Open House at New Decon Station
This Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 24, from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., we are holding an Open House at the New Preston Fire Station. Feel free to bring anything that you put in the lake to the fire station for hot water decontamination. This could include kayaks, canoes, sailboats, paddle boards, rowing shells, any car-top craft, boat motors, etc.
OR
If you would just like to stop in to see the new decontamination trailers in action, all are welcome.
Background
Why are we building decontamination trailers and supporting the three lake towns in beginning a boat decontamination program? In just a few years, a new and aggressive strain of hydrilla has spread to more than two dozen Connecticut waterbodies. Additionally, zebra mussels are now established in multiple lakes within a short drive of Waramaug. To mitigate these threats, decontamination stations have proven effective at removing invasive species from boats and trailers.
Lake George in New York has operated a comparable decontamination station / inspection program for the past 12 years, with no new invasive aquatic plants introduced across 390,000+ inspections.
To learn more about hydrilla and why it's a threat, click here.
Starting in 2026, every boat launching at the Washington Town Ramp is required to go through the new watercraft inspection and decontamination program, Waramaug Invasive Species Elimination ( W.I.S.E.). Inspection at the ramp is paired with mobile hot water (140 ºF) decontamination units based at the New Preston Fire Station, 1.2 miles away (185 New Milford Tpke, New Preston, CT 06777). This program represents the first fully integrated aquatic invasive species prevention program operating on a Connecticut lake.
To learn more about the decontamination process, click here.
For decontamination station hours of operation, click here.
To schedule a boat decontamination outside of station hours, email wisedecon@gmail.com
Mandatory inspection of motorboats launching at Lake Waramaug has been in place since 2004. This requirement is mandated in the Lake Waramaug Agreement, signed by the three towns and the State of Connecticut, and the W.I.S.E. Program is supported under this agreement.
What Does This Mean if You Are a Boat Owner?
Trailered motorboats. Every trailered boat must complete hot water decontamination at the fire station before launching into Lake Waramaug (most boats and trailers take 10–20 minutes). New, rental, and demonstration boats also require decontamination.
Boats that winter at a marina. Boats stored off-season at a marina operating under an agreement with the W.I.S.E. program are exempt from season-opening decontamination — the marina handles vessel certification at delivery (owner presence not required). If the marina does not have an agreement with the W.I.S.E. program, hot water decontamination is required before first launch.
Boats kept on Waramaug all season. Every boat that enters the lake must also exit through the Washington Town Ramp, where the inspector will apply and log a numbered security seal at haul-out. A boat returning the following spring with the seal intact will not require decontamination. If a boat needs mid-season repairs, the ramp inspector will apply a security seal at haul-out. If the seal is broken, full hot water decontamination will be required.
Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and other unpowered car-top crafts. Hot water decontamination is not required, but Clean-Drain-Dry applies and inspectors will conduct a brief visual check. Vessels that have been in another waterbody within the past 30 days should be cleaned, drained, and dried before arrival. If debris is spotted by the ramp attendant, you will be directed to the decontamination station.
Small motorized car-top boats (12 hp or less). Small motorboats with outboards up to 12 hp carried atop or inside a vehicle must be inspected at the Washington Town Ramp and issued a sticker confirming environmental fitness before launch.
Private dock launching. This is not permitted. The Washington Town Ramp is the designated access point for all boats. Residents who transport a boat to another waterbody must bring it back through the ramp inspection and decontamination process.
Thanks to all who helped get the W.I.S.E. program up and running just in time for the 2026 boating season.
Feel free to contact us if you have questions.