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California Quagga / Zebra Mussel Issue Tracking

By Rob BelloniMarch 29, 2008

Last updated: 3/29/08 - 3:30pm

The latest news on quagga and zebra mussel issues in California...

---SCUTTLEBUTT---

The big news has been at Clear Lake and at Lake Cachuma. 

No closure news has surfaced since Casitas. 

---News---

March 25, 2008 - The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted to enact inspection and cleaning measures at Lake Cachuma.  The rules are quoted below.  The lake reopened Friday March 28th.  There is no word as to what constitutes being "near an infected lake":

• ALL boats and trailers must be CLEAN and DRY upon entry to Cachuma Lake.

• ALL DRAIN PLUGS must be removed prior to boat transport that day.

• ALL boats longer than 24 feet will be quarantined on-site for 14 days before launch.

• ALL out-of-state boats will be quarantined on-site for 14 days before launch.

• ALL California boats with registration addresses near known infected lakes will be
quarantined on-site for 14 days before being allowed to launch.

• ALL boats and trailers will be thoroughly inspected and treated by hot water pressure
wash after first passing the visual inspection and quarantine requirements.

• Boat Launch Tags will be available for boat owners who wish to remove their boats
from the lake and who do not plan to use their boats elsewhere prior to returning to
Cachuma Lake. The tags will be applied to boats and trailers upon exiting the lake.

• Sign Affidavit upon entry to Cachuma Lake County Park stating where boat was most
recently used and whether or not in waters already infested by the invasive mussels.

Press Release | Map of Lake Cachuma
--------------------------------
March 20, 2008 - The Lake County Board of Supervisors voted on a number of measures to implement inspections and cleaning procedures at Clear Lake.  Four wash down stations are expected to be purchased in the near future.  Exact details of where and how boats will be inspected and marked are to be determined but it appears that the Board of Supervisors is acting fast. 

With the large volume of boats that travel to Clear Lake from around the country, we can only wonder if the lake already has the mussels.  The good news is that the folks in Lake County care a great deal about the resource up at Clear Lake and are likely to be recreation friendly in their approach. 

Lake County Record Bee Article | Map of Clear Lake

--------------------------------
March 4, 2008 - Lake Casitas Municipal Water District voted in a 3-2 vote to close Lake Casitas for one year due to the threat of mussel infestation.  The lake will be closed starting March 5, 2008. 

Related Thread | Map of Lake Casitas

--------------------------------
March 2008 - Loch Lomond Reservoir implements inspections, and bans all boats with gas motors. 

Press Release | Map of Loch Lomond

--------------------------------
February 9, 2008 - No mussels are found in Calero Reservoir

Article (sfgate.com) | Map of Calero Reservoir

--------------------------------
February 4, 2008 - Private boats banned on Lake Wohlford.  This includes boats, canoes, kayaks, float tubes, trolling motors, fish finders, anchors, and other equipment that contacts the water.

Press Release | Map of Lake Wohlford

--------------------------------
February 2008 - Lake Pardee implements inspections and quarantines.  Any boats from Santa Clara county, southern California, and outside of California will not be allowed on the lake.

Press Release | Map of Pardee

--------------------------------
February 2008 - Camanche Lake implements inspections and questionnaires

Camanche Recreation Website | Map of Camanche

--------------------------------
February 2008 - San Pablo Dam implements inspections and closes the lake 3 days a week, with shortened hours on open days in response to mussel concerns

Press Release | Map of San Pablo Dam

--------------------------------
February 1, 2008 - Lake Casitas implements strict inspection policy for all boats entering the lake.  Live bait transported from outside the lake is banned.

Inspection Checklist | Map of Lake Casitas
 
--------------------------------
January 23, 2008 - Charles Evans, President of the Cachuma Operations and Maintenance Board sends a letter to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors requesting a minimum 6-month closure of Lake Cachuma

Letter | Map of Lake Cachuma

--------------------------------
January 16, 2008 - San Justo Reservoir closed to all boating due to zebra mussels. 

Press Release | Map San Justo Reservoir

--------------------------------
January 9, 2008 - Lake Cuyamaca bans all private boats

Lake Info Page | Map of Cuyamaca

--------------------------------
January 2008 - Lake Poway bans float tubes, private motors and anchors, fish finders, live bait, live bait containers, and floating catch baskets. 

Press Release | Map of Lake Poway

--------------------------------
December 2008 - Diamond Valley Lake establishes inspection procedures. 

Lake Info Page | Map of Diamond Valley Lake

---GET INFORMED---

DFG Info Page
100th Meridian Info Page
An Outstanding Article on 'High Country News' explaining the history of the mussels

---INFESTED LOCATIONS---

Quagga Mussel Infestation
 
Lake Mead
Lake Mohave
Lake Havasu
Gene Wash
Copper Basin
Lake Mathews
San Vicente Reservoir
Lake Murray
Lower Otay
Dixon Lake
Lake Skinner

Zebra Mussel Infestation

San Justo Reservoir

Source: DFG Info Page
 
Copyright © Robert Belloni 1997-2012. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without express written consent.
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