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Gunnison, Colo. – Blue Mesa Reservoir has remained about 40% ice-free this winter, and many anglers have been launching boats from shore to access the open waters. To prevent aquatic invasive species from entering the reservoir, however, boats launched with electric and/or gas-powered engines are required to be inspected prior to launching.
Since the reservoir is typically frozen over this time of year, inspection services are generally not available. Now that the Lake Fork boat launch is free of ice, the National Park Service is providing limited winter hours and services for boat inspections beginning on Monday, March 25. Full decontamination services will be available starting on Saturday, March 30.
Inspection services will begin at noon on Monday. Entrance and exit inspections are the only services available. The station will close at 4:30 pm. Thereafter, operational hours will be 7:00 am to 4:30 pm daily. Boats that have been inspected and are clean, drained, and dry will be allowed to enter the water. Starting on Saturday, water systems will be operational, allowing for decontamination services for all vessels entering the reservoir.
Local Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) offices can assist with finding alternative decontamination stations. The Loma decontamination station west of Grand Junction, Colorado opened on March 14 with services available Thursday through Monday. Visit CPW’s Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) website, https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/ISP-ANS.aspx, for more information.
Curecanti National Recreation Area manages recreation along the Gunnison River for Crystal, Morrow Point, and Blue Mesa reservoirs. These reservoirs are part of the greater Colorado River basin, and their hydrology is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Motorized and trailered watercraft launched onto Blue Mesa Reservoir must be inspected for aquatic invasive species prior to launching. Boat inspections help ensure that Blue Mesa will remain contaminant free and be available for this and future generations to enjoy.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve natural resources, local history, and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
Last updated: March 25, 2024