Special to the Surveyor

A new gate system that allows boaters to exit the water after scheduled boat ramp hours will be installed at the North Pines boat ramp at Carter Lake by April 15. The North Pines ramp has not yet opened for the boating season.

This will be welcome news for anglers who wish to remain fishing after ramps close for the day, as well as people staying at boat-in backcountry sites who may need to exit the water after hours.

The new gates are a joint endeavor among the Bureau of Reclamation’s Eastern Colorado Area Office, Northern Water and Larimer County Department of Natural Resources.

Preventing ANS

The three agencies, along with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, work collaboratively to prevent aquatic nuisance species (ANS) from infesting the reservoirs. Gates are necessary at ramps to prevent people from illegally launching a boat without first being inspected for ANS, specifically zebra and quagga mussels. An infestation of these mussels could lead to costly damage to water delivery systems, the ecosystem, recreation amenities and other resources.

In 2018, ANS inspectors intercepted 11 boats infested with zebra and quagga mussels at Horsetooth Reservoir – the most of any water body in Colorado last year. They also intercepted one boat infested with invasive mussels at Carter Lake. In total, they inspected 57,114 boats for ANS at both reservoirs in 2018, ensuring these reservoirs remain free of zebra and quagga mussels.

Boat Ramp Hours

Select boat ramps at Carter Lake opened for the season on Monday, April 1. To view current boat ramp hours, please visit www.larimer.org/boating.