Frequently Asked Questions

Healthy aquatic ecosystems are vital to the overall health of our national parks and are threatened by aquatic invasive species. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are non-native plants, animals, and diseases. Many AIS are harmful to freshwater ecosystems. AIS reproduce fast, they rarely have natural predators and often out-compete native freshwater species.

• alter aquatic ecosystems;
• cause irreversible damage;
• impact already vulnerable species at risk; and,
• are introduced by people.

Following Clean Drain Dry procedures between bodies of water is a best practice across North America and is a requirement for all watercraft and water gear users in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks.

• An AIS Prevention Self-certification Permit or Parks Canada AIS Prevention Inspection Permit is required for all non-motorized watercraft and water-related gear used in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks.
• A Parks Canada AIS Prevention Inspection Permit is mandatory for motorized watercraft on Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park. AIS Prevention Permits aim to prevent aquatic invasive species from entering the parks, educate water recreationalists about the problem of aquatic invasive species and provide data that Parks Canada can use to further our knowledge of aquatic invasive species.

Everyone can help prevent the spread of AIS in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks by following Clean Drain Dry procedures and obtaining a mandatory AIS Prevention Permit for all watercraft and water-related gear.

All users of watercraft and water related-gear must:

• Clean all mud, sand, plant, and animal materials from your watercraft and water-related gear.




• Drain coolers, buckets, compartments, and other items that may hold water on land before leaving the waterbody.




• Dry all watercraft and water-related gear coming from outside of British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Northwest Territories for 30 days; those coming from inside British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Northwest Territories are required to dry for 48 hours. When entering a new waterbody within Yoho, Kootenay, and Banff national parks, watercraft and water-related gear must be dried for 48 hours.

Once the Clean Drain Dry procedure has been completed, watercraft and water-related gear users are required to obtain an AIS Prevention Permit for all watercraft and water-related gear:

• An AIS Prevention Self-certification Permit or Parks Canada AIS Prevention Inspection Permit is required for all non-motorized watercraft and water-related gear (e.g., canoes, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, fishing gear).
• The Self-certification Permit requires mandatory clean, drain, dry of all non-motorized watercraft and water-related gear, and attestation to these actions. Permits will be available online and at self-serve kiosks at waterbodies in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks, or at Parks Canada watercraft inspection stations in Banff National Park.
• Non-motorized watercraft and water-related gear users that do not meet Self-certification Permit requirements, but still wish to use their equipment within a park should visit a Parks Canada watercraft inspection station. Inspections and issue of a Parks Canada Inspection Permit will occur on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of inspectors.
• Parks Canada Inspection Permit is mandatory for motorized watercraft on Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park.
• Parks Canada will no longer accept provincial inspection permits for motorized watercraft launching on Lake Minnewanka.
• Inspection of non-motorized watercraft and water gear will be available at inspection stations in Banff at Lake Minnewanka (motorized and non-motorized watercraft and water-related gear) and Lake Louise overflow parking lot (non-motorized watercraft and water-related gear only).
• When entering any new waterbody within Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks, users of watercraft and water-related gear must obtain a new AIS Prevention Permit.

All watercraft and water-related gear used in Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay national parks require a permit, including but not limited to:

• Motorized watercraft (gas or electric)
• Canoes
• Kayaks
• Paddleboards
• Kiteboards
• Windsurfers
• Rowboats
• Inflatables
• Fishing Gear
• Wading Boots
• Waders/Lifejackets
• Wetsuits
• Paddles

Water-related gear means: personal floatation devices, throw bags, water shoes, wetsuits, or any other type of recreational gear that comes in contact with the water.

Fishing gear means: fishing rods, tackle, waders, wading boots, gloves, nets, or any other type of fishing equipment that comes into contact with water.

At the inspection stations, trained Parks Canada staff will be available to provide inspections of watercraft and water-related gear for AIS or evidence of potential contamination with AIS. If watercraft and water-related gear are found to have met the Clean Drain Dry protocols and have not been in high risk AIS positive waters, an AIS Prevention Permit may be issued. Inspections and issue of a Parks Canada Inspection Permit will occur on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of inspectors.

These inspections are available to all watercraft and water-related gear users in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks for no cost.

Inspection Station Locations and Operating Hours

Watercraft and water-related gear coming from outside of British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Northwest Territories are required to dry for 30 days and those coming from inside of British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Northwest Territories are required to dry for 48 hours. When entering a new waterbody within Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay national parks, watercraft and water-related gear must be dried for 48 hours. This is because certain areas carry a higher risk of specific types of aquatic invasive species and this helps to eliminate their spread.

If watercraft or water-related gear cannot meet the required drying time it cannot be used in any waterways and users should visit a Parks Canada inspection station.

