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Boaters headed to Dillon Reservoir will face mandatory inspections this summer as the state battles an infestation of zebra mussels.
Dillon, owned by Denver Water, is one of dozens of reservoirs where boat inspections will be required before vessels are allowed into the water.
The state has also begun an inspection program at Chatfield and Cherry Creek reservoirs, at Pueblo, and at John Martin and Navajo reservoirs in southern Colorado.
Boat inspections at Dillon will include non-motorized craft, such as kayaks and canoes, as well as motorized boats and their trailers.
The zebra mussel is a destructive organism that damages reservoir ecosystems and water delivery systems, clogging pipes and pumps.
The mussel was discovered at Pueblo Reservoir this spring. Once confined to the Great Lakes region, the species has spread to the West. Officials believe it is carried on boats and trailers.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife has been on the lookout for the mussel since 2004. Last summer, larvae for the species were found in Lake Powell, one of the most popular boating haunts in the West. At the same time, its cousin, the quagga mussel, was found in Lake Mead.
If the zebra spreads beyond Lake Pueblo, it is likely to cause major headaches for Colorado. It has no known natural predators, and officials say the only decisive way to kill it is to drain the water bodies in which it's found, which few water-short Western states can afford.
smithj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5474
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May 15, 2008
9:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
Gene writes:
Why do boaters need muscles?
I mean if you are just sitting in a stinkpot turning a steering wheel, that doesn't take any muscle.
May 15, 2008
3:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
Scott writes:
Gene,
You've got it all wrong. CDW will be looking for muscle boats. Ya know the ones with 250 horsepower engines. Also known as, a washtub with a tornado strapped to the back. Guys that buy and drive those things typically DON'T have muscles, including the "main" one ;-)
I grew up sailing sailboats. Now THAT was a real chick magnet. The guys with the muscle boats never knew what they were missing :-)
Scott
May 15, 2008
6:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
jbowen43 writes:
When will this start and who is paying for it? Last I heard boats were kept off lakes because of a lack of inspectors.