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EDMONTON — As the Athabasca and Clearwater rivers begin to open up, many in the community start to think about summer boating. This year provincial officials are also ramping up efforts to prevent aquatic invasive species from entering Alberta’s waterways.
The Alberta government says preparations are underway for the 2026 boating season, with mandatory watercraft inspections set to resume May 1 through Sept. 30 at key entry points along the province’s eastern and southern borders.
All motorized and non-motorized boats entering Alberta must stop at inspection stations. If a station is closed, boaters are required to have their watercraft inspected within seven days and before launching.
Environment Minister Grant Hunter said preventing invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels is critical to protecting ecosystems, infrastructure and the economy.
“Invasive mussels destroy ecosystems, threaten shorelines and can cause hundreds of millions in damage,” Hunter said, adding the province is taking proactive steps to stop them before they enter Alberta waters.
The province will operate a record 12 inspection stations this year and is expanding enforcement tools, including new hot wash decontamination technology and environmental DNA testing to improve early detection.
Officials say a $5-million investment over two years will fund a permanent roadside inspection station near Cold Lake, aimed at improving compliance near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border.
The program is also expanding its use of conservation K-9 units trained to detect invasive mussels. The team is growing from one to three units, capable of identifying microscopic larvae in hard-to-see areas of watercraft.
According to provincial data, nearly 22,000 boats were inspected in 2025, with 13 found to be carrying invasive mussels. All contaminated vessels entered Alberta from other provinces or the United States.
Officials are reminding boaters to clean, drain and dry their watercraft and to follow inspection requirements to help protect Alberta’s lakes and rivers.
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