Nearly 10000 Boats Were Inspected Across Utah Over The Fourth Of July Weekend

Lake Powell remained one of the focal points of Utah's fight against aquatic invasive species during the busy Fourth of July holiday weekend, as state and federal crews inspected hundreds of boats to help prevent the spread of destructive mussels and invasive plants to other waterways across Utah.

From Friday through Monday, aquatic invasive species technicians with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah State Parks, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the National Park Service and Utah Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officers inspected 9,847 watercraft statewide and conducted 386 decontaminations. Lake Powell accounted for a significant share of that activity, with 985 boat inspections and 100 decontaminations performed at inspection stations in the area.

Effort To Keep Quagga Mussels Confined To Lake Powell

The effort is designed to keep quagga mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil from spreading from Lake Powell and other infested reservoirs into Utah's uninfested lakes and reservoirs. With Lake Powell serving as one of the state's busiest boating destinations during the summer, officials say inspections in southern Utah play a critical role in protecting waterways throughout the state.

Quagga Mussels - Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Officers also cited several violations of Utah's aquatic invasive species laws over the holiday weekend. The most common problems included boaters failing to complete the required mussel-aware boater education course, failing to pay the aquatic invasive species fee for motorized boats and transporting boats without first removing their drain plugs.

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"We always love to see Utahns and those visiting from out of state enjoying Utah's beautiful waterbodies," Utah Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Aquatic Invasive Species Statewide Operations Lt. Bruce Johnson said in a press release. "We are thankful for those who take the time to be aware and prepared before hitting the water, because it takes all of us to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in Utah."

Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Utah currently has more than 40 aquatic invasive species inspection stations, including locations at boat ramps and along major highways. Two of the state's five decontamination dip tanks are located at Lake Powell, with facilities at the Stateline Launch Ramp at Wahweap Marina and Bullfrog Marina. Those locations are especially important because Lake Powell is the only Utah waterbody known to contain established populations of quagga mussels.

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Officials warn that quagga mussels can clog water delivery systems, damage boat engines and disrupt aquatic ecosystems, while Eurasian watermilfoil spreads rapidly, chokes out native vegetation and can clog irrigation systems and foul boat propellers. Because both invasive species are extremely difficult and expensive to eradicate once established, officials continue urging boaters to have their watercraft inspected and decontaminated whenever required before traveling to another lake or reservoir.