Officials have made a shocking discovery in the Colorado River that could devastate the local economy.
The feared zebra mussel was discovered during routine testing in July and threatens to wreak havoc on native fish populations, water infrastructure, irrigation systems and drinking water supplies.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Aquatic Nuisance Species team encountered the invasive species in the Government Highline Canal near Clifton while collecting a plankton sample on July 1.
They found a single veliger zebra mussel, visible only under a microscope, floating in the water, which experts called “devastating.” The Denver Gazette reported.
They found more plankton after collecting more plankton samples from the Colorado River on July 8.
Officials have made a shocking discovery in the Colorado River that could destroy the local economy
The feared zebra mussel was discovered during routine testing in July. The discovery threatens to wreak havoc on native fish populations, water infrastructure, irrigation systems and drinking water supplies (Pictured: Photo of a zebra mussel veliger discovered by CPW)
Zebra mussels feed on plankton, depriving native fish species of vital food sources, especially in areas of low water flow.
They can also clog water systems, causing maintenance problems.
Tina Bergonzini, executive director of the Grand Valley Water Users Association, called the discovery “devastating” and warned of far-reaching implications for irrigation, drinking water and overall water safety.
“The fact that our canal and the Colorado River are testing positive magnifies the threat of this invasive species and could impact everyone in the Grand Valley. From irrigation to drinking water, the impacts cannot be underestimated or exaggerated,” she told the outlet.
‘We, together with our partners at CPW and the BOR, will step up our efforts to protect our infrastructure, the livelihoods of many and water safety for all.’
Zebra mussels filter-feed on plankton, depriving native fish of vital food sources, especially in slow-moving areas. They can also clog water systems, creating maintenance problems. (Pictured: Zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, in a pond)
Zebra mussels are native to the Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and Azov Sea in Eastern Europe and were first discovered in the Great Lakes in Lake St. Clair in 1988. Since then, the invasive species has spread to 33 states in the United States.
The mussels were found in the ‘free floating (planktonic) larval stage’. No adult mussels have been found yet.
CPW Director Jeff Davis warned of “ecological and economic impacts not only to the Grand Valley, but potential impacts to the entire state.”
“This challenging discovery has ecological and economic implications not only for the Grand Valley, but potentially for the entire state,” CPW Director Jeff Davis told the outlet.
“CPW is committed to working with all of our partners to better understand the magnitude of this discovery and take the next steps to protect natural resources and infrastructure.”
The government is doing everything it can to get the crisis under control, but in the meantime they are urging water users to be vigilant.
Officials are doing their best to contain the crisis, but in the meantime they are urging water users to be vigilant. They are urging people to clean, drain and dry the barrels to prevent the zebra mussels from spreading.
They are urging people to clean, drain and dry the pots to prevent the zebra mussels from spreading.
According to the CPW, zebra mussels are native to the Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and Azov Sea in Eastern Europe. They were first discovered in the Great Lakes, in Lake St. Clair, in 1988.
Since then, the invasive species has spread to 33 states in the United States.