LOVELAND, Colo. (AP) — Colorado wildlife inspectors have intercepted a record number of boats infested with invasive mussels as they try to keep the economically-damaging shellfish from entering state waters.
The Loveland Reporter-Herald reports the Colorado Parks and Wildlife have found 51 boats with mussels so far this season across the state. That’s the same number for all of 2018.
Officials say most of the boats were coming from Utah’s Lake Powell.
Invasive mussels can quickly spread, displacing native species and damaging water supply and irrigation systems.
The shellfish are found in waterbodies of surrounding states including Utah, Kansas and Nebraska.
Officials urge boat owners to clean and drain their boats before putting them into state waters.
