Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!

What are aquatic hitchhikers?

“Aquatic hitchhikers” are non-native plants and animals that can be transported on boats and other recreational equipment. They are called “hitchhikers” because they attach themselves to boats, trailers, and other equipment and hitch a free ride from one body of water to another. As with regular hitchhikers, picking up aquatic hitchhikers is a bad idea.

Aquatic hitchhikers are dangerous because they upset the balance in our lakes and compete against native organisms. Once they are introduced into a lake, aquatic hitchhikers can drastically reduce fish populations, degrade water quality, and obstruct pipelines and pumps used to supply treatment plants with water.

Two of the most troublesome hitchhikers are a plant called Eurasian Watermilfoil and tiny mussels called Zebra Mussels. Both can survive long trips out of water, and are usually transported on boats, trailers, and motors. These invasive species can spread quickly and are difficult to get rid of once they enter a body of water. Unfortunately, both hitchhikers have recently been spotted in several lakes in Colorado and neighboring states.

Stopping aquatic hitchhikers
The best way to stop aquatic hitchhikers is to thoroughly wash all boats, trailers, and equipment that contact the water, and allow them to dry for at least ten days before they are placed in another body of water. Using high-pressure car washes with hot water and soap is recommended for boats and trailers.

Be aware of locations where the presence of aquatic hitchhikers has been confirmed. If you use your boat or other equipment on several lakes, find out if non-native species have been discovered there, and make sure that all plants and animals have been removed from your equipment before going to another lake.

If you fish or boat on Arvada Reservoir, ask the Reservoir Rangers for more information on stopping aquatic hitchhikers. If there are any concerns of aquatic hitchhikers on your boat, Reservoir Rangers may check for the following:

• Any containers of water such as live wells/wet wells.
• Any evidence of plants, shells, or other organisms that are attached to the boat.
• Any areas where organisms can become trapped, such as points where the boat rests on trailers, motor mounts, etc.
• Any hollow or open portions of trailer frames, wheels, and other equipment for any plants or other organisms.

Lakes in Colorado Known to Contain Zebra Mussels:

Pueblo Reservoir is the only lake in Colorado that is currently known to contain Zebra Mussels.

Lakes in Colorado Known to contain Eurasian Watermilfoil:

Arvada Reservoir
Standley Lake
Boulder Creek
Chatfield State Park Ponds
St. Vrain State Park Ponds
Lathrop State Park Ponds
Marston Reservoir
Upper and Lower Bowles Reservoir
Bow Mar Lake
CU Research Center Ponds
Fremont County Canal Systems
West Lake