Anglers and outdoor water recreators can help track nonnative species in our local waters using a new non-native species reporting app being released by the Middle Colorado Watershed Council. Users of the new app will identify where they encountered a nonnative species and allow them to upload the specific location and a description and photo of the identified species. The real-time notification will be reviewed internally and then shared with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).

The user-friendly platform for monitoring and reporting was developed by Tom Baldvins from the Colorado Natural History Program (CNHP) at CSU using ArcGIS and Survey 1-2-3. Citizen science programs like this reporting app are useful to help aquatic resource managers track invasions of non-native species in areas they may not have the time or resources to cover.

The information will reside on a centralized database to store the reported sightings. Data analytics will identify patterns and trends in nonnative species occurrences, aiding in informed decision-making for planning and mitigation strategies. Early detection of these nuisance species can be instrumental in developing a removal plan before invaders become established.

CPW will use this information for managing these species in the Middle Colorado and Roaring Fork watersheds. The Middle Colorado River runs from the east end of Glenwood Canyon to De Beque. The Roaring Fork watershed includes the Crystal and Frying Pan rivers.

The application can also function as an educational tool that provides background information, identification characteristics, and pictures of the nuisance species.

Aquatic resource managers at Colorado Parks and Wildlife have identified priority invaders of top concern. The reportable species in the app are separated into three categories: vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants. 

Vertebrates include fish species such as northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye, burbot, and striped bass. These fish species can predate on and outcompete native species. Northern pike, smallmouth bass, and walleye are especially dangerous because they can reproduce successfully within the river system.

Harvest of smallmouth bass and northern pike in flowing waters within the watershed tributaries are encouraged due to the threats they pose to native fish populations. Unlimited bag and possession limits are also in place for walleye within the Colorado River. There are also opportunities to harvest these species in lakes and reservoirs; some lakes and reservoirs have water-specific regulations for these species, so anglers are encouraged to review Colorado’s fishing regulations for more details on specific species or waters (https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/Fishing.aspx). Anglers must possess a valid Colorado fishing license.

Invertebrate species include zebra and quagga mussels, rusty crayfish, and New Zealand mud snails. Invertebrate species are typically exceedingly small, easily transferable, and can be highly devastating to ecosystems.

Follow the principles of rinse, drain, dry of all gear, equipment, and boats to ensure invasive aquatic invertebrates are not transferred. The rusty crayfish may not be transported alive from waters west of the Continental Divide. For more information: https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/ISP-You-Can-Help.aspx

Eurasian watermilfoil is the only aquatic plant species currently reportable on this app. This plant species creates vast mats of vegetation throughout the water column. Watermilfoil is the worst noxious aquatic weed in Colorado and is often

Fish species of concern in the reporting app were introduced illegally through aquarium dumping. If you witness someone introducing fish or aquarium species to a body of water, contact Operation Game Thief at 1-877-COLO-OGT [ 1-877-265-6648] or email game.thief@state.co.us

Paula Stepp is executive director of the Middle Colorado Watershed Council.