Aquatic Nuisance Species New Zealand mudsnails confirmed in Carter Lake

August 17, 2026
 

Aquatic Nuisance Species New Zealand mudsnails confirmed in Carter Lake

 

LOVELAND, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife has confirmed the presence of New Zealand mudsnails in Carter Lake in Larimer County. This is the first time the aquatic nuisance species has been identified in the reservoir. Signs will be posted at Carter Lake to notify the public and encourage proper equipment cleaning. To limit potential further spread, watercraft that have boated on Carter Lake should expect thorough inspections and, in some cases, decontamination when arriving at other bodies of water. 

New Zealand mudsnails, or NZMS, are tiny, dark brown snails not native to Colorado, and they have been detected in several Front Range waterways. NZMS compete with native aquatic species for food and can cause harm to the environment. The snails can reproduce through cloning.

Boaters and swimmers can limit the spread of aquatic nuisance species by thoroughly cleaning, draining and drying all gear before using it in another body of water.

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