Colorado May Need Federal Grant to Fight Zebra Mussel Invasion

I can still remember the announcement from back in 2022. In the fall, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced that Mesa County's Highline Lake was the state's first body of water recognized as being infested with Zebra Mussels.

Read More: Highline Lake Is Colorado's First Lake Categorized As Infested

Fast forward to today and the problem has gotten worse. The Zebra Mussels are now in the Colorado River. Since the Grand Valley is pretty much one big canal, the mussels could impact everything from farming to ranching, even the orchards growing our sweet Colorado peaches.

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Zebra Mussels in the Colorado River

The Colorado River flows from its headwaters in the Rocky Mountains, through the state to the Grand Valley, and then on to seven other states. It's one of the worst possible places for a zebra mussel infestation. Earlier this year, the Colorado River upstream of Highline Lake tested positive for larval zebra mussels, called veligers.

Mesa County Drafts Presidential Request

KKCO, News 11 reports that Mesa County Commissioner Bobbie Daniel has written a letter to the President along with county officials supporting a Federal Grant opportunity for the county. The invasive zebra mussels have damaged the county's water infrastructure. As the damage continues it's going to impact the valley's food producers.

Read More: How Deep Is The Colorado River?

Save the Colorado River from Zebra Mussels

While the water infrastructure can be repaired, stopping the spread of zebra mussels is up to the residents of the county as much as anyone else. Because the mussel infestation keeps spreading, lines will be longer at the boat ramps and people will spend less time on the water waiting for an inspection.