Listen up Inland boaters and those that straddle Ski-Doos and other personal watercraft: Wash your hulls and trailers every time you leave the water and don't jump in another body of water for at least five days after that ....

This may seem like nagging, but in this case, it's the state asking for your help.

State officials are turning to aquatic recreationists to help prevent the spread of an intrusive mussel discovered in the Colorado River and its lakes. Quagga mussels along with their cousins, the zebra mussels, have seriously invaded the Great Lakes region, and messed with the area's ecosystems and fisheries.

With Presidents Day right around the corner, anyone going to Lake Mead or Lake Havasu should take special precautions, especially before dipping their watercrafts into Lake Perris or Diamond Valley Lake. Those pesky mussels can survive for days in just a small amount of water.

Check out these tips on how to wash down your toys. Or call the state's hotline, 866-440-9530, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for information.

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