The New Boat Washing Stations
- Dustin Ford
- Jul 22
- 2 min read
Michigan is home to thousands of lakes, but did you know you could transfer organisms between them? Historically, the spread of invasive species between the great lake's watershed has been detrimental to local ecosystems. To help prevent cross contaminations, the PPLA has set up new boat wash stations at our public boat launches.
So why is this important? Let’s look at organism that everyone in Berrien County knows, the Zebra Mussel. This shellfish is native to the Black Seas of Russia and Ukraine. An adaptable creature, the Zebra Mussel stowed away in the ballast water of international ships until they found their way into Lake Erie and Lake Huron in the late 80s. They continued to hitchhike from boat to boat until they reach all across the great lakes. These parasites bully native species out of their own food source while devastating local plankton leading to dramatic changes in local food webs. They are also toxic and have historically helped to decline the local Walleye populations.
These organisms are very resourceful and breed quickly, making them almost impossible to completely remove from a lake. We are fighting an uphill battle against Zebra Mussels. When it comes to invasive species, we must be proactive in preventing them from entering our waters. This is why the boat wash stations were installed.
Here’s how you can use the boat wash to stop the spread of unwanted organisms:
Drain and Dry
Make sure that there is no standing water in your boat. Drain all bilges, live wells, and any other receptacle until completely dry. Wipe down any of these with a non-chemical cloth if need be.
Pick and Pitch
Remove any attached vegetation from the boat and trailer. These plants house thousands of organisms. Ensure that all aquatic organisms and bait are also removed. Dispose of this in the nearby trashcan along with any leftover garbage in the vessel.
Scrub and Scrape
Remove any crustations that have latched onto the boat or motor. Please ensure that there are no oil or flued leak left on the vessel.
Return and Replace
These tools are provided as a courtesy to all residents and guests to the lake; please ensure they are returned to their proper position after use.
Be sure to stop by the new boat wash stations before taking off at the Coloma or Watervliet boat launch. A few minutes of your time can make a huge impact on our lake.
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