New boat dip tanks coming to Utah waters in fight against invasive species

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — In 2021, the first-of-its kind boat decontamination dip tank was installed at Lake Powell to aid in the fight against invasive quagga mussels.

Since then, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Clean Wake LLC, and Utah State Parks have installed four more dip tanks across the Beehive State, including the newest instillations at Willard Bay State Park and the Lake Powell Bullfrog Marina.

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How does a dip tank work?

The dip tanks were created in 2021 to provide a faster, more efficient way to decontaminate complex boats to prevent the spread of invasive mussels. It uses a tank, pumphouse, and heating and filtration system and was awarded a patent in the U.S. and Canada the following year, the DWR said.

Rather than requiring people to climb around and under boats to manually spray hot water during inspections and decontaminations, the dip tank allows boaters to back their watercraft on a trailer into the 14-foot wide, 5-foot deep tank of 110 degree water.

The process more effectively and thoroughly flushes complex intake systems, the DWR said.

The whole process only takes boaters about 5-10 minutes, however it does require at least two people — one to back the boat trailer into the tank and the other to operate the vessel’s systems.

Additionally, the filtration and pump systems turn over the water in the tank every two hours to keep it clean.

DWR Aquatic Invasive Species Lt. Bruce Johnson called the dip tanks “invaluable.”

“The dip tank systems have been invaluable in our efforts to stop the spread of invasive quagga mussels and other invasive species,” he said. “It is much more effective and faster at decontaminating boats with complex systems and requires less training for our staff.”

The dip tanks are all free to use and are typically close to either the entrance of a state park or near a boat ramp. Dip tanks have been installed at the following locations around Utah:

• Lake Powell — Stateline Launch Ramp at Wahweap Marina

• Utah Lake State Park

• Sand Hollow State Park

• Lake Powell — Bullfrog Marina

• Willard Bay State Park

All five dip tanks — including the new Bullfrog and Willard Bay locations — will be operational by Memorial Day weekend and will be open until Labor Day weekend. A sixth dip tank will be installed at the Flaming Gorge Reservoir Lucerne Valley Marina at the end of the summer.

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