Watercraft Cleaning to Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species
Preventing the spread of aquatic nuisance species starts with you – the vessel owner. A cooperative effort is necessary by all persons and agencies involved with recreational watercraft use to achieve the best results and protect our aquatic resources and recreational opportunities.
Boats and boat trailers can easily transport aquatic hitchhikers in many different ways. If you don’t clean your vessel, you may introduce aquatic nuisance species to other waters. Also, species such as zebra or quagga mussels can ruin boat engines and jam steering equipment.
Remember: CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY.
Follow these guidelines: While on land, but before leaving a body of water:
DRAIN:
- Drain every conceivable space or item that can hold water.
- Follow factory guidelines for eliminating water from engines. All engines hold water, but jet drives on personal watercraft and other boats can hold extra water.
- Remove the drain plug from boats and put boat on an incline so that the water drains out.
- Drain live-wells, bilge, ballast tanks and transom wells.
- Empty water out of kayaks, canoes, rafts, etc.
CLEAN:
- Remove any visible plant or plant fragments as well as mud or other debris. Plant material, mud and other debris routinely contain other organisms that may be an aquatic nuisance species. Some plant species are aquatic nuisance species.
- Check trailer, including axel and wheel areas – in and around the boat itself: anchor, props and jet engines, ropes, boat bumpers, paddles.
- Clean and check and dry off all parts and equipment that came in contact with water.
- Empty bait buckets into trash. Do not empty any bait fish into the lake or reservoir.
- Using a car wash or home power water sprayer is not adequate to kill and/or remove zebra or quagga mussels.
DRY:
- Allow everything to completely dry before launching into another body of water.