Texas Authorities Mandate Rigid "Clean, Drain, Dry" Protocols for Holiday Boating

As the Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial kick-off of the competitive lake and marine recreation season, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) issued a strict mandatory enforcement directive.

State conservation officers are launching a high-visibility "Clean, Drain, and Dry" campaign across all public boat ramps to halt the proliferation of destructive aquatic invasive species. Boaters are legally required to drain all livewells, bilges, and cooling systems before entering or departing any Texas freshwater body.

The aggressive regulatory enforcement is a mechanical necessity to protect delicate aquatic ecosystems and prevent multi-million-dollar damage to municipal water infrastructure. Zebra mussels and invasive giant salvinia pose severe systemic threats to native fish populations and boat propulsion systems alike.

TPWD regional directors confirmed that marine enforcement units will conduct active checkpoint inspections throughout the May 21–25 holiday window, with non-compliant operators facing significant Class C misdemeanor fines.

For the 2026 outdoor recreationist, compliance with these biosecurity rules is vital to avoiding severe operational delays at public boat slips.

Travelers trailering watercraft across state or county lines must factor in additional time for manual hull inspections and decontamination procedures. As popular holiday lakes face unprecedented visitor density over the next four days, adhering to these clean-water mandates ensures that public marine access remains unimpeded for the duration of the holiday weekend.