Utah DWR And Agencies Unite To Safeguard Watercraft From Invasive Mussels

Over the holiday weekend, law enforcement officers and technicians from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and other agencies worked tirelessly to inspect and decontaminate watercraft, aiming to prevent the spread of invasive quagga mussels from Lake Powell and other infested reservoirs. Their efforts are part of a statewide initiative to protect Utah’s waterbodies from these harmful species.

From Friday to Monday, aquatic invasive species technicians from the DWR, Utah State Parks, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the National Park Service inspected nearly 9,600 boats and conducted 159 decontaminations. The Lake Powell area alone saw 1,799 inspections and 41 decontaminations. These measures are critical in preventing quagga mussels from spreading, as they can cause significant ecological and economic damage if they infest new areas.

In addition to inspections, DWR conservation officers issued 149 citations and warnings for violations of Utah's aquatic invasive species laws. Many of these violations were due to boaters failing to complete the mandatory mussel-aware boater program or neglecting to pay the associated aquatic invasive species fee for motorized boats. Another common issue was boaters not removing drain plugs while transporting their watercraft, a simple step crucial for preventing the spread of mussels.

DWR Aquatic Invasive Species Lieutenant Bruce Johnson acknowledged the busy boating season and expressed gratitude to those who complied with the regulations. He encouraged all boaters to visit the "STD of the Sea" website for information on boating requirements and to stay informed.

To further combat the spread of invasive species, the DWR and its partners have installed over 40 inspection stations across Utah and introduced five dip tanks for more efficient decontamination of complex boats. These dip tanks, located near popular waterbodies like Lake Powell and Utah Lake, are free to use and play a vital role in the state's ongoing efforts to protect its waters.

Quagga mussels can cause havoc if introduced in to waterbodies. They can plug water lines, even those lines larger in diameter. They also remove plankton from the water which, in turn, can hurt the fisg species here in Utah. Musssels can also get into a boats cooling system which could damage the engine.

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For a complete list of decontamination stations and more information, boaters are encouraged to visit the "STD of the Sea" website.