March 2022 - 34

Aquatic invasive species check stations like this one at the Evanston port of entry are important to keep AIS from coming into Wyoming, but so is awareness by the public not to transfer established AIS
within the state. (Photo by Chris Martin/WGFD)
F
or the first time ever, aquatic invasive species were found
in Wyoming's largest body of water. Curly pondweed and
New Zealand mudsnails were detected and verified in
Flaming Gorge Reservoir in southwest Wyoming last summer.
In 2021 Game and Fish AIS personnel
inspected more than 68,000 watercraft at
check stations throughout Wyoming, which
included 924 decontaminations. The goal of
the inspection program is to keep AIS out of
the state and to limit the spread within its
boundaries, with a larger focus on preventing
destructive zebra and quagga mussels from
sneaking on a boat. Mussels have not been
found in any natural water in Wyoming
to date.
However, the discovery of curly pondweed
and New Zealand mudsnails in Flaming
Gorge is the latest example that AIS can and
is being transported within state boundaries.
This isn't a new concern for Game and Fish,
34 | March 2022
but it hammers home the issue since these
were found in Wyoming's largest reservoir,
which features a diverse fishery and is popular
among boaters and outdoor enthusiasts.
" The discovery of these AIS in the
Flaming Gorge Reservoir highlights the need
to reengage our constituents recreating in
multiple waters within the state in a short
time period the importance of clean, drain,
dry and self-inspecting of their own boats, "
said Josh Leonard, Game and Fish statewide
AIS coordinator.
The impacts of curly pondweed and
New Zealand mudsnails in Flaming Gorge
are uncertain at this point, although early
indications suggest impacts may be minimal.
Yet, it reinforces the importance for public
awareness and preventative measures to
keep zebra and quagga mussels out of
Wyoming waters, as their introduction
could cost millions of dollars in damage to
the environment and municipalities.
" What is worrisome is if AIS like curly
pondweed and New Zealand mudsnails are

March 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2022

March 2022 - 1
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2024
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2024
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2024-e-edition
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/december-2023
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/may-iak-special-issue
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/dec-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2021
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/January2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/December2020
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