Arkansas - Colorado State Parks Zebra Mussel Response_Application

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Zebra and QU<:lgga Mussel Slghtlngs Distribution (OffllsS&na polymorph;; !rJd D. rosrrifollnfs bi1g..nsls) ,. J ~~~ ..,./."-...'.,.. ~ 1\ ,--' -1 \ I, r"':' "-c, I, ~.~. :'J,' :) ~ I / '~,"* . _ _! II" ~. ~;"'..' (.it/~ I '...'iJ~ - . -~ I r '1"... .....__. _L-:i,... j'~'-T' ': -';--i:~--"" ' 'i-- ---=- ..l . . ..,.~ ~'<' \'* ,,'- , {, . /) 'i:f,' ! .;' I _ -.:-.:- "'- .', ;""' .1t~, ': --\ ~'o1i' ,.',' ~ --; _ .. 0'1 '... >.<~~ '. t..,.", L'- -- ~_ _"-"c;>,. jP --~"l*.' cS.' ,~-~: ..:~:. -f5<::;--'<)! , " ~"""l,..,' '( "(' \ " I r ' v.' 'J ~!'J:~..:~I'r-- <t, ~'~t.\ (,'>'!.""":' "....~':\ _ . "il'!bra mu~~loocurrerK:~1!; (' QUligg<l mll'Jsel ()~~LJlrern::e'J. , ~ , : ;:~~~~::::=k:~~dOverland 'I on boat hulls .. .. __ r?i..or '~Ol6 ~ IA. . 11\\.9) .~ . J876 State of Colorado Zebra Mussel Response What are Zebra Mussels? Zebra mussels and Quagga mussels are a type of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) or Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) that are native to the Slack and Caspian seas. They were discovered in the Great Lakes in 1988 and have since spread to 26 states in the United States. They are small bi-valve (two shelled) mollusks like a clam, but they have the unique ability to attach to hard substances under the water. They can release up to a million microscopic larvae in a year. .. ~ ~ STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS!' Prl'V'ent me Ir~nsport 01 nm!~nrr s[lo'dO's. lleaJl g!! re;:f~atMldl eqWprll~nl .........r.!9IHty.1Il'tl.~1l../IC What is the Problem with Zebra Mussels? They grow and reproduce quickly! An individual female mussel can release up to a million larvae in a year and mussels can grow to densities of hundreds of thousands per square yard. They clog water facilities. They attach to any underwater facilities and they can form dense clusters that then impair the facilities and block the flow of water. The maintenance costs in water treatment plants, power plant intakes and dams have been in the billions of dollars in the Great Lakes area. They also affect the taste and smell of drinking water due to algal die-offs and bacteria. They have significant ecological impacts. They are highly efficient filter feeders than can remove much of the planktonic food sources for fish. In the Great Lakes many fish populations were negatively impacted after the invasion by zebra mussels. They also bio-accumulate heavy metals and have been linked to impacts higher up the food chain. They also spread quickly to other water bodies. They can spread to other bodies of water by attaching to boat hulls or their larvae can be transported in bilge water or live bait wells. Their larvae also disperse naturally downstream, and though they don't establish large populations in rivers, they can be carried to other lakes or reservoirs downstream or through water diversions or some segments of river. They are very difficult to kill. Only one water body in the US was able to eradicate zebra mussels and that was an isolated 12 acre quarry in Virginia, where a large volume of chemical treatment was used. Eradicating or treating them in a large body of water is difficult, so prevention is very important. They can be killed on boats if they are washed off or dried out. Draining all water from boats and then washing the boats with hot water (140 degrees F) or scrubbing with a 6% chlorine or bleach solution can destroy the mussels. When moving your boat between water bodies, keep your boat dry for more than a week in mid-summer or 3-4 weeks in spring or fall to ensure zebra mussels dry out (it depends on temperature and humidity - see a time calculator at www.10OthMeridian.org). State Parks Overall Response State Parks has responded to this problem quickly and is basing its actions on the best management practices available from other states and other countries that have dealt with the same problem. Boating Policies at Lake Pueblo (effective in March 2008) o Vessel Launchina restricted to two boat ramps o Time Stamp - so inspections can be focused on high risk vessels that have been on the water longer o Drainina of all water before leaving the reservoir o Inspections of all high risk vessels o Marina - inspections when boats are leaving o "Clean and Dry" - public education Planning to implement Inspections and Draining at other key parks o Navajo, Cherry Creek, Chatfield, John Martin Public education at all reservoir Parks (May, 2008) o Signs, brochures, public contact Sampling at all reservoir Parks (June, 2008) o Substrate sampling implemented by Park staff in coordination with Colorado Division of Wildlife. -