Lake Tahoe Boat Inspection Stations Now Open

Clean, Drain, and Dry to pass inspection.

The month of May marks the beginning of boat inspections for Lake Tahoe. The three stations now open are Meyers, Spooner Summit, and Alpine Meadows. The mandatory inspections are designed to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species into the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe.

The invasive species include zebra and quagga mussels, Asian clams, New Zealand mud snails and some plants can be hitchhikers on recreational boats.

Inspectors will be looking for boats that are clean and dry inside bilges, ballast tanks, live wells, and storage compartments. These areas should be free of debris and any items that block full view of the interior. Outdrives should be drained of all water.

If your boat doesn’t pass inspection, it will need “decontamination” with 140 degree water.

Last year there were 5 inspection stations. The Homewood station is closed for the season and the Northstar station will be moved to unnamed location and open May 21, 2015. The three existing stations are open from 8:30am to 5:30pm, seven days a week.

All motorized boats are subject to inspection and fees. Paddlers and hand launched boats are exempted, though the interior should be dry to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.

More information can be obtained at the Tahoe Boat Inspections website.