Invasive species found on 14 boats heading to Lake Tahoe so far in 2021

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Boats entering Lake Tahoe can carry unwanted stowaway passengers - aquatic weeds, Asian Clams, zebra and quagga mussels, and other invasive species. The invaders find propellers, cockpits, hatches, outer hulls, rudders, and paddles to hide in, even a boater's gear.

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) pose a serious threat to the recreational and natural resources of the Lake Tahoe watershed and other lakes and waterways around the country. In order to prevent them from getting into Lake Tahoe a robust boat inspection system has been in place around the lake since 2008.

The inspection stations Tahoe have had a busy start to 2021 with 1,089 boats inspected to date. They have also been proving their value with 14 boats already found to be contaminated, and the boating season is still young. In all of 2020, there were 20 contaminated boats found at the inspection stations out of the 5,599 boats that went through.

Of the new contaminations found, seven were mussels and the other seven were other invasive species such as mud snails and invasive weeds like hydrilla.

Aquatic invasive species making their way into Lake Tahoe would devastate Lake Tahoe’s ecosystem and recreational experience and could cost the region $20 million a year.

Even with over 1,000 boats inspected and on the water, there are another 15,000 boats with "Tahoe Only" AIS stickers that do not venture into other waterways.

Inspections are also done on boats headed to Fallen Leaf and Echo lakes.

Kayaks are subject to inspection and can go to the station for a free inspection if they are coming from outside the region. The Aquatic Invasive Species Program managers just ask that all non-motorized watercraft are "Clean, Drain, Dry" before they launch. Paddlecraft owners need to be aware that Fallen Leaf and Echo lakes don’t have some of the invasive species that are already in Tahoe, so learning how to self-inspect and be a Tahoe Keeper is essential to protecting more than just Lake Tahoe.

The Tahoe Keepers free self-inspection and decontamination training program provides paddlers and hand-launched watercraft users with the information needed to help stop the spread of AIS. A training video can be found HERE.

For more information on the AIS program and to book an inspection, visit https://tahoeboatinspections.com/.

The AIS boat program is a joint operation by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District.