Editor's Note: This news release was written and originally published by Colorado Parks & Wildlife. It is reprinted here as a courtesy to the public visiting our John Martin Reservoir and Trinidad Lake.
HASTY, Colo. – Access to boat ramps at John Martin Reservoir State Park, Trinidad Lake State Park and the twin lakes at Lathrop State Park in Walsenburg will be changing in coming weeks due to seasonal closures.
But the need to guard against the invasion of non-native zebra and quagga mussels, known as Aquatic Nuisance Species, or ANS, is not going away. And Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds boaters to remain vigilant in protecting state waters from these damaging mussels.
At John Martin Reservoir, boat ramps will be closed beginning Nov. 1 because they fall within a designated “waterfowl resting area.” And the reservoir’s Lane 19 boat ramp currently does not allow access to water.
Hand launching of boats is still allowed at John Martin. But hand-launched boats still need an ANS inspection. Boaters should report to the John Martin Reservoir State Park Visitor Center during business hours, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday, to obtain an ANS inspection.
At Trinidad Lake, the boat ramps will close Dec. 1, unless an earlier freeze makes boating impossible. In the meantime, ANS inspections remain mandatory.
At Lathrop, the ANS inspection station closes Oct. 31, requiring boaters to stop at the Visitor Center to obtain an inspection between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Gates at the Martin boat ramp in Lathrop will remain open until the lake freezes. Horseshoe Lake boat ramp is closed for the season. Hand-launched boats may be used to retrieve waterfowl during the waterfowl season.
For more information about CPW’s ANS Program and the Mussel-Free Colorado Act, visit http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/ISP-ANS.aspx.