DWR Busy With Boat Inspections Over Memorial Day Weekend In Utah

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer boating in Utah, and state officials were out in full force to protect Utah’s waters from aquatic invasive species, particularly those from Lake Powell. The Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), and partnering agencies inspected over 10,000 boats between Friday and Monday, with 1,829 inspections and 63 decontaminations conducted in the Lake Powell area alone.

Lake Powell remains a primary concern in the fight against aquatic invasive species, including quagga mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil. Quagga mussels, once introduced, can clog water lines, damage boat engines, and disrupt aquatic ecosystems. Their presence can also lead to millions of dollars in annual maintenance costs for water systems. Meanwhile, Eurasian watermilfoil spreads rapidly, forming dense mats that block sunlight and out compete native plants, ultimately damaging aquatic habitats and interfering with recreation.

DWR

To combat the spread, DNR and its partners have installed five free dip tanks around the state that simplify and speed up the decontamination process for complex boats. Two of these are located at Lake Powell—one at the Stateline Launch Ramp at Wahweap Marina and another recently added at Bullfrog Marina in May 2024.

All Watercraft Required To Verify Inspectcion

“Even watercraft that have been inspected at Lake Powell are required to stop at operating mandatory inspection stations to verify their inspection,” Lt. Bruce Johnson of the DNR said in a press release. “We want to thank all the boaters for their support and cooperation with our aquatic invasive species staff.”

Unfortunately, DNR officers still recorded 113 violations, primarily from boaters failing to take the mandatory mussel-aware boater course, not paying the aquatic invasive species fee, or failing to remove drain plugs during transport.

DWR

Boaters are encouraged to visit the STD of the Sea website to find decontamination station locations and ensure compliance with all regulations before hitting the water this summer.