What could be better than spending a sunny summer weekend at Georgetown
Lake? Why, protecting our favorite paddling waters from aquatic invasive species (AIS), of course! AIS
are most often moved between waterbodies unintentionally by hitching a ride on our boats and
watersports gear. And by “boat” we mean all kinds of vessels, from motorboats, jet skis, and rafts to
stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes. Invasive species don’t discriminate! Once AIS are
introduced, they are extremely hard to remove and can drastically change the waters we love to
recreate on. They harm ecosystems, prevent boats from navigating, and invasive mussels leave behind
piles of sharp shells that can cut bare feet and even neoprene!
That’s why Invasive Species Action Network (ISAN) and the Western Montana Conservation Commission
(WMCC) are hosting outreach activities for boaters at Georgetown Lake August 3-4, 2024! Find them at
the Grassy Point Picnic Area boat ramp with a wealth of information on AIS and giveaways of tools like
boot brushes, sponges, towels, and dry bags. These tools will assist boaters in CLEANING off any mud or
debris, DRAINING standing water, and thoroughly DRYING all types of watercrafts between uses. ISAN
and WMCC will also be helping boaters use the lake’s brand new CD3 unit to ensure their gear is free of
invasive species. The CD3 unit features a large brush, hose, vacuum, and everything else boaters need to
thoroughly clean all their water toys. Additionally, if you present a recent boat inspection receipt or use
the CD3 unit to clean your watercraft, you’ll be entered to win a Lifetime paddle!
“As outdoor recreators and paddlers, we have a responsibility to protect our favorite places from AIS,”
says Sara Ricklefs, Executive Director of ISAN. “Our goal is to teach recreators how to do just that and
make sure that these simple preventative techniques (like Clean, Drain, Dry between launches and
always stopping at inspection stations) are a cultural norm within the outdoor community.”
When you’re out on the water this summer, don’t forget to Clean, Drain, Dry between waterbodies. And
remember, watercraft inspections and AIS prevention passes are required by law in Montana for ALL
types of boats. If you’re around Georgetown Lake and Grassy Point August 3-4, be sure to stop by and
visit ISAN and WMCC to learn more about AIS prevention, boating best practices, and of course, grab
some of those prevention tools. AIS frequently asked questions and inspection station directions can
also be found at cleanboater.org.