Folsom and Clementine Lakes Lakes Face Golden Mussel Quarantines

Boaters wishing to launch on Folsom Lake and Lake Clementine are facing quarantine procedures due to discovery of the invasive golden mussel species in the Port of Stockton last October. Effective April 14, Folsom Lake and Lake Clementine will be closed to all trailered or motorized vessels. All boats wishing to launch into Folsom Lake or Lake Clementine are required to go through a mandatory 30-day quarantine.

Luckily, the new regulations will not affect the upcoming 58th Annual Camellia Cup hosted by Folsom Lake Yacht Club on April 12–13. The Camellia Cup is the Sacramento area’s largest sailboat regatta, and this year will include vessels13- to 25-ft in length such as Banshees, Buccaneers, Lasers, Lido 14s, VX Ones, Thistles, Day Sailers, Vanguards, Santana 20s, Catalina 22s, Capri 22s and 25s, Cal 22s and 250s, Wavelength 24s, Hunter 270s and various types of multihull boats. It makes for spectacular viewing, and of course, is a ton of fun for sailors. The regatta heralds the start of the inland lakes’ boating season, which this year will look a little different due to the quarantine procedures.

Boats wishing to enter Folsom Lake and Lake Clementine after the 30-day closures will be required to undergo an inspection before launching. Boats that pass will be tagged with a red seal. Upon leaving the water, the boats will be inspected again, and presuming all is well, will be tagged with a green decontamination seal. After May 14, all trailered or motorized vessels entering Folsom Lake or Lake Clementine will be required to have a quarantine and/or decontamination seal intact and verified prior to entering the water. Vessels in compliance will be verified on site and permitted to launch. Every time a seal is applied or removed, information regarding the water body, date, CF number and other pertinent data will be entered into the Watercraft Inspection Database (WID).

Vessel inspections will be conducted at Beals Point beginning April 14, Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The process is expected to take 15 to 30 minutes depending on the vessel (not including wait time). There is no cost for the inspections. However if decontamination is required there will likely be a cost set by the vendors. Decontamination stations have not yet been authorized.

The monthlong lake closures will provide time for State Parks to complete the process of hiring and training additional staff needed to tag vessels upon leaving the lakes for continuing use. Hand-launched, non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, outrigger canoes, rowing shells and rowboats are not subject to the inspection, quarantine and seal program. Hand-launched boats with electric trolling motors, such as fishing kayaks, are also exempt from the inspection, quarantine or decontamination and seal program. All exempt watercraft must follow the Clean, Drain, and Dry guidelines.

The golden mussel is a highly invasive non-native species that poses a significant immediate threat to the ecological health of the waters of the state, water intake and conveyance systems and water quality. Golden mussels can survive in a wider range of conditions than quagga or zebra mussels. Golden mussels can dramatically reduce the abundance of both zooplankton and phytoplankton, leading to widespread food web impacts, including to fisheries. Mussel invasions elsewhere have been associated with an increased frequency of potentially toxic blooms of Microcystis. Their propensity to rapidly colonize any available hard surface jeopardizes built infrastructure in any infested water bodies. They can cause significant damage to boats by attaching to hulls and clogging engines, which will lead to increased costs for boat owners.

Further information and answers to some of your questions can be found on the California State Parks website.

Good luck to all the sailors competing in this weekend’s Camellia Cup, and also the Wheeler Regatta being hosted by Berkeley Yacht Club.