Aquatic invasive species can clog water intake pipes and impede the flow of water to municipal water supplies, irrigation operations, and power plants.

All of our education and outreach efforts are designed to help the public to understand the threat that invasive species pose to Whatcom County waters and steps they can take to help prevent their spread.

A prevention program can help stop aquatic invasive species from being introduced.

Quagga and zebra mussels came to North America in the ballast tanks and on the anchor chains of large, transoceanic ships that entered the Great Lakes.

If you have a non-motorized, hand-carried boat (kayak, canoe) do you need a permit to launch on Lake Whatcom or Lake Samish?

If you get a wire seal attached to your boat and trailer when leaving Lake Whatcom, and then come back to Lake Whatcom another day with the tether still intact, will you need to stop at a staffed inspection station?

By educating all Whatcom County boaters and residents, the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program aims to protect: