Prevention

Help us keep Okanagan waters zebra and quagga mussel free! Help spread the message.
Have "the talk" with neighbours, friends and family.

If you know someone who boats, fishes and travels in and out of our valley with their boat or other water recreation equipment,
ask what they’re doing to help prevent the spread. Make sure they follow the "Clean, Drain, Dry" protocol.

Clean. Drain. Dry. is now part of modern boating etiquette in Canada and the U.S. It has also been adopted as a best practice by B.C. and several U.S. states to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. It’s what anyone should do with their water recreation equipment whenever traveling from one lake, river or stream to another, even if it’s just wading boots that have gotten wet.

Here’s how it works:

CLEAN off all plants, animals and mud from your boat and related equipment (e.g. boots, waders, fishing gear). If a power washing station is available, use it.

DRAIN (on dry land) any item that can hold water (e.g. buckets, wells, bilge and ballast).

DRY all items completely before launching the watercraft into another body of water.

CHECK THESE COMMON HIDING SPOTS FOR INVASIVE SPECIES: