March 19, 2009 - Antero Reservoir will be open to trailered boats beginning May 1, 2009, when the aquatic nuisance species inspection program resumes. Shoreline fishing and non-trailered hand-launched watercraft such as canoes, kayaks and belly-boats will be allowed prior to that date. Boating hours are from a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset; all boats must be removed from the water at night due to zebra and quagga mussel concerns. Trailered boats will not be allowed to launch after Oct 31.
In a change from 2008, the north boat ramp will be closed to trailered boat launching. All trailered boats must launch at the south boat ramp. As in 2008, all trailered boats will be subject to mandatory aquatic nuisance species inspections provided by the Colorado Division of Wildlife in cooperation with Denver Water.
To relieve congestion at the south boat ramp, it is recommended that hand-launched watercraft enter the water near the north boat ramp.
Denver Water takes the threat of aquatic nuisance species, like zebra and quagga mussels, very seriously. The mussels pose a high threat of spreading to other reservoirs and waterways throughout the state. The primary threat in Colorado is mussel movement through recreational boating, as the mussels can easily “hitchhike” by attaching themselves to boat hulls, trailers and aquatic plants.
Zebra mussels can clog pipes, valves, gates and any water-related equipment or surface. They can ruin boats by jamming equipment and causing motor damage, and they destroy fisheries by consuming nutrients and wrecking the food chain.
Boat inspections are needed to maintain the integrity of the state’s boating and fishing communities, as well as its water quality.
To shorten inspection times, boaters are asked to make sure that boats and trailers are cleaned, drained and dried after every use. This procedure will dramatically lessen the chance of mussels spreading in Colorado.
You can learn more about zebra and quagga mussels at www.100thmeridian.org.
The opening days for trailered boating at other Denver Water facilities are as follows:
- Dillon Reservoir: At ice-off. Contact the Dillon Marina (970) 468-5100 or the Frisco Bay Marina (970) 668-4334 for details.
- 11 Mile Reservoir: Contact Colorado State Parks at (719) 748-3401.