SILVERTHORNE, Colo. — Green Mountain Reservoir opens Friday with improvements to the Heeney Marina, including more parking and an improved boat ramp, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service.
Invasive quagga mussel larvae, known as veligers, were confirmed at the reservoir in 2017. In an effort to control the spread of the species, the marina was reconstructed to improve drainage.
The improved boat ramp will be the only motorized boat entry and exit into the reservoir. Launching motorized boats from other ramps or the shoreline is prohibited and could result in a fine.
An Aquatic Nuisance Species inspection and decontamination station will be open 7 a.m to 7 p.m., and all boats must be inspected for the mussel larvae when exiting the reservoir. This protocol was put into place last year.
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If a boater leaving the reservoir intends to launch in a different water body, their boat must be decontaminated before launching.
The release says cooperation with Colorado’s mandatory inspection and decontamination program has proven successful to stop the movement of harmful invasive species, such as quagga mussels, into new waters.
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