15.954WATERS within the curecanti national REC area support cold water fisheries and provide critical agriculturalirrigation water and hydro-power generation

The Department of Natural Resources Colorado, through its Executive Director's Office, was awarded a $160,000 Cooperative Agreement under the National Park Service Conservation, Protection, Outreach, and Education program (CFDA 15.954). The award, effective September 14, 2023 through September 6, 2027, will support projects to prevent and monitor the introduction of aquatic invasive species (AIS) such as zebra and quagga mussels, New Zealand mudsnails, and rusty crayfish within the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Key activities include conducting boat inspections, educating boaters on AIS prevention, and performing decontaminations of high-risk vessels. This project aims to protect the area's cold water fisheries and critical water resources used for agricultural irrigation and hydropower generation.

Several reservoirs are at high risk for the introduction of zebraand quagga mussels, new zealand mudsnails, and rusty crayfish. This project will provide AIS prevention andmonitoring via boat inspections and boater education at multiple sites. Staff will interview boaters to evaluaterisk of AIS contamination, educate visitors about their role in preventing the spread of AIS, and performdecontaminations of high-risk vessels that may be harboring aquatic invasive species.