Aquatic Nuisance Species
By Liz Schnackenberg, Kimberly Vogel, and
Rick Henderson, US Dept of Agriculture
Photos courtesy of Michigan Sea Grant
As citizens of the Yampa Valley, we enjoy spending recreational time on our rivers and lakes. We must all accept the responsibility for the protection of aquatic resources by reducing the spread of harmful plants, animals and other organisms. These aquatic nuisance species can hitch a ride on our clothing, boats, and other items used in the water. When we go to another lake or stream, the nuisance species can be released. And, if the conditions are right, they can become established and create drastic results.
In general terms, Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are aquatic and terrestrial organisms that, when introduced into new habitats, produce harmful impacts on aquatic natural resources in these ecosystems and on the human use of these resources. These species are a concern because they can negatively impact native species, reduce game fish populations, make lakes/rivers unusable by boaters and swimmers, ruin boat engines and steering equipment, and dramatically increase the operating costs of drinking water plants, power plants, and dam maintenance.
Several ANS species currently exist in rivers and streams within or near the Yampa Valley. Whirling disease was introduced in the 1980s and has been responsible for dramatic declines in native trout and many of our world class rainbow trout fisheries here in Colorado. Similarly, the Cytrid fungus is likely responsible for the decline in many of our native amphibian species. Recently invasive Quagga Mussel larvae have invaded four reservoirs in Grand County this spring. Quagga Mussels, along with the closely related Zebra Mussel, have greatly impacted native mussel species, altered food chains and resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in damage within the United States since the 1980s.
What can be done?
Water based recreational activities are the main vectors for the introduction and establishment of aquatic nuisance species. By following a few simple procedures each time we leave the water, we can reduce the spread of ANS.
- Remove any visible mud, plants, fish or animals before transporting equipment
- Eliminate water from equipment before transporting
- Clean and dry anything that came in contact with water (waders, boats, trailers, etc.)
- Never release plants, fish or animals into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water
While knowing which waters contain nuisance species is important, the best prevention is to follow these procedures when leaving any lake, stream or coastal area.
A number of resources provide excellent information on individual species, education materials, cleaning techniques, and ways to get involved. They include:
- US Forest Service: http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/resources/aquatic/
- Colorado Department of Natural Resources: http://parks.state.co.us/NaturalResources/ParksResourceStewardship/ AquaticNuisanceSpecies/
- Protect Your Waters: http://www.protectyourwaters.net/
- The 100th Meridian Initiative: http://www.100thmeridian.org/zebras.asp
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