Frequently asked questions

Parks Canada manages Waterton Lakes National Park consistent with the expectations of Canadians as reflected in the Waterton Lakes National Park Management Plan and the Canada National Parks Act.

As identified in the Canada National Parks Act’s General Regulations section 7(1), the Superintendent may, where it is necessary for the proper management of the park to do so, designate certain activities, uses or entry and travel in areas in a Park as restricted or prohibited.

A mandatory inspection program ran from 2021 to 2023, but Parks Canada continued to see low compliance and willful non-compliance. We understand this change is disappointing to some, especially those who complied with mandatory inspections in previous years. However, as the headwaters of a larger watershed, Parks Canada is taking action now to ensure that the ecological integrity of the park and downstream aquatic communities remains intact.

Non-motorized watercraft means: any boat or vessel that is not motorized. This includes canoe, kayak, raft, stand up paddle (SUP) board, sailboat, paddle boat, belly boat, drift boat, windsurfing, kite boarding, inflatable watercraft, pedal assist kayaks, catamarans, car toppers, hydrofoil, cataraft, and any other amphibious craft.

Floaty toys are considered non-watercraft aquatic equipment. This means any equipment used in the water. Aquatic equipment includes waders, wading boots, fishing gear, diving equipment, snorkeling equipment, personal flotation devices (PFD), floats (inner tubes, children’s toys) research equipment and any other recreational equipment intended for use in waterbodies.

Non-motorized watercraft are more likely to spread and introduce AIS as they have more places for species to hide and are more likely to be used for fishing activities and travel further than aquatic equipment.

Yes. Visitors can continue to rent non-motorized watercraft from local businesses in town and at Cameron Lake.

Angling will continue to be permitted in select lakes in Waterton Lakes National Park as per regulations. Angling for all fish species in Waterton Lakes National Parks’ flowing waters (streams and rivers) is prohibited. Felt-soled boots are not permitted in any water body Waterton Lakes.

Whirling disease has been found in the Belly River. Restricting angling within flowing waters reduces the risk for it spreading into unaffected bodies of water. By continuing to allow fishing in alpine lakes, Parks Canada is striking the balance between providing a fair solution to those recreating in park waters and protecting Waterton Lakes’ aquatic ecosystems.

Prohibiting angling for all fish species in Waterton Lakes National Parks’ flowing waters (streams and rivers) will help to ensure the well-being of aquatic ecosystems.

Whirling disease has been found in the Belly River. Prohibiting angling within flowing waters reduces the risk for this already detected invasive species to spread into currently unaffected bodies of water. In addition, in recent years streams and rivers have seen low flow levels due to drought conditions. This coupled higher water temperatures in streams in recent years, make fish populations more vulnerable to overfishing. Prohibiting fishing in flowing waters will minimize stress on these sensitive populations.

Motorized and trailered watercraft continue to be permitted by exception and are subject to a 90-day quarantine program to launch in park waters. This program has successfully mitigated the risk of AIS introduction via motorized boats. A review of powerboating as a recreational activity is ongoing, as committed to in the 2022 Management plan.

Improvement District #4 is managing the sealing program. For more information on this program, visit the Improvement District #4 website.

Yes. Preventing invasive mussels from entering Waterton Lakes National Park is still our top priority. The quarantine program was developed with this in mind, while providing a fair solution for recreational boaters.

Parks Canada manages Waterton Lakes National Park consistent with the expectations of Canadians as reflected in the Waterton Lakes National Park Management Plan, and the Canada National Parks Act. Authority to manage motorized watercraft access is set out in the National Park General Regulations (sections 7 and 21). Motorized watercraft are not permitted unless authorized by the Superintendent. The quarantine procedure is the only method in which motorized watercraft will be allowed back in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Yes. Preventing invasive mussels from entering Waterton Lakes National Park is still our top priority. The quarantine program was developed with this in mind, while providing a fair solution for recreational boaters.

These types of watercraft are permitted in Upper and Middle Waterton Lakes only, after the 90-day quarantine period has been completed.

All incoming non-motorized watercraft, and all motorized and trailered watercraft that have not undergone the 90-day seal and quarantine program will be considered a prohibited boat. Under the Canada National Parks Act the maximum penalty for a launching a prohibited boat in the park is $25,000. The offender can be arrested, their boat seized, and the offender will be compelled to attend court. If found guilty, in addition to the fine imposed by the court, the crown can seek forfeiture of the seized boat.

All watercraft with motors (gas or electric, trailered or hand launched) are restricted to use on Upper and Middle Waterton Lakes only. The exception to this is any Parks Canada or RCMP watercraft needed for emergency response.

Detachable electric motors are permitted in the park through two avenues.

1. They follow the 90-day quarantine program.
2. They are local motors that do not leave the park. Users with watercraft/detachable electric motors that do not leave the park can take a short course on AIS and receive an inspection permit from Parks Canada staff to continue to use said watercraft.

Invasive mussels, such as quagga and zebra mussels, are aquatic invasive species introduced from Europe into North America in 1980s. The fingernail-sized freshwater mollusk can produce millions of eggs and easily attach itself to objects such as boats and trailers. Their numbers can reach tens of thousands per square metre. Prodigious filter feeders, they strip nutrients from the water leaving little or no food for native species. This affects the entire food web, impacting the plant and animal life in the region, and altering water chemistry and water clarity. They are permanent and irreversible. No method, technology or natural predator exists to remove invasive mussels once established in a water body. Mussels can inadvertently be moved to a new location attached on boats, equipment and trailers. Standing or trapped water in boats is a concern because invasive mussels have a microscopic larval stage, allowing them to be present without being visible.

Invasive mussels are present in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and 34 U.S. states, including Montana.

To date, invasive mussels have not been detected in Waterton Lakes National Park. Parks Canada regularly tests for invasive mussels, following similar protocols as the U.S. National Parks Service in Glacier National Park and Alberta Environment and Parks. This includes visual testing for invasive mussels and active monitoring for invasive mussel veligers (larval stage).

The larvae of these aquatic invasive species (AIS) were detected in the Tiber Reservoir in Montana, which is about a half-day’s drive from Waterton.

The biggest risk of invasive mussel contamination in Waterton is transfer from infested areas in power boats, trailered boats and the trailers. Followed closely behind these are non-motorized craft like kayaks, canoes, row boats and others. Standing or trapped water in these vessels is a concern because invasive mussels have a microscopic larval stage, allowing them to be present without being visible.

Parks Canada is responsible for protecting the lakes, rivers and streams in Waterton Lakes National Park. Invasive mussel contamination poses a significant threat to the park’s unique ecology, by depleting nutrients available for native species, which affects the entire food web, and altering water chemistry and quality.

In addition to the significant ecological effects, invasive mussels are known to cause extensive economic and visitor experience impacts by clogging water intake structures, dams, water treatment facilities, hydro power facilities, docks, breakwaters, buoys, boats and beaches.

The headwaters of the South Saskatchewan River Basin are in Waterton Lakes National Park. The downstream risk of invasive mussel contamination in Waterton threatens: the extensive irrigation network that supports southern Alberta’s significant agricultural industry; infrastructure that supports water supply for multiple jurisdictions, including the cities of Lethbridge and Medicine Hat; and the ecological health for multiple recreational areas.

A 2015 report by the Pacific Northwest Economic Region estimates that the cost of failing to prevent mussel contamination in the region would exceed $500 million (USD) annually. Alberta estimates the potential annual cost of contamination at $75 million.

Parks Canada staff, outside researchers and contractors follow best practices and a stringent decontamination protocol for gear and equipment when working in aquatic environments.

Parks Canada is collaborating closely with the U.S. National Park Service and Alberta Environment and Parks to monitor for invasive mussels and other AIS. Parks Canada also provides information to the public so people can learn about this serious issue and contribute to protecting the park’s aquatic environment.

Prevention is essential. Completing a mandatory self-inspection of scuba gear and fishing equipment in park waters, people need to adhere to the Clean, Drain, Dry program, following these steps:

• Clean and inspect watercraft and gear (including fishing and SCUBA equipment)
• Drain buckets, ballasts, bilges, coolers, internal compartments, and other containers that may hold trapped or standing water.
• Dry the watercraft and gear completely between trips and leave compartments open and sponge out standing water.

Parks Canada is collaborating closely with the U.S. National Park Service in Glacier National Park to monitor for invasive mussels. For more information on the U.S. National Park Service’s boating requirements and invasive mussel prevention in Glacier National Park, visit: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/ais.htm