Boating Precautions

Efforts to stop the zebra mussel from invading Utah could result in longer lines at the entrance stations to Utah’s southern waters and require full cooperation of boat owners.

Those people towing boats to Lake Powell, Sand Hollow and Quail Creek will be asked a series of questions at fee stations this year regarding the use of their boat prior to launching.

If a boat has been used within 30 days of a visit on any water in the Mississippi drainage or on any of the Great Lakes, or any water downstream from Lake Powell along the Colorado River corridor, certain requirements will need to be met.

— First the boat will be visually checked.

— Owners will then be asked to take their boat to a cleaning station where it will be washed in scalding-hot water. The hot water kills zebra mussels.

— If mussels are found, the boat will have to undergo a more thorough cleansing.

— Once a boat has been washed it will then be issued a launch permit.

Owners can avoid any delays by washing their boat thoroughly and then allowing it to sit for five days prior to arriving at a lake.

Wash stations have been set up at Wahweap, Bullfrog and Halls Crossing. Plans are being worked out for washes near Quail Creek and Sand Hollow.

Owners are also being asked to check their boats for the mussels after use in one of the quarantined waters. The small crustaceans can hide in the smallest areas.

Also, before leaving an area where mussels are found, owners should also remove all plant and animal material from boats, trailers and other equipment. And they should drain all water from any livewells, holding tanks and motors.

Dead zebra mussels have already been found on one boat attempting to launch at Lake Powell.

To learn more about the zebra mussel, visit the Web site at www.100thmeridian.org.

(c) 2007 Deseret News (Salt Lake City). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.