CLEAN. DRAIN. DRY.

More than 600 bodies of water in the U.S. are infested with quagga and/or zebra mussels. They cause millions of dollars of damage to boat and water systems by clogging pipes and engines. They also impact the native ecosystem and sport fisheries. Quagga mussels were discovered at Lake Mead in 2007, but so far the introduction of zebra mussels has been prevented. Over the past decade, the park has taken aggressive measures to mitigate their spread.

Your Actions Matter

Before you enter and after you leave the waters of Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, CLEAN. DRAIN. DRY.

Mud, plants and animals that may be lurking on your watercraft, trailer, equipment or on your vehicle will cause the spread of invasive mussels. YOU can stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. Help keep quagga mussels out of other lakes and keep new invasives from entering Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. Clean Drain Dry anything that comes in contact with water (boats, trailers, vehicles, equipment, clothing, dogs, etc.).

CLEAN.

Remove all plants, animals, and mud from your boat, anchor, boots and other equipment before you enter and after you leave the water. If traveling to another body of water, rinse equipment and boat hulls with high-pressure, hot water at one of the park's hot water wash stations (see below).

DRAIN.

Before leaving the park, drain all the water from your boat, including the motor, bilge, livewell, ballast, hull and anything else that traps water. Leave drain plugs out during transport.

DRY.

Dry all compartments and equipment completely before entering another body of water.

 

IT'S THE LAW - Remove Your Drain Plug

Lake Mead and Lake Mohave are located in both Arizona and Nevada. Each state has sightly different regulations. You are required to follow each state's rules when on the water. If you launch in Arizona and cross into Nevada, you must follow Nevada regulations, and vice versa.

It is illegal to transport or possess aquatic invasive species in Nevada and Arizona. In both states, you must remove boat drain plugs when you leave the water.

IN NEVADA

All in and out-of-state motorized watercraft as well as most paddle-craft, such as canoes and kayaks are required to display a Nevada AIS decal. Paddle-craft, such as stand-up paddle boards and float tubes are exempt from the decal requirement. Only Arizona registered vessels are exempt. All vessels registered in Nevada, any other state and non-registered Arizona paddle-craft (canoes, kayaks, etc.) must display the NDOW AIS decal.

For more information and to purchase a decal, visit http://www.ndow.org/Boat/Aquatic_Invasive_Species/Decal_Information/.

IN ARIZONA

For more information on Arizona's aquatic invasive species laws, visit https://www.azgfd.com/Fishing/InvasiveSpecies/.

 

Quagga Removal

Hot water above 140 degrees has been proven to be effective in killing quagga mussels. Hot water wash stations are located throughout the park. All boaters are encouraged to use them.

Boats moored and slipped at park marinas are required to have their boat inspected and hot washed before leaving the park.
AIS Acknowledgement Form

IN NEVADA

The Nevada Department of Wildlife offers free aquatic invasive species removal at four hot water wash stations:

• Hemenway Harbor (open 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. 7 days a week)
• Callville Bay (open 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. 7 days a week)
• Cottonwood Cove (open 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wed-Sun)

Drive-ins are welcome. For larger boats, an appointment is recommended. Call 702-757-5757 or 702-575-5005.

IN ARIZONA

Marina personnel at Katherine Landing, Temple Bar and Willow Beach offer hot water wash services by appointment only. Fees vary, depending on the size of the vessel and the amount of quaggas present.

 

The Surface Project

Invasive Species