How Utah Defended Its Waterways: Battling Invasive Quagga Mussels

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), in partnership with various state and federal agencies, took extensive measures in 2024 to prevent the spread of invasive quagga mussels in Utah’s waterways. Efforts to inspect and decontaminate boats across the state aimed to keep this invasive species contained, as Lake Powell remains Utah’s only infested waterbody.

Since the start of the year, DWR, along with Utah State Parks, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the National Park Service, has inspected nearly 300,000 boats statewide and conducted over 6,000 decontaminations. At Lake Powell alone, where the threat is highest, 58,594 inspections and 1,200 decontaminations took place, underscoring the importance of this effort to prevent further spread.

These numbers represent a significant increase in inspections and decontaminations compared to last year, with a rise from 268,630 inspections in 2023. Utah’s five dip tanks, located at Lake Powell, Utah Lake, Sand Hollow, and Willard Bay State Parks, contributed to 1,791 of the total decontaminations. Installed in 2023, the Utah Lake State Park dip tank handled the most decontaminations this year, with 825 boats processed. According to DWR Sgt. Krystal Tucker, these dip tanks have been instrumental in handling complex boat decontaminations more efficiently, and future plans include adding a new dip tank at Flaming Gorge’s Lucerne Valley Marina.

DWR

The 2024 season also saw an uptick in enforcement, with 1,239 citations and warning citations issued for violations of Utah’s invasive species laws, a sharp rise from 455 violations in 2023. Many of these violations stemmed from boaters failing to complete the mandatory education course, pay the vessel-enrollment fee, stop at inspection stations, or remove drain plugs during transport. Sgt. Tucker expressed appreciation for boaters’ overall compliance, reminding Utahans that planning ahead—by completing the education course and displaying required decals—will help ensure smooth future boating seasons.

Preventing quagga mussel infestations is crucial, as these invasive mollusks can cause severe environmental and economic damage. They clog water lines, even those of large diameter, and pose risks to Utah’s water delivery systems, which could cost millions of dollars annually to maintain. Additionally, quagga mussels deplete plankton, harming fish populations and disrupting the aquatic food chain. They can also damage boat engines by fouling cooling systems. When they die, large numbers of mussels create a foul odor, and their sharp shells can be hazardous to people walking along affected beaches.

Boaters are reminded of Utah’s dry-time regulations to prevent inadvertent spread. Boats must dry for seven days in summer, 18 days in fall, and 30 days in winter, with wakeboard boats always requiring a 30-day dry time unless properly decontaminated. Sgt. Tucker advises winter boaters, especially those returning from infested waters like Lake Powell, to plan for decontamination before their next launch, as fewer inspection stations are open in colder months.

DWR