Mussel expert to speak tonight in Dolores

Presentation at 7 p.m. at community center
Invasive species specialists for Colorado Parks and Wildlife Robert Walters gave a program on zebra and quagga mussels in March in Cortez.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will give a presentation on the risk of invasive mussels to Colorado waterways on Thursday, June 8, at 7 p.m., at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave.

Aquatic nuisance specialist Robert Walters will explain the biology of the quagga mussel and why this species poses such a serious threat to water resources in Montezuma County and the state.

Colorado is mussel free, but is surrounded by states that are contaminated with the non-native species, which cause damage to irrigation and municipal water systems. They spread to other waterways via infected boats and engines. To prevent local contamination, trailered and motorized boats must pass through boat inspection stations before getting on McPhee Reservoir. Other local lakes are closed to motorized boats because they don’t have inspection stations.

May 16, 2017
Groundhog Lake plans to allow limited motorized boating
Apr 21, 2017
Houseboat infested with mussels is intercepted
Apr 6, 2017
Facing a threat from mussel invasion, managers right to restrict watercraft
Apr 1, 2017
Locals discuss mussels, boating regulations in Cortez
Mar 15, 2017
Montezuma irrigation company eases Narraguinnep boating ban
Feb 26, 2015
Budget for boat checks slashed