Zebra Mussels – Ridgway and Sweitzer Lakes’ game plan
RIDGWAY, Colo. (KREX) — Zebra mussels have been terrorizing highline lake for more than a year – enough to shut down the lake to boating this summer.
The mussels are a fingernail-sized invasive mollusk that stick to everything…in massive numbers, which can clog drains and pipelines.
Park manager John Freeborn for Ridgway State Park tells Western Slope Now these little guys cause big problems, like killing the lower parts of the food chain.
He says the park expects to see a noticeable increase in visitation and boating this season because of Highline’s closure – meaning they have to crack down on boat inspections to make sure their reservoir isn’t next, though they don’t have any sign of these mussels found in their water right now.
The boat ramp just opened – hours for entry and exit inspections are set to change throughout the season, but as of right now, it’s 8 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon.
Sweitzer Lake park manager Scott Rist is also gearing up for a busy summer bringing people in and keeping zebra mussels out.
If they find any trace of these pesky creatures, they’ll flush them out with hot water.
Scott tells Western Slope Now at this temperature, it only takes about 10 seconds to kill the mussels.
John says ANS crews will also continually test the Ridgway reservoir with plankton tows to be sure inspectors didn’t miss anything.
Remember to protect the lakes you love make sure your boat is clean, drained and dry when you pack up.
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