Water activity rules and regulations
Yoho National Park
Waterbody closure
All waterbodies in Yoho and Kootenay national parks are closed to watercraft and angling until March 31, 2025 to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS), including whirling disease. The closure applies to all lakes, streams, and rivers in Yoho and Kootenay national parks.
Prohibited activities:
- Paddling: The closure applies to all watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, kiteboards, rowboats, and inflatable boats and toys (e.g., donuts, unicorns, etc.).
- Motorized boats: Motorized boats are not permitted in Kootenay and Yoho national parks.
- Angling: Angling equipment such as fishing rods, waders, boots, gloves, nets, and other gear that comes into contact with the water.
- Violators face fines up to $25,000 under the Canada National Parks Act. View the Restricted Activity Order to learn more.
Permitted activities:
- Swimming: Use of swimming aids and safety equipment, such as personal flotation devices, water shoes, wetsuits, gloves, snorkel equipment, throw bags, water wings, and other equipment to assist with swimming.
- Beach and shoreline access: Includes beach toys and pets on leash.
- Hiking and camping: Designated trail crossings and fords, collecting water for treatment.
- Rentals: Rental boats are available at Emerald Lake, where watercraft are only used in Emerald Lake.
- Visitors must clean, drain, and dry all equipment that comes into contact with water.
Parks Canada is committed to preventing aquatic invasive species from entering park and regional waterways to maintain the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems in Kootenay and Yoho national parks and downstream areas. Thank you for protecting these special places!
Aquatic invasive species
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are non-native plants, animals, and diseases. Many AIS are harmful to freshwater ecosystems. AIS reproduce quickly, rarely have natural predators, and often out-compete native freshwater species. Preventing aquatic invasive species from entering waterways is a Parks Canada priority. Once AIS are established, removal is next to impossible.
Whirling disease
The parasite that causes whirling disease is an aquatic invasive species (AIS). Symptoms of whirling disease include skeletal deformities, bulging eyes, and a dark or black tail. The disease can be spread to other waterbodies through spores in mud and water. This disease is not harmful to humans or other mammals but can have significant effects on some trout, whitefish, and salmon populations. In some cases, mortality rates in young fish have reached 90 per cent.
Invasive mussels
Quagga and Zebra mussels are small, fan-shaped organisms that range from dark brown to white in colour. Just a few mussels can produce millions of eggs. They are very efficient at filtering nutrients from the water, which changes the food web for native species. Dense colonies of mussels can clog water pipes and make the shoreline unusable because of their sharp shells and odour.
Eurasian water milfoil
Eurasian water milfoil is a perennial, submersed aquatic plant native to Eurasia and North Africa. Although not currently present in Alberta, new colonies can form from a single stem, seed, or leaf. Eurasian milfoil forms thick layers that shade native plants and decrease oxygen levels as they decay.
Learn more about the impact of AIS and important guidelines to follow before entering waterbodies to prevent the spread of AIS. This video is a collaboration between Tourism Golden and Parks Canada.
Protect lakes and rivers in the mountain national parks
Aquatic invasive species rules and regulations vary across the national parks. Plan ahead and check restrictions or closures before entering lakes and rivers in any national park. Learn more about AIS rules and regulations across the mountain national parks.
Report aquatic invasive species sightings:
Email ReportAIS-SignalerEAE@pc.gc.ca with a description of the organism, photos, and a precise location (GPS coordinates preferred).
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.
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