Laserfiche WebLink
Water Supply Reserve Account – Grant and Loan Program <br />Water Activity Summary Sheet <br /> <br /> <br />Applicant: <br />Colorado State Parks <br />Water Activity Name: <br /> Colorado State Parks Zebra Mussel Response <br />Amount Requested: <br /> $1,000,000 (Statewide) <br />Matching Funds <br />: Yes <br />Water Activity Purpose: <br /> Structural and Non-Structural water project <br />County: <br /> Pueblo (Statewide for educational component) <br />Drainage Basin: <br /> Arkansas River <br />Water Source: <br /> Pueblo Reservoir (Arkansas River) <br /> <br /> <br />Water Activity Summary: <br />The goal of this project is to minimize the spread of zebra mussels. Zebra mussels were confirmed by the <br />Division of Wildlife to be present and reproducing in Lake Pueblo this January. These invasive mussels <br />have caused dramatic ecological changes and economic impacts in other states and other countries. These <br />species are native to the Black and Caspian seas. They were discovered in the Great Lakes in 1988 and have <br />since spread to 26 states in the United States. They are small bi-valve (two shelled) mollusks like a clam, <br />but with the unique ability to attach well to hard substances under the water including pipes and conduits. <br />They reproduce sexually and release microscopic larvae by the millions. <br /> <br />They are known to have major ecological impacts, primarily on fisheries. Because they are highly efficient <br />filter feeders, they can within a few years of invasion decrease the nutrients available to fish dramatically and <br />thereby reduce those fish stocks significantly. In the Great Lakes reductions in species such as walleye, lake <br />trout and whitefish where dramatic in the 1990’s. The zebra mussels also alter growth of submerged aquatic <br />vegetation and algae because of their filtration of the nutrients and increase of water clarity. In many water <br />bodies the results of this has been increase major algal blooms and dieoffs. The zebra mussels can also <br />harbor bacteria which can produce noxious smells and impacts to the taste of drinking water. <br /> <br />The major economic impacts of these species that have been experienced have primarily been to the power <br />industry as they mussels have clogged major water intakes and to water treatment facilities as their facilities <br />have been clogged. Major impacts to dam gates, pumps and turbines have been documented in other states. <br />Prevention and maintenance costs tally in the billions in the Great Lakes for this species. In California the <br />combined response to the appearance of zebra and quagga mussels in January 2007 has totaled many <br />millions (California state officials have not tallied the total response by all entities, but estimates are between <br />$20-100 million based on incomplete estimates) from the state agencies, water districts, federal agencies, <br />agricultural entities and other local entities, but that does not include losses to revenue, only expenditures. <br /> <br />The Zebra and Quagga mussel species are very difficult to eradicate. The only known case of eradication of <br />Zebra mussels is from an isolated 12 acre quarry in Virginia where very large volumes of chemical <br />treatments were used. So around the country the focus has been strongly placed on containment in infested <br />water bodies and prevention in water bodies not yet affected. Major public education and <br />inspection/decontamination programs focused on minimizing the spread via recreational boating have been <br /> 1 <br />