watercraft inspections

Watercraft Inspection Stations are Idaho’s first-line of defense against the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). Overland travel of contaminated watercraft and equipment is believed to be the single largest vector for AIS movement from one water system to the next. 

Inspection Stations

Idaho’s inspection stations are placed on major highways at or near the Idaho state line. This strategy is taken to maximize contact with boats that are traveling into the state from other impacted states.

High-Risk Watercraft Inspections

High-risk inspections are intense and include a thorough inspection of the exterior and interior parts of the boat. The inspection includes a thorough and complete visual and tactile inspection of all portions of the boat, including compartments, bilge, trailer and any equipment, gear, ropes or anchors.

If any biological material is found on the boat or equipment, the inspectors conduct a roadside “hotwash” of the watercraft. This is done to prevent the spread of other invasive species such as New Zealand mudsnail, Eurasian watermilfoil, and hydrilla.

More than 500,000 inspections have been conducted in Idaho under this program since 2009. Through these inspections, 218 mussel-fouled boats have been intercepted in Idaho since July of 2009.

Boats Considered “High-risk” to the state of Idaho

  • Boats that have been in mussel-infested states recently (within the last 30 days).
  • Watercraft coming from another state (especially commercially hauled boats).
  • Boats that show a lot of dirt, grime, or slime below the waterline.
  • Boats that have standing water on board.
Removed on April 25th, 2016.  Mussels where attached to a used, recently-purchased vessel which was sold at auction in Las Vegas. 

Removed on April 25th, 2016.  Mussels where attached to a used, recently-purchased vessel which was sold at auction in Las Vegas. 

2018 Inspection Station Information

The 2018 boating season has started, and inspection stations are now opening throughout the state. Below is a list of the stations for 2018 with some basic information that will be collected during the season.

In addition to the listed inspection station locations, watercraft are inspected during the boating season at roving roadside inspection stations spread throughout the state. These additional inspections help ISDA better understand the boating public, and potential vectors of introduction into Idaho. Click on the tab below to view additional information collected at the inspection stations, and other projects by ISDA.

Inspection Station # Inspections Fouled Boats Opening Date
Albeni Falls 7,509 - Open
Bruneau 2,732 - Open
Cedars 9,244 11 Open
Clark Fork 4,320 1 Open
Cotterel 3,693 8 Open
Dubois 1,131 - Open
Franklin 3,622 - Open
Huetter 12,102 1 Open
Hwy 12 469 - Open
Hwy 20 4,832 - Open
Hwy 51 264 - Open
Hwy 53 4,378 - Open
Hwy 87 4,908 - Open
Hwy 93 1,992 7 Open
Malad 5,649 8 Open
Marsing 1,952 3 Open
North Fork 2,548 - Open
Redfish Lake 1,504 - Open
Rose Lake 2,891 - Open
Samuels 4,350 1 Open
Roving Crew 1 (Southwest) 576 - Open
Roving Crew 2 (North) 502 - Open
Roving Crew 3 (Southeast) 136 - Open
Cocolalla Lake 711 - Open
Henry's Lake 1,825 - Open
Season Totals 83,840 45
* 5 Fouled boats found by ISDA field staff

Fouled Boat Information for 2018 

Fouled Boat # Location Found Origin Destination State Date Found
1 Hwy 93 Lake Havasu, AZ Montana 2/20/2018
2 Hwy 93 Lake Pleasant, AZ Idaho 3/1/2018
3 Marsing Imperial Reservoir, AZ Idaho 3/9/2018
4 ISDA Lake Pleasant, AZ Idaho 3/20/2018
5 ISDA Lake Pleasant, AZ Idaho 3/20/2018
6 ISDA Lake Pleasant, AZ Idaho 3/20/2018
7 ISDA Lake Pleasant, AZ Idaho 3/20/2018
8 Marsing Lake Havasu, AZ Washington 3/22/2018
9 Malad Lake Havasu, AZ Montana 3/30/2018
10 Cedars Pepin Lake, MN Washington 3/31/2018
11 Malad Lake Havasu, AZ Idaho 4/3/2018
12 Malad Lake Pleasant, AZ Montana 4/14/2018
13 Cedars Lake Huron, MI Washington 4/20/2018
14 Malad Lake Mead, NV Idaho 5/2/2018
15 Hwy 93 Lake Mead, NV Idaho 5/3/2018
16 Hwy 93 Lake Pleasant, AZ Washington 5/5/2018
17 Cedars Unknown, MI British Columbia 5/5/2018
18 Cedars Lake Erie, OH Washington 5/10/2018
19 Malad Lake Texoma, TX Idaho 5/11/2018
20 Marsing Lake Mohave, AZ Washington 5/11/2018
21 Cotterel Lake Michigan, MI Washington 5/13/2018
22 Cotterel Lake Powell, UT Idaho 5/16/2018
23 Cotterel Lake Powell, UT Idaho 5/22/2018
24 Malad Unknown, UT Idaho 5/22/2018
25 Cotterel Lake Erie, OH Washington 5/23/2018
26 Hwy 93 Lake Mohave, AZ Idaho 5/25/2018
27 Huetter Lake Powell, UT Idaho 6/7/2018
28 Cedars Lake Michigan, MI Washington 6/9/2018
29 Malad Lake Powell, UT Idaho 6/15/2018
30 Cedars Lake Michigan, MI Washington 6/15/2018
31 Cedars Wabasha, MN Washington 6/16/2018
32 Cotterel Lake Michigan, MI Idaho 6/23/2018
33 Cotterel Unknown Washington 6/24/2018
34 Cotterel Lake Michigan, MI Washington 6/25/2018
35 Cedars Lake Michigan, MI Idaho 6/25/2018
36 Cedars Lake Michigan, MI British Columbia 6/29/2018
37 Clark Fork Lake of the Ozarks, MO Idaho 7/3/2018
38 Malad Lake Powell, UT Washington 7/3/2018
39 Cedars Lake Michigan, IL Washington 7/7/2018
40 Hwy 93 Lake Mohave, AZ Idaho 7/10/2018
41 Cotterel Lake Powell, UT Oregon 7/13/2018
42 Cedars Lake Erie, OH Washington 7/19/2018
43 Samuels Muskegon River, MI Washington 7/21/2018
44 Hwy 93 Las Vegas, NV British Columbia 8/2/2018
45 ISDA Lake Powell, UT Idaho 8/12/2018

Banner and Photos: Idaho State Department of Agriculture.