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A sign Ruedi Reservoir informs boaters they must take action to help prevent invasive species from taking hold.
U.S. Forest Service/courtesy image -
The Ruedi Reservoir boat ramp is open for the summer and inspections for invasive species are being held prior to launch.
The boat inspections will take place through Oct. 31. The hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through May 19, then 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May 20 through June 30.
The inspection hours expand to 6 a.m. through 10 p.m. from July 1 through Sept. 2, then are reduced to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the remainder of the season.
A partnership between the U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Ruedi Water and Power Authority makes the inspections possible. The goal is to prevent invasive species such as guagga mussels and zebra mussels from entering the reservoir. Ruedi has been considered at moderate risk, but many who boat there also take their craft to Lake Powell, which has tested positive for mussels. In 2018, two boats were decontaminated at Ruedi after mussels were found on them. Both had been at Lake Powell.
“We want to provide a great experience for boaters and anglers using Ruedi Reservoir while also ensuring that aquatic nuisance species do not take hold and cause irreversible damage to our waterways,” said Aspen-Sopris District Ranger Karen Schroyer. “We appreciate the public’s help keeping Ruedi free of these destructive species by cooperating with inspection regulations.”
Access down the concrete boat ramp will be limited to times when the boat inspection station is open. Boaters who return to the ramp after the gate is locked in the evening will have to anchor their watercraft or tie it to the boat dock and return when the station is open to retrieve it.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds boaters that the purchase of the ANS stamp is required prior to operating on Colorado’s waters in 2019. More information that can be found on CPW’s website at https://bit.ly/2GIVkfH.
Non-motorized vessels such as canoes and kayaks are not required to undergo inspection and can launch from Ruedi Boat Ramp and other locations around Ruedi Reservoir.