Boating and Decontamination

Utah Boating Program

Since 1959 the State Boating Program has served to preserve and maintain quality for the best possible boating experiences on Utah’s waterways. The program embraces passionate boating enthusiasts as team members to coordinate and enhance safety, education and facilities to protect waters for your future boating generations. Our efforts are funded through boat registration fees, state taxes on gasoline used in motorboats and federal recreational boating safety funds.

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Life Jackets Required for Every Passenger

Safety Alert: All vessels must be equipped with a properly fitted life jacket for every passenger on board. Per Utah state law, children under the age of 13 are required to wear a lifejacket at all times while the vessel is underway. This mandate applies to all watercraft, including paddleboards and kayaks.

Decontamination Policies and Services

Boaters, including all non-motorized watercraft and Non-Utah residents are required to take the mussel awareness course in order to prevent the spread of invasive species like zebra and quagga mussels. You will be required to show physical proof before launching your watercraft. It is important for all watercraft users to do their part in protecting our waterways and ecosystems by following these regulations.

Decontamination Operating Hours

May through September
7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Daily

October through April
7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Daily

Diptank: Open Seasonally. Two People (Boat Operator and Vehicle Driver) are required to use Diptank.

Quagga Mussels

All out-of-state boats will be inspected before launching.  All ski/wake boats must have drained and dry tanks/bags.  The 30-day dry time or decontamination wash for ALL ski/wake boats with ballast tanks/bags.

PLEASE REMEMBER: When traveling from one lake to another, please be sure to pull your drain plug per Utah state law.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our waters quagga free.

NOTE: Ballast tanks and inboard motors must be dry for 30 days regardless of the season.

Clean, Drain and Dry Schedule

Months of the Year………Out of the Water
March-May…………………………….18 Days
June-August…………………………….7 Days
September-November………………….18 Days
December-February…………………….30 Days
Or 3 consecutive days of freezing temperatures.

For more information regarding Aquatic Invasive Species please visit https://stdofthesea.utah.gov/