is critical to maintaining the health of our watershed. By staying informed and taking appropriate action, we can all help protect our environment.

Individuals play a critical role in preventing the spread of invasive species. Especially with zebra mussels and other highly invasive species in the Colorado River, it is imperative for river users – kayakers, paddleboarders, rafters and anglers – to thoroughly inspect their boats and all equipment before traveling upstream and between waterways.

The general rule of thumb for all invasive species is:

1. Clean – When you leave the waterway, clean everything thoroughly, including trailers, boats, waders, boots, etc. Remove any visible plants or plant parts, as well as mud or other debris, as some species can survive out of the water for several days.
2. Drain – Drain any places on your watercraft where water can collect. Be sure to remove drain plugs and drain engines, as well as any water wells, bilges, ballast tanks, etc.
3. Dry – Allow your boats, waders, etc. to dry before moving to another body of water.
4. Dispose of – If the bait is not from the water you are using, do not dump it in the water! Two important practices are disposing of unused live bait in trash containers and being responsible with animals and plants in the aquarium or classroom that you should never release into the wild.
5. If you see something you believe may be an invasive species like those listed above, please report it to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). There are three ways to submit a report:
   1. Use the CPW Report Invader online form
   2. Call CPW at 303-291-7295
   3. Email: [email protected]

We can—and must—do our part to prevent the spread of invasive species and keep our watersheds clean. Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s guide to protecting our waters from invasive species can be found at CPW.state.co.us.

Rose Sandell is education and outreach coordinator at the Eagle River Coalition.