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Yellowstone mulls some boating restrictions in wake of invasive aquatic species

Because of the park's location, the introduction of invasive mussels could put the currently mussel-free waters downstream in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho at risk.

By Angeli Gabriel Source FOX Weather

FILE: Yellowstone National Park

A look at the United States' first National Park: Yellowstone.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. – Mussels that have caused "irreversible" damage to other parts of the U.S. are now at Yellowstone National Park’s doorstep, causing park officials to consider restrictions on watercraft at the park.

Native to Eastern Europe, zebra and quagga mussels are highly invasive and pose a variety of threats, according to the National Park Service. Some of the threats include obstructing the flow of drinking water by clogging up pipes and destroying boat engines. 

The mussels also quickly reproduce in large numbers, which makes keeping them in check a considerable challenge.

Mussels that have colonized an area of land. (California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways / FOX Weather)

"Mussels have caused irreversible ecological damage and extensive impacts to infrastructure and recreation in waterways throughout the Midwestern and Eastern United States, as well as in the lower Colorado River Basin," the NPS said.

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One of the ways the mussels spread is by attaching themselves onto watercraft, which can carry the mussels from one body of water to another.

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The prop on this boat motor at Lake Mead is covered with quagga mussels.  Mussels can clog the water intakes on a prop.  That can cause the motor to overheat and can seize the motor.  The result can be thousands of dollars in repairs. (California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways)

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Mussels attached to the side of a boat that was removed from Lake Mead. March 2009. (National Park Service)

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Part of boat covered in zebra mussels. (Texas Parks and Wildlife)

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Mussels. (California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways)

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A boat propeller covered in zebra mussels, from Lewis and Clark Lake in South Dakota. (Sam Stukel / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

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Aquatic invasive species technicians decontaminating a motorized boat and trailer. (Jacob W. Frank / National Park Service)

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Mussels, with dime for scale. (California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways)

Park officials want to prevent this from occurring in Yellowstone National Park, which is located at the headwaters of the Yellowstone, Snake and Missouri drainages. Because of its location, the NPS said the introduction of mussels at the park could put the currently mussel-free waters downstream in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho at risk.

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Officials have proposed a few measures:

  • A 30-day dry time for motorized boats and sailboats before being placed into park waters.
  • Denying launch of watercraft that have previously been fouled by mussels.
  • Continuing protections that prohibit watercraft with live or dead mussels, along with watercraft with sealed internal ballast tanks.

Aquatic invasive species technicians decontaminating a motorized boat and trailer. (Jacob W. Frank / National Park Service / FOX Weather)

Additionally, the NPS is seeking feedback from the public on how to halt the spread of mussels in park waters. Comments can now be submitted until April 5 online or by mail at:

Yellowstone Center for Resources Attn: AIS Proposed Changes
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

After April 5, park officials will consider all comments received and then come to a final decision in spring 2024.