Preventing the Spread of an Invasive Species

A popular boating destination in Utah, Lake Powell hosts more than 400,000 visitors per year. In recent years, however, an invasive species of mussel - the quagga mussel - has begun invading Utah’s lakes and other lakes throughout the country.

To combat the spread of the quagga mussel across Lake Powell, the Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) began tracking the information of all vessels entering and exiting the lake.

However, data tracking capabilities were limited: DNR personnel were only stationed at Lake Powell’s entry ramps during weekday business hours, meaning data on nights and weekends could not be collected. In addition, the manual process of collecting and entering vessel data for each incoming and exiting vessel caused significant traffic delays at each boat ramp.

Automating critical prevention fieldwork

To better capture and share relevant vessel data, Utah DNR worked with Tyler Technologies to develop a mobile, trailer-based, solar-powered camera system that could be parked at each of Lake Powell’s entry and exit ramps.

Leveraging Tyler’s Augmented Field Operations (AFO) Software, the system operates autonomously to capture and identify information for each boat (cameras on the trailer detect any boats entering or existing the lake and the software is able to capture the BOW# for the boats and is able to then create an inspection record) and generate a record for each vessel’s entry and exit. Once collected, this information is automatically uploaded to a shared database every 30 minutes, where it is immediately available to more than 35 other entities, agencies, and municipalities across the western United States.

The first two trailers went live in May 2023, with four more following over the next two years. As of October 2025, these six trailers have created nearly 50,000 data records, providing DNR continuous coverage of key entry and exit points across Lake Powell, reducing manual workload for staff, and providing accurate, near real-time data to DNR and key partners.

Improving access to actionable field data

By providing 24-hour coverage of boat entries and exits on Lake Powell, the AFO tailor-based camera system has enabled Utah DNR to better contain the invasion of quagga mussels: because the system offers a more complete record of the status of incoming boats, DNR personnel can take appropriate action when a boat that has not gone through the decontamination process arrives at a Lake Powell boat ramp.

In addition, with real-time insight into vessel activity and decontamination records, law enforcement officers now have the documentation they need to identify boat owners who have failed to comply with the inspection process and take action before quagga mussels spread to other lakes and waterways.

Overcoming unexpected challenges

Implementing a field-based, continuous data collection system comes with a unique set of challenges: a lack of cellular service or Internet access makes remote capabilities critical. Without wired power onsite, solar panels are needed to power the system during the day, with supplementary batteries needed at night. Furthermore, the batteries and the video equipment can both be sensitive to extreme temperatures - requiring unique engineering solutions for a setting where temperatures can range from below freezing to more than 110 degrees.

To overcome and account for these challenges, Tyler tested and refined each system to ensure connectivity, maintain performance, and optimize durability. With Tyler’s partnership, Utah DNR plans to expand the implementation to additional boat ramps by the end of 2026.

Leading the way in freshwater protection

By automating what was once a fully manual remote process, the Utah DNR and its partner agencies now have a reliable and continuous system in place to accurately track vessels entering and exiting Lake Powell. This, in turn, has enabled DNR to allocate resources more effectively and strengthen regional coordination in aquatic invasive species prevention. Utah DNR is leading the way in using modern inspection technology to help protect lakes and waterways not only in Utah but across the United States.

Learn how Tyler’s Augmented Field Operations Software can transform fieldwork monitoring, compliance, and enforcement for your agency at tylertech.com/afo