Mini-Cassia
Soil and Water Conservation Districts
East Cassia, Minidoka, and West Cassia Soil & Water Conservation Districts
Aquatic Invasive Species
Cotterel Inspection Station
West Cassia Soil & Water Conservation District has been responsible for managing and running the Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection Station on I-84 Northbound. Inspectors at the station ensure all watercraft are clean, drained, dry, and free of invasive mussels, snails, clams, and weeds. The Cotterel Inspection Station is open 24 hours per day. This requires increased manpower and cooperation with the Idaho State Police and the Idaho Transportation Department. West Cassia Supervisors feel that protecting Idaho’s water is a priority. They continue to find ways to conserve our natural resources.
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Idaho has the most river miles in the USA and relies mostly on irrigation to pump water to crops. It would cost billions of dollars a year if our waters were to be infected by zebra and quagga mussels.
To help keep our waters clean, remember to
CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY.
AIS Watercraft
Inspection Stations
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The State of Idaho has 29 Stations, 5 Roving Crews, and 5 Regional Offices. Dates of operation vary from February through December.
The Cotterel Station was open from March to November 2024. Data showed that the Cotterel Station inspected 9,133 watercraft, 378 were from infested waters, 300 were hot-washed, law enforcement returned 343, and 3 watercraft had weeds. As always, we preach “Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat after every use”. ​
Idaho Department of Agriculture partnered with the Idaho State Police. They are on a designated shift just for our station to return any bypasses and educate the public on our state’s laws about stopping to be inspected at all watercraft inspection stations. We ask that you please read signs and know before you go about Idaho state laws on watercraft.
Inspection Requirements
Any citizen traveling past a watercraft inspection station with a watercraft or conveyance must stop.
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Watercraft includes but is not limited to boats, kayaks, paddleboards and other devices used in the water.
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Conveyances include but are not limited to duck decoys, waders, fishing tackle, life jackets and anything that has touched the water.
REQUIRED BY IDAHO LAW- Before transporting any watercraft, operators must remove the drain plug and drain all water, including all internal compartments, such as ballasts, bilges, live wells and motors. All bilge and ballast plugs and other barriers that prevent water drainage from a conveyance must be removed and remain open while a watercraft is transported by land within the state.​​​​​​
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Invasive Species Sticker Information ​
Idaho Invasive species stickers are required for all motorized and non-motorized vessels and that launch in Idaho.
*Before launching a conveyance in Idaho, a nonresident watercraft owner must also purchase an invasive species sticker.
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​​​​What Vessels Need To Have A Sticker?
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Any watercraft coming in from out of state that is not registered in the state of Idaho.
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Any Watercraft including, but not limited to; boats, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, rafts, ect.
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Registered watercraft in the state of Idaho have the invasive species sticker included in the registration. The invasive species sticker must be visible on watercraft
Quagga and Zebra Mussels
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is specifically targeting the invasive Quagga and Zebra mussels, and has set up roadside inspection stations to keep them, and other aquatic invasive species out. These mussels present a significant threat to the waters of Idaho and the region due to their environmental and economic impact. It is estimated that if introduced to Idaho, these mussels would cost more that $94 million annually in direct and indirect impacts to infrastructure, facilities, agriculture, and recreation.
If an Invasive Species is found on the watercraft during inspection, it is hot-washed, and sent on its way. There is no penalty for a mussel-fouled boat at an inspection station, however, there are serious consequences when you fail to stop at an open inspection station.
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By state law, no person shall proceed past or travel through an established inspection station during it's hours of operation while towing, carrying, or transporting any conveyance without presenting such conveyance for inspection. The Idaho Invasive Species Act of 2008. 22-1908
Watercraft Checking Stations
There are 29 roadside inspection stations around Idaho’s borders and other critical areas aimed at preventing the introduction and spread of invasive mussels and weeds into Idaho water systems. These Inspection Stations are Idaho’s first defense against invasive species.
All Watercraft are required to stop for inspection. Watercraft is not simply a ship or boat. There are numerous other watercraft such as jet skis, canoes, tubes, and all rafting boats are required to stop for inspection. These non-motorized watercraft have the highest rate for non-compliance
Idaho Water is Worth Protecting!
Idaho has more than 3,500 miles of rivers famous for fishing and water sports. Idaho is an amazing place where water can be used and enjoyed. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) pose a serious threat to Idaho's valuable water resources. AIS clog and disrupt water delivery, interfere with power generation and recreation, and damage fisheries. It is every citizen’s responsibility to protect and safeguard our water by making prevention a priority.
Some information for this page and the photo above taken from Idaho.maps.arcgis.comwebsite and /invasivespecies.idaho.gov/watercraft-inspection-stations/