MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Decontamination units in Minnesota and Wisconsin will launch a multiday effort to stop numerous invasive species that threaten a river separating the two states.
Inspectors will staff six decontamination boats on the St. Croix River July 14 and July 15 to search for and get rid of invasive species including zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, curly leaf pondweed, bighead carp, rusty crayfish and Asian clams, The Star Tribune reported.
The species threaten the river's health, the St. Croix River Association said.
"The St. Croix is one of the cleanest tributaries to the Mississippi River," the association said in a statement. "It is a high-value fishery. ... The introduction of aggressive invasive species into this complex system threatens the ecological integrity of the rivers as well as the unique cultural resources and our outdoor heritage."
The association is contributing four interns to the effort.
The boats have high-pressure and high-temperature wash units. They'll be used to wash watercraft at public access points along the river. Besides the cleaning for their boats, boaters will be taught how to properly clean, drain and dry their boats to keep invasive species from spreading.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Chisago County and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will staff the various washing units along the river.
