As Americans, we love to spend time on the water. Protecting these resources is an important part of our overall enjoyment. A concern we must all address is the spreading of harmful plants, animals and other organisms. These aquatic nuisance species can hitch a ride on our clothing, boats, and 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, these introduced species can become established and create drastic results.
So what can we do? By following this simple procedure each time we leave the water, we can help stop aquatic hitchhikers:
1. Clean your boat and equipment to remove potential invasive species.
2. Drain your boat so invasive species don't have a place to hide until your next trip to the lake.
3. Dry your boat and equipment to kill any invasive species too small to see. Knowing which waters contain nuisance hitchhikers is not as important as doing the procedure every time you leave any lake, stream or coastal area.
Three easy steps:
Step 1 - Remove all visible mud, plants, fish/animals. Examine all your equipment, boats, trailers, clothing, boots, buckets.
Step 2 - Eliminate water from all equipment before transporting anywhere. Much of the recreational equipment used in water contains many spots where water can collect and potentially harbor these aquatic hitchhikers.
Step 3 - Clean and dry anything that came in contact with the water, such as boats, trailers, equipment, dogs, boots, clothing, etc.
Check out Protect Your Waters for more information and details!
Colorado and New Mexico Specific information:
Click here to view interactive map with locations of inspection stations in NM.
Aquatic Invasive Species Decontamination Unit Locations in N.M.
Aquatic Invasive Species Decontamination Unit Locations in CO