Boat Quarantine Required At 2 NorCal Lakes

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA—Boats will soon be subject to a 30-day quarantine before entering two Northern California lakes, California State Parks announced Monday.

The mandatory U.S. Bureau of Reclamation inspection/quarantine program takes effect April 14 at Folsom Lake and Lake Clementine. To help prevent the highly invasive species from spreading, all trailer or motorized vessels must participate.

This comes after golden mussels were discovered for the first time in North America in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The mussels pose a significant threat to the ecological health of all waters of the state, its water conveyance systems, infrastructure, and water quality.

“California State Parks is working with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and numerous state agencies to take critical steps to prevent golden mussels from infesting Folsom Lake and Lake Clementine,” Folsom Lake SRA Superintendent Mike Howard sasid. “We thank boaters for their understanding as we implement the new procedures and are working to make the inspection processes as efficient as possible. These prevention measures are a far better alternative to closing the lakes to vessels or a golden mussel infestation, which would not only cause substantial damage to the ecosystem and fishery but also impact the power generation and water delivery systems at Folsom Dam and Reservoir.”

Golden mussels can also cause significant damage to boats by attaching to hulls and clogging engines, leading to increased costs for owners.

The New Requirements

Starting April 14, California State Parks will temporarily close Folsom Lake and Lake Clementine to all trailered or motorized vessel launching. Vessel owners wishing to launch must undergo a boat inspection followed by a quarantine seal —watercraft band—for 30 days during which they are not allowed to launch the boat.

Beginning May 14, vessel owners who completed the 30-day boat quarantine can return to the two lakes where authorized staff will remove the seal and allow them to launch.

Boaters who want to return to the lakes in the future can have their vessel sealed when exiting the water. As long as the seal stays intact, a second quarantine is not required.

"Recreational boating is a significant contributor to California’s economy, and California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is working diligently with allied industry and agency partners to provide outreach and educational information to boaters and waterbody managers on the importance of the Clean, Drain and Dry message to help protect the state’s waterways from invasive species," DBW Deputy Director Ramona Fernandez said. "DBW recommends boaters contact the waterbody manager to learn of any updated requirements before they head out."

Hand-launched, non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, rowing shells, outrigger canoes and rowboats are not subject to the inspection, quarantine and decontamination requirements. Hand-launched watercraft with electric trolling motors, such as fishing kayaks, are also exempt from these requirements.

As part of the new golden mussel prevention program, only hand-launched boats are permitted on Lake Natoma. Trailered vessels will not be permitted. The existing 5 mph speed limit on Lake Natoma for motorized craft will remain in effect. All boaters, including paddlers and rowers, must arrive with their watercraft clean, drained, and dry.

See golden mussel inspection sites and frequently asked questions.