Invasive Eurasian watermilfoil found in Fountain Lake and Arkansas River
Bill VogrinSoutheast Region Public Information Officer
719-466-3927 / [email protected]
Nov. 14, 2024
Invasive Eurasian watermilfoil found in Fountain Lake and Arkansas River
PUEBLO, Colo. – Eurasian watermilfoil, a fast-growing aquatic invasive plant species that creates dense undergrowth in lakes and rivers, degrades fish spawning areas and interferes with boating, fishing, swimming and other forms of water recreation, has been found in Fountain Lake and its outlet to the Arkansas River.
CPW Invasive Species Program Manager Robert Walters announced the discovery on Thursday and urged people to be diligent about inspecting, cleaning and drying their watercraft to prevent further spread of this plant.
“Eurasian watermilfoil can quickly damage an ecosystem,” Walters said. “It is very prolific and can grow up to a foot per week during the growing season. The species is easily spread by fragmentation, which is when a small piece of the plant is broken off of the main stem.
“To prevent it from becoming established in new water bodies, it is extremely important that anglers and boaters remove all aquatic vegetation from their equipment between uses.”
Walters also urged the public to report to CPW anytime they see invasive species, which include zebra and quagga mussels and Asian carp.
CPW will post signs notifying the public of the invasive species and encouraging them to clean, drain and dry their equipment.
The agency also is working with local partners on a management plan to control this newly confirmed population.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.