Trailered boats will not be permitted on Standley Lake beginning this summer due to increasing concerns of zebra and quagga mussel infestation. Although the invasive species have not been detected in Westminster’s drinking water supply, a recent review of the policies and methods used to prevent an infestation found decontamination is not fully effective for many trailered boats. Boat launch data for 2018 also found multiple instances of Standley Lake boaters deliberately bypassing protective measures.
All 2019 permits that have been issued for trailered boats have been canceled and no additional permits will be sold. Individuals who already purchased a 2019 permit are being notified and will receive a full refund. Permits can still be purchased for non-trailered watercraft such as kayaks, canoes, rafts and paddleboards. Those types of watercraft will still have to go through the city’s on-site decontamination procedure.
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Zebra and quagga mussels, non-native aquatic species with a potential for significant damage, present a growing threat to Colorado water resources. Once established in a body of water they decimate local ecosystems, clog potable water infrastructure and cause algae blooms that threaten water quality.
“Standley Lake is the drinking water supply for roughly 300,000 people in Westminster, Northglenn and Thornton,” said Max Kirschbaum, Public Works and Utilities Department director. “Water comes directly from the lake into our treatment system. If these mussels establish themselves in the lake, there would be significant, on-going costs to keep our system running. Protecting our community’s water supply will always be the chief concern.”
Westminster has shared its decision with the cities of Thornton and Northglenn, along with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Public Works officials with those cities have indicated support for the decision. Westminster City Council has been advised of this policy decision by city staff.
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Standley Lake was the first body of water in Colorado to implement a zebra and quagga mussel protection plan. Since 2007, Westminster has utilized a system of decontamination for all watercraft, plus a quarantine program for all trailered boats.
Decontamination involves spraying all surfaces of a vessel and conducting a visual inspection to ensure zebra and quagga mussels are not present. This process will continue for non-trailered watercraft and is proven to be effective. However, there are portions of trailers and powerboats that cannot be effectively sprayed and cleaned. Most notably, ballast tanks within the hulls of powerboats cannot be sprayed, entirely drained, or visually inspected.
These boats have therefore been subject to quarantine. Quarantine periods have been extended at Standley Lake through the years as more research on the survivability of zebra and quagga mussels became available. Most recently, a 2013 study found zebra and quagga mussels could potentially survive in ballast tanks for up to 27 days. Westminster extended its quarantine to 35 days in 2013.
Unfortunately, a review of boat launch data during the 2018 season found as many as 24 boats circumvented the quarantine process. Boat owners launched the boat on other lakes, in some cases multiple times, and then launched on Standley Lake only days later. Trespassing notices are being issued to several owners.
“The Standley Lake boating community has largely been a terrific partner in helping protect these waters,” said Jason Genck, director of Westminster Parks, Recreation and Libraries – the department that manages Standley Lake recreation facilities and permits. “Until we can determine if there’s a way to ensure these types of boats won’t pose a substantial risk at the lake, we need to put these activities on hold immediately and indefinitely.”
Westminster will continue to conduct testing for zebra and quagga mussels at Standley Lake through its ongoing water quality monitoring program.
Staff will be available for a boaters meeting on Tuesday, April 2, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the community room at the City Park Recreation Center, 10455 Sheridan Blvd. A short presentation will be shown about why this decision has been made and then staff will be available to answer questions.
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