Crow Wing County Opens AIS Decontamination Station in Crosslake

The Crow Wing County aquatic invasive species (AIS) decontamination station in Crosslake is now officially open to help stop the spread AIS. The station is located at the Crosslake Joint Highway Maintenance Facility off Highway 3 at 13870 Whipple Drive.

To decontaminate your watercraft it consists of rinsing your watercraft with a very hot water rinse. The hot water combined with a high pressure spray is used to kill zebra mussels. No soaps, bleaches, or chemicals are used during the process. The station is operated by DNR-trained and certified inspectors who ensure the process effectively and safely removes or kills AIS.

“Working in partnership with the City of Crosslake, this decontamination station will provide a useful service to boaters,” stated Mark Liedl, Land Services Director. “The entire process takes a short time and will be a valuable tool for limiting the spread of AIS in our lakes and rivers,” he added.

Decontamination’s are available to boaters free of charge, with priority given to boaters who have been referred for decontamination by watercraft inspectors or law enforcement present on area landings. Under DNR guidelines boaters will be referred for decontamination when AIS or other unknown items or materials are discovered, the watercraft has been in the water for more than 24 hours, the watercraft is being transported to a new water body within 24 hours, or if undrainable or unverifiable water is present.

Information about Crow Wing County AIS prevention efforts, including interactive maps to search for the status of area lakes can be found on the web at www.crowwing.us, and search for “AIS.”

The Land Services Department is committed to providing excellent customer service while helping landowners make wise choices that protect Crow Wing County’s extraordinary natural resources. Citizens are encouraged to contact the Land Services Office at (218) 824-1010 or [email protected] to discuss AIS or other land use related activities