SACRAMