You pull up to your favorite mountain lake at sunrise. Paddleboard strapped to the roof, thermos in the cup holder, ready for a quiet glide across glassy water. But when you step to the shoreline, something’s off. Sharp shells crunch underfoot. A sign warns of an aquatic nuisance species detection, and parts of the lake are now closed.
That freedom to launch anywhere, anytime? It depends on healthy waterways. Sharp-shelled mussels don’t just hitchhike on big boats. They can cling to your paddleboard’s fin, hide in your leash plug, or travel in a few drops of leftover water.
If they spread, they choke out native fish and plants, clog ramps and water systems, and force managers to close lakes or limit access just to contain the damage. Once they take hold, they’re nearly impossible to remove.
Why stand-up paddlers should care
ANS like zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, and New Zealand mudsnails easily hitch a ride on paddleboards and paddling gear. Once they arrive, they:
- Attach to your board’s hull, deck pad, fin box, paddle or leash.
- Spread silently from one water body to another.
- Damage local ecosystems by crowding out native plants and animals.
- Clog intake pipes, irrigation systems and infrastructure.
- Force temporary or seasonal closures at popular lakes and reservoirs to slow the spread.
- Once established, they’re nearly impossible to remove — so prevention is our strongest defense.
What you can do — every time you paddle
Whether you’re racing across a big reservoir or doing sunrise SUP yoga, these three steps protect the waters you love:
Clean. Drain. Dry.
After every paddle session:
- Clean your board thoroughly with fresh water. Pay close attention to the deck pad, hull, leash plug, fin box, and any bungees where debris or water might hide.
- Remove and rinse your fin and paddle. Mud, plants or critters can easily cling here.
- Drain any water from inflatable SUP chambers or dry bags.
- Dry your board and gear completely before paddling in a new lake or river. Even a few drops left inside a seam or leash plug can transport invaders.
Plan ahead
- Check CPW’s cleaning station map before your trip.
- Build a few extra minutes into your trip to use on-site cleaning resources when available.
Before or after your trip:
- Stop at the gear-cleaning station and give your paddleboard and gear a rinse.
- Follow the posted signage to ensure you’re cleaning effectively.
- Make this step part of your paddling routine.
- It only takes a few minutes, but it protects our rivers for future trips.
Be the eyes on the water
If you see any unusual plants or small creatures clinging to your paddleboard, report it to CPW immediately. Early detection can stop the spread before it starts.
Respect the river. Protect the future.
Everyone who recreates in Colorado shares responsibility for protecting Colorado’s waters. By cleaning your paddleboard and using CPW’s cleaning stations, you’re not just following best practices; you’re helping to ensure that these rivers remain open, accessible, and healthy for everyone.
Taking Your Boat?
CPW’s Commission passed regulations requiring mandatory watercraft inspection and, when necessary, decontamination of all boats coming in from out of state, leaving known positive waters in Colorado, and entering a high-risk water where inspections and decontaminations are required by the managing agency. These rules have set the standard for watercraft inspection, decontamination, impoundment, sampling, monitoring, identification and reporting. Find a Colorado Boat Inspection Station near you.
Written by Travis Duncan. Travis is a public information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife in Denver. Photos and video by Forrest Czarnecki.