To provide temporary protective measures against invasive Zebra and Quagga mussel infestation, the East Bay Regional Park District is banning all out of state boats on its reservoirs beginning Friday, May 23, 2008. Regional Park lakes where this ban is implemented are Lake Del Valle in Livermore, Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton, Quarry Lakes in Fremont, and Contra Loma in Antioch. Boats registered in California are permitted to launch at this time.

Lake Chabot, an EBMUD facility, has had mandatory boat inspections since March at the request of the water agency (www.ebmud.com/services/recreation/quaggazebra_mussel.htm). All boats coming into Lake Chabot will be subject to a mandatory check before entering the water. The inspection will include two parts. First is a survey at the park kiosk to determine where the boat has been in the past 30 days. If the boat has been at any of these locations, it will not be permitted into the lake. All other boats will be subject to a physical inspection. For the convenience of park visitors, the Park District has contracted with the on-site marina operator, Urban Parks Concessionaire, to manage inspections which include kayaks, canoes, sculls, rowboats and float tubes. This does not affect rental boats or fishing in the lake.

Quagga and Zebra Mussels are invasive, non-native mollusks that have been discovered in some California waters recently. State officials say the spread of the mussels threatens water delivery systems, hydroelectric facilities, agriculture, recreational boating and fishing, and the environment in general. The Department of Water Resources estimates that if these mussels become established, it could cost $40 million a year in maintenance costs to the State Water Project alone.

We thank park visitors for their support and assistance in keeping our East Bay water supply safe. The parks and recreation facilities will continue to operate during their normal hours. Fishing, swimming, and recreation are not affected by this ban.

More about these Mussels (Q&A)

Download FAQ from DF&G in PDF format.

How Boaters Can Help (excerpts from DF&G)

Boaters should check their boat, trailer and vehicle every time a boat is taken out of the water.

• Inspect all exposed surfaces (vehicle, trailer, anchor, dock lines, live wells, bilge, motor, hull, trailer axel and rollers). Small mussels feel like sandpaper and are invisible to the eye.
• Wash the hull of each watercraft thoroughly (steam clean if possible).
• Remove all debris, plant and animal material.
• Drain all water and dry all areas.
• Drain and dry the lower outboard unit.
• Clean and dry all live-wells.
• Empty and dry any buckets.
• Dispose of all bait in the trash.
• Wait five days and keep watercraft dry between launches into different fresh waters.

EBMUD Staff Recommends:

• Learn about quagga mussels, zebra mussels and other invasive aquatic species and how to prevent their spread.
• Do not put your boat into waters that are inhabited or are at high risk of inhabitation. These areas include: Lake Mead, Lake Havasu, Lake Mojave, Lake Skinner, Copper Basin Reservoir, San Justo Reservoir, and generally waters of Santa Clara County, San Benito County, and California counties south of the Tehachapi Mountains, or any waters outside of California. Note that this list is growing as we learn more.
• Maintain a clean and dry boat inside and out! This includes all bilges, tanks, water pipes, trailers and accessories.
• Allow extra time when you visit EBMUD reservoirs to allow for staff to inspect all boats for invasive species and standing water.
• Boats failing inspection will be turned away.

Infected Water Locations

Any boat that has had contact with any of these waterways in the last thirty (30) days will not be permitted in Lake Chabot:

• Lake Mead
• Lake Havasu
• Lake Mojave
• Lake Skinner
• Copper Basin Reservoir
• San Justo Reservoir
• Generally waters of Santa Clara County, San Benito County, and California counties south of the Tehachapi Mountains
• Any waters outside of California

Zebra and Quagga Mussel Sightings Distribution

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