If a visitor or resident decides to use their watercraft or water-related gear in the same body of water for multiple days, it is not necessary to follow the Clean Drain Dry procedures until they decide to relocate to another body of water. Watercraft and water-related gear users must obtain a new permit and meet the permit conditions if they decide to relocate to a new body of water in Banff, Yoho or Kootenay national parks.

Parks Canada will no longer accept provincial inspection permits for motorized watercraft launching on Lake Minnewanka. The requirement for Parks Canada Inspection Permits will help ensure that all motorized watercraft are inspected, increasing protection of Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks.

An AIS Prevention Self-Certification Permit or Parks Canada AIS Prevention Inspection Permit is required for all non-motorized watercraft and water-related gear (e.g., canoes, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, fishing gear).

1. Obtain a Self-certification Permit from a visitor centre, a self-certification station (listed below), or print your Self-certification Permit at home using the online form.
2. Ensure that watercraft and water-related gear have met the Clean Drain Dry conditions listed on the self-certification form before using these items.
3. Sign, date and write the waterbody name the permit is for on the Self-certification Permit, if the conditions are met. Users are required to carry their permit with them while using their watercraft and water-related gear.
4. Complete the survey at the bottom of the AIS Prevention Self-certification Permit, tear it and place it in a drop box at a self-certification station or leave it with a Parks Canada employee at a visitor center.
5. If you do not meet the Clean Drain Dry requirements indicated on the Self-certification Permit, you are prohibited from launching a non-motorized watercraft or water-related gear in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks until the permit conditions are met. Non-motorized watercraft and water-related gear users who do not meet the Self-certification Permit requirements can visit a Parks Canada watercraft inspection station for possible issue of an AIS Prevention Inspection Permit.

It is a legal requirement for people recreating on the water to have their permits available for examination. Permits are valid only for the date and waterbody indicated on the permit and users must obtain a new permit and meet the permit conditions if relocating watercraft to a new body of water.

Banff National Park

Yoho National Park

Kootenay National Park

If you are unable to meet the Clean Drain Dry standards, you can visit the Parks Canada inspection stations at the Lake Louise Overflow parking lot or Lake Minnewanka Loop Road where trained staff will provide a free inspection. Parks Canada staff will issue an AIS Prevention Inspection Permit at their discretion based on the risk-level of the watercraft. Without meeting the requirements for the self-certification process, or obtaining an AIS Prevention Inspection Permit, you are prohibited from launching watercraft or water-related gear in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks until standards are met.

Self-certification Permits are valid only for the date and waterbody indicated on the permit. You must obtain a new permit and meet the permit conditions if you decide to relocate to a new body of water in Banff, Yoho or Kootenay national parks. Please follow local guidelines for areas outside of Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks.

Lake Minnewanka is the only waterbody in Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay national parks where boats with motors, both gas and electric, are allowed.

It is mandatory to:

• Clean Drain Dry your watercraft; and,
• Obtain proof of a Parks Canada watercraft inspection for all motorized watercraft before launching.

You can obtain a Parks Canada AIS Prevention Inspection Permit for motorized watercraft at the Lake Minnewanka inspection station, located 6 km from the town of Banff along the Minnewanka Loop Road.

If you are unable to obtain a valid inspection you are not permitted to launch a motorized watercraft in Lake Minnewaka.

Proof of inspection from a provincial inspection station will NOT be accepted for motorized watercraft launching in Lake Minnewanka. Motorized watercraft users must have their watercraft inspected at the Lake Minnewanka inspection station.

You can obtain a Parks Canada AIS Prevention Inspection Permit for motorized watercraft at the Lake Minnewanka inspection station, located 6 km from the town of Banff along the Minnewanka Loop Road.

Parks Canada regularly tests for invasive mussels and whirling disease. To date, neither has been detected in Yoho or Kootenay national parks. Banff National Park tested positive for whirling disease in 2016. Invasive mussels have not been detected in Banff National Park. Maintaining the integrity of aquatic ecosystems within national parks is a priority and it is our goal to prevent aquatic invasive species from entering the parks.

Aquatic invasive species (AIS)can be introduced by people through the movement of mud, water and live or dead organisms (e.g., plants and fish) from activities such as boating, canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and fishing. Motorized watercraft are the highest risk watercraft to introduce AIS. Everyone can help keep aquatic invasive species out of the national parks by following the Clean Drain Dry standards as a best practice across North America.

Aquatic invasive species sightings in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks can be reported to: llykaisprevention-eaeprevention@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.

To find out what other mountain national parks are doing to manage aquatic invasive species, please see the following sites:

• Yoho National Park
• Kootenay National Park
• Waterton National Park
• Jasper National Park