Michigan Invasive Species Grant (MISG) Project
If you've visited a local boat launch this summer, you may have seen one of our seasonal crew members out and about, educating folks on how to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. (You can learn more about aquatic and terrestrial invasive species that are posing a risk to our area here.) Thanks to funding from the Michigan DNR, MDARD, and EGLE, we’re also decontaminating boats and other watercraft by washing them using a heated pressure washer. The decontamination process only takes a minute (literally—it’s very quick!) but goes a long way toward keeping our waters safe. If you’re interested in having your boat washed, be sure to drop by one of the scheduled locations listed below where our pressure washer will be stationed; click on the locations for directions to each.
Friday, March 16 & Saturday, March 17 | City of Manistique Launch
Friday, March 23 & Saturday, March 24 | Nahma Boat Launch
Sunday, MarcH 25 & Monday, March 26 | Little Fishdam Boat Launch
Friday, March 30 & Saturday, March 31 | McDonald Lake Boat Launch
Common Boater Questions
How long do the boat decontaminations take? Only a minute, if that! It's a very quick, low-hassle process.
Are there any additives in the water used for boat decontaminations? Our pressure washer uses plain tap water with no additional additives. Instead of relying on chemicals, the pressure washer heats the water to about 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which is enough to kill any potential invasive hitchhikers.
Is there a chance my boat will be damaged from being decontaminated? Your boat will be a bit cleaner, but that's it! We spray the heated water from a distance that's adequate enough to kill any invasive hitchhikers, but far enough away to avoid doing any damage to the watercraft.
I only ever take my boat into the same body of water. Why does it need to be decontaminated? Even if you're not moving your boat from lake to lake, there may already be invasive species in the waterbody you recreate in. The spread of these species can be increased if they're moved via boat to new areas, even within the same waterbody, so it remains important to clean your boat between uses. It also helps normalize important AIS preventative habits, which goes a long way toward convincing other boaters to decontaminate their own crafts and equipment.
How long does my boat need to dry between uses? Aquatic invasive species can survive up to five days out of the water, so that's the recommended drying time for your boat between uses. However, this obviously isn't always feasible, and wiping your boat down with a bleach-water solution is a good at home decontamination alternative.
How long do the boat decontaminations take? Only a minute, if that! It's a very quick, low-hassle process.
Are there any additives in the water used for boat decontaminations? Our pressure washer uses plain tap water with no additional additives. Instead of relying on chemicals, the pressure washer heats the water to about 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which is enough to kill any potential invasive hitchhikers.
Is there a chance my boat will be damaged from being decontaminated? Your boat will be a bit cleaner, but that's it! We spray the heated water from a distance that's adequate enough to kill any invasive hitchhikers, but far enough away to avoid doing any damage to the watercraft.
I only ever take my boat into the same body of water. Why does it need to be decontaminated? Even if you're not moving your boat from lake to lake, there may already be invasive species in the waterbody you recreate in. The spread of these species can be increased if they're moved via boat to new areas, even within the same waterbody, so it remains important to clean your boat between uses. It also helps normalize important AIS preventative habits, which goes a long way toward convincing other boaters to decontaminate their own crafts and equipment.
How long does my boat need to dry between uses? Aquatic invasive species can survive up to five days out of the water, so that's the recommended drying time for your boat between uses. However, this obviously isn't always feasible, and wiping your boat down with a bleach-water solution is a good at home decontamination alternative.