Water activity rules and regulations
Banff National Park
What are Aquatic Invasive Species?
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are non-native plants, animals, and diseases. Many AIS are harmful to freshwater ecosystems. AIS reproduce quickly, rarely have natural predators and often out-compete native freshwater species. Preventing aquatic invasive species from entering waterways is a Parks Canada priority. Once AIS are established, removal is next to impossible.
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Whirling Disease
Whirling disease is caused by a parasite that causes skeletal deformities of an infected fish’s body or head, usually in young fish, and the tail may appear dark or black. The disease can be spread to other waterbodies through spores in mud. This disease is not harmful to humans or other mammals but can have significant effects on some fish populations, such as Westslope cutthroat trout.
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Invasive mussels
Quagga and Zebra mussels are small, fan-shaped, and range from dark brown to white in colour. Just a few mussels can produce millions of eggs. They are very efficient at filtering nutrients from the water, leaving no food for native species. Dense colonies of mussels can clog water pipes and make the shoreline unusable because of their sharp shells and odour.
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Eurasian water milfoil
Eurasian water milfoil is a perennial, submersed aquatic plant native to Eurasia and North Africa. Although not currently present in Alberta, new colonies can form from a single stem, seed or leaf. Eurasian milfoil forms thick layers that shade native plants and decrease oxygen levels as they decay.
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Didymo
Didymo is a freshwater algae that has the appearance of wet toilet paper and the feel of wet cotton wool. It attaches to rocks in streams and can form into large beige to brown mats that completely cover the stream bottom, blanketing important fish and plant habitat.
Felt-soled wading boots (banned in mountain national parks) and other water gear are a common way for didymo to spread.
Clean, drain, dry, and certify all watercraft and water-related gear before entering a new waterbody to prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
Clean
all mud, sand, plant, and animal materials from your watercraft, gear, and angling equipment.
Drain
all watercraft, gear, and angling equipment before leaving the waterbody.
Dry
for at least 48 hours when last used within AB, BC, NWT, or YT; and at least 30 days when last used outside of AB, BC, NWT, or YT.
Certify
watercraft, gear, and angling equipment by visiting a Parks Canada inspection station or obtaining a self-certification permit.
Getting certified at Banff National Park
Inspection requirements for motorized watercrafts
You must obtain a Parks Canada AIS prevention inspection permit at the Lake Minnewanka inspection station, located 6 km from the town of Banff along the Minnewanka Loop Road. Hours of operation.
Lake Minnewanka is the only waterbody in Banff National Park where boats with motors, both gas and electric, are allowed. There is an unloading ramp and parking area for boats and trailers. There are no public boat docks in the park.
Inspection requirements for non-motorized watercrafts and water recreational gear
Anyone launching non-motorized watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, inflatables, and water-related gear are required to complete an AIS prevention self-certification or inspection permit every time you enter a new lake, river or stream in Banff National Park.
If you are unable to meet the Clean Drain Dry requirements indicated on the AIS Prevention Self-certification Permit, you are prohibited from launching a watercraft in Banff National Park until the permit conditions are met, or your watercraft or water-related gear have been inspected at a Parks Canada watercraft inspection station.
Going fishing? Learn more about fishing regulations in Banff National Park
Where to certify in Banff National Park
Locations details
Watercraft inspection stations
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Banff Visitor Centres |
Lake Louise Visitor Centre |
Park gates
|
Two Jack Lakeside Campground |
Lake Louise Campground |
Baker Creek Chalets |
Boom Lake Trailhead |
Bourgeau Lake Trailhead |
Bow Lake - Day Use Area and near Num-Ti-Ja |
Cascade Ponds |
Fish Creek Trailhead |
Glacier Lake Trailhead |
Hector Lake |
Helen Lake Trailhead |
Herbert Lake |
Howse Trailhead |
Johnson Lake |
Lake Louise (Lake) Canoe Launch and kiosk |
Lake Minnewanka Boat Dock |
Lake Minnewanka Loop Road |
Moraine Lake |
Mosquito Campground Kiosk |
Mosquito Creek Trailhead |
Rampart Campground |
Redearth Creek Trailhead |
Smith/Copper Lake Trailhead |
Taylor Lake Trailhead |
The Bow River - Castle Junction, 5 Mile, Bow Falls, Golf Course Road and Station Restaurant access points, Trans-Canada Highway across from Morant’s Curve (un-named) |
Two Jack Lake and reservoir |
Vermillion Lakes |
Vista Lake Trailhead |
Waterfowl Lakes (Campground, Kiosk and Viewpoint (pullout)) |
Inspection stations
Lake Louise Inspection Station For non-motorized watercraft |
May 17 to May 30: by appointment May 31 to September 30: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 1 to season end: by appointment |
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Lake Minnewanka Inspection Station For non-motorized and motorized watercraft. |
May 1 to May 16: by appointment May 17 to June 6: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7 to September 2: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. September 3 to September 30: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 1 to season end: by appointment |
Watercraft inspections are available at the Lake Louise and Lake Minnewanka inspection stations by appointment starting October 1, 2024.
Appointments must be booked 48 hours in advance.
Inspections can be booked by email or by calling and leaving a message.
For inspections by appointment at the Lake Minnewanka inspection station (motorized and non-motorized watercraft):
bfuaisprevention-eaeprevention@pc.gc.ca
(403) 497- 5821
For inspections by appointment at the Lake Louise inspection station (non-motorized watercraft only):
llykaisprevention-eaeprevention@pc.gc.ca
(250) 939-8131
- Your name and contact information.
- Date of launch.
- Time you would like to have your watercraft inspected.
- Type of watercraft (fishing boat, jon boat, cabin cruiser, pleasure craft, inflatable).
- Propulsion type (outboard, inboard, inboard outboard, trolling, jet, sterndrive).
Please ensure that your watercraft is CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY.
When entering any new waterbody within Banff National Park, users of watercraft and water-related gear must obtain a new AIS Prevention Permit. If you are unable to meet the Clean, Drain, Dry requirements indicated on the AIS Prevention Self-certification Permit, you are prohibited from launching a watercraft in Banff National Park until the permit conditions are met, or your watercraft or water-related gear have been inspected at a Parks Canada watercraft inspection station.
Report aquatic invasive species sightings
Take a picture, note the location, and send it to reportAIS-signalerEAE@pc.gc.ca
Sightings outside of the national parks can be reported to:
1-855-336-2628 (BOAT) in Alberta and 1-888-933-3722 in British Columbia.
More questions? Consult the FAQ for more information.
Related links
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