SWAMP - Decontamination

Proper decontamination after working in or around a waterbody is critical to preventing the spread of AIS. The number of AIS present in California is a moving target, which suggests that decontamination techniques will continually be revised and improved. Additional decontamination techniques and SOPs may be found within HACCP plans and in other Websites.

General Prevention Procedures for Stopping Aquatic Hitchhikers

• VIDEO: Cleaning and Treating Water Quality Monitoring Field Gear for Freshwater Aquatic Invasive Species


• Protect Your Waters – Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers
  This Website is a resource for recreational users who want to help stop aquatic nuisance species.
  • Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers; Protect Your Waters
  • User-Specific Prevention Procedures for Stopping Aquatic Hitchhikers
  • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Clean, Drain, Dry
  • Preventing the Spread of Whirling Disease


• Equipment Cleanup
  • California Department of Fish and Wildlife Invasive Species Decontamination Protocol
  • Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program: Great Rivers Ecosystems, Field Operations Manual. 2006. EPA/620/R-06/002. SEE Chapter 3-Base Operations
  • Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program-Surface Waters. Field Operations Manual for Wadeable Streams. 1998. EPA/620/R-94/004F. SEE Chapter 3- Base Operations
  • Excerpt from an EMAP Based Quality Assurance Project Plan Developed by the California Department of Fish and Game Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory (2008)
  • Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations (2017) Includes Equipment Decontamination Procedures
  • Preventing Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species: Decontamination Steps for Field Equipment (Michigan guide to low, medium & high risk of species transport procedures)


• New Zealand Mudsnails Prevention
  • California Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Invasive Species Program, New Zealand Mudsnails
    Including how to prevent the spread of New Zealand Mudsnails through field gear (including wading gear)


• Eurasian Mussel (Quagga and Zebra Mussels)
  • Early Detection Monitoring Manual for Quagga and Zebra Mussels - Sea Grant California Publication Number: T-069)
    The methods presented here are intended for citizen volunteer groups involved with or interested in monitoring aquatic organisms.
  • Quagga-Zebra Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. Waters


• Decontamination Protocol for Aquatic Nuisance Species



Voluntary Guidelines to Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species – Recreational Activities
Based on guidelines originally produced by the Recreational Activities Committee of the ANS Task Force in 2000 (updated 2008 to address VHS and New Zealand Mud Snail)

• Technical Manual - Interim Hygiene Protocol for Handling Amphibians


• National Guidelines to Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
  Based on guidelines originally produced by the Recreational Activities Committee of the ANS Task Force in 2000 (updated 2008 to address VHS and New Zealand Mud Snail)


• Developing Management Strategies to Control Amphibian Diseases (includes hygiene protocols)


• Hygiene Protocol for the Control of Diseases in Frogs

We provide these links for information only. We do not control these sites nor accept any responsibility for the content or links contained on these sites.