BY DAVE HURLEY
WON Staff Writer
SACRAMENTO – Since the golden mussel was discovered on October 24 at Rough and Ready Island, west of the Port of Stockton and further downstream at a location known as Turner Cut, northern California lake operators have taken a distinctly different path toward prevention. Some lakes closed to all launching such as Camanche and Woodward, some lakes have adopted a decontamination system coupled with a period of quarantine such as Berryessa, some have relied strictly on a 30-day quarantine like New Melones, some have inspections with a permit in place, and some rely on self-inspection.
This may all change soon as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is holding a virtual Invasive Mussel Water Agency Summit intended for water managers on January 28 from 9:00 am to 12:15 pm. After a 45-minute break, CDFW will hold open office hours from 1:00 to 2:30 pm for more interactive dialogue with water managers.
According to the press release, ‘The purpose of the Summit is to provide an update on the recently discovered golden mussel and to review quagga/zebra mussel prevention and control measures. The information will be relevant to water managers already implementing mussel prevention programs, as well as those interested in developing programs.”
As the responses to this significant problem are so varied, there may be a common approach recommended by CDFW for water managers and lake operators. At the present time, boaters must check the status of their lake prior to making the drive to launch as conditions have the potential to change rapidly. In the meantime, enclosed is a list of major bodies of water with specific restrictions unique to the lake. A contact is enclosed to receive the most up-to-date information regarding launching restrictions.
| Lake | Status | Restrictions | Contact |
| Amador | Open | Self-inspection – boats launched within 30 days from San Joaquin County not allowed | http://lakeamador.com/ |
| Berryessa | Open with restrictions | Inspected logged with Red quarantine sticker for 30 days
Can launch with hot water decontamination performed by approved entity Green sticker applied upon leaving lake
|
https://scwa2.com/lake-berryessa-mussel-prevention-program/ |
| Bullards Bar | Open | Self-inspection | https://www.yubawater.org/ |
| Camanche | Closed to all launching | https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/protecting-natural-habitat/invasive-mussel-prevention | |
| Clear Lake | Open with restrictions | Must have Lake County Mussel Sticker and California Mussel Fee Sticker
Screening of all registered trailer water vessels Not applicable to non-motorized boats |
https://www.nomussels.com/ |
| Collins | Open | Dry, inspect, and clean | https://www.yubawater.org/ |
| Don Pedro | Open | Self-Inspection Permit on dashboard | https://www.donpedrolake.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Mussel-Self-Inspection-Permit.pdf |
| Folsom | Open | No restrictions – Brown’s Ravine only ramp open
5 MPH in effect |
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=500 |
| Hennessey/Napa County | Closed to all launching | ||
| New Melones | Open for quarantineed boats | 30-day quarantine. Red tag available at Glory Hole Ramp from 8 am to 4 pm. Green tag placed prior to departure.
Decontamination station not in service as of yet |
https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/5047 |
| Nacimiento/San Antonio | Open with restrictions | Any vessel that was last launched on a known or suspected body of water must meet the following requirements to be permitted to launch.
Wait at least 30 days before inpection to launch at either lake. Boats must be clean, drained, and dry. |
https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/Home/Components/News/News/11082/1336 |
| San Luis/O’Neill Forebay | Open – Boat inspections required | All San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area launch facilities require inspection by trained personnel of all watercraft types Previously inspected vessels, which are marked by a lanyard through the boat bow eye and trailer winch hook, can return to launch with minimal delay.
Park hours 6 am to sunset |
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=558 |
| Oroville | Open – no restrictions | No inspections | https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=462 |
| Pardee | Closed to all launching | https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/protecting-natural-habitat/invasive-mussel-prevention | |
| Pyramid Lake/Nevada | Open – inspections required | Boat inspection required.
Popcorn Launch closed -only one launch open |
https://www.pyramidlakeais.org/ |
| Shasta | Open – no inspection | Must possess CA Mussel Fee Sticker | https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5144741.pdf |
| Tahoe | Open with specific restrictions | All boats including non-motorized must possess Tahoe- only mussel sticker after inspection. Green tag upon departing the lake in order to relaunch. | https://tahoeboatinspections.com/ |
| Trinity | Open – no inspection | Must possess CA Mussel Fee Sticker | https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5144741.pdf |
| Whiskeytown | Open – no inspection | Must possess CA Mussel Fee Sticker | https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5144741.pdf |
| Woodward | Closed to all launching | (209) 249-4624 |
