Lake Tahoe, CA/NV – Inspection stations are scheduled to open with COVID-19 precautions in place between June 26 and July 1. As regional travel and tourism restrictions ease, the watercraft inspection team is staffing up, training personnel, and preparing inspection stations to open to boaters coming from neighboring areas and around the western U.S. Precautions being made are intended to protect inspectors, boaters, and local communities from the spread of novel coronavirus. We appreciate everyone’s patience as inspectors prepare the four off-site inspection stations to open under unprecedented circumstances.
“Lake Tahoe’s aquatic invasive species program is critical to protect the very reason that people love to recreate on Lake Tahoe,” TRPA Executive Director Joanne S. Marchetta said. “It’s paramount that watercraft inspectors and boaters remain safe during the inspections and we appreciate the boating community’s cooperation during these unprecedented times.”
Any boat with an intact Lake Tahoe inspection seal can proceed to launch now at area boat ramps or marinas. Sealed boats do not need an inspection because the unique wire seal attached to the boat and trailer ensure that Lake Tahoe was the last place it was launched.
For further information on watercraft inspections, Contact Us.
Heads up paddlers! We remind you to play it safe and make sure your gear is Clean, Drained and Dry. Always wear your life jacket, and use the Lake Tahoe Water Trail website https://laketahoewatertrail.org/ to find launch/landing sites, mapped paddle routes, water safety tips, and weather conditions. Learn how to self-inspect your gear to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by becoming a Tahoe Keeper https://tahoeboatinspections.com/tahoe-keepers/about-tahoe-keepers/.
The Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Program is implemented by 40 public and private partner organizations, including federal, state, and local jurisdictions, research partners, public utility districts, and private marinas. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District lead the program in collaboration with the public and private partners. The program’s mission is to prevent, detect, and control aquatic invasive species in the Region so that future generations can enjoy Lake Tahoe.
For Non-Motorized Watercraft
Users of non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks and paddleboards, are subject to different policies than motorized. TRPA recommends non-motorized boaters review and comply with COVID-19 closure orders and recommendations at their intended launch area. The agency reminds paddlers to always self-inspect and decontaminate watercraft and gear every time they exit a waterway and properly dispose of any plants or debris that are found. Guidelines require all craft to be Clean, Drained, and Dry to limit the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Additional Background
Aquatic invasive species can have devastating environmental and economic impacts on industries, communities, and native species populations. Watercraft are the largest source for spreading aquatic invasive species into new waterways. Under the Lake Tahoe watercraft inspection program, every motorized watercraft is inspected to ensure it is Clean, Drained, and Dry and not carrying invasive species before launching at Lake Tahoe. Thanks to the diligence of boaters and inspectors, no new aquatic invasive species have been detected in Lake Tahoe since the program launched in 2008.