QUAGGA & ZEBRA MUSSEL PREVENTION PROGRAM
To protect our waterways, all vessels must undergo mandatory screening and/or inspection prior to launching. All vessels must be CLEAN, DRAINED, and DRY and must complete a Vessel Screening Permit before launch.
Inspection Requirements:
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Any vessel that has been on an infested lake within the past 30 days or fails to meet the CLEAN, DRAINED, and DRY standard will be subject to a full inspection.
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Vessels that have been on infested lakes within the past 30 days will not be permitted to launch under any circumstances.
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Any water found in the vessel during inspection will result in automatic disqualification from launch. This includes residual water in bilges, live wells, ballast tanks, or other compartments.
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Weather conditions will also impact inspections. On rainy days, only vessels with a Nacimiento band will be allowed entry.
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If a vessel fails inspection but has not been in an infested body of water, it may undergo reinspection after a 24-hour drying period.
Enforcement & Penalties:
All vessels and watercraft are subject to a Quagga Mussel Inspection before launch. The following rules apply:
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Your vessel must be clean, drained, dry, and have the drain plug removed before inspection.
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Failure to comply with inspection procedures may result in fines up to $2,000.
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Any vessel that has been on a mussel-infested body of water within 30 days of arrival will be prohibited from launching.
List of Infested Lakes:
The following lakes and waterways (but not limited to) are considered mussel-infested:
California Waterways:
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Anaheim Lake, Angeles Tunnel, Black and Gold Golf Course Pond, Cahuilla, Castaic, Coachella Canal, Colorado River, Copper Basin, Dixon, El Capitan, Elderberry Forebay, Havasu, Imperial Dam, Irvine, Jennings, Kraemer Basin, Lake Forest, Lower Otay Lakes, Matthews, Mead, Miramar, Mojave, Murray, Olivenhain Reservoir, Parker, Pipeline in Lakeside, Piru, Piru Creek, Poway, Pyramid, Ramona, Rattlesnake Reservoir, Ridgemark Golf Course Pump, San Justo, San Vicente, Shadow, Skinner, Sweetwater, and Walnut Canyon Reservoir.
To ensure the continued health of our waterways, we appreciate your full cooperation with this critical prevention effort. Thank you for helping to keep our lakes clean and free from invasive species.
Policies are subject to change at any time, for any reason, without prior notice.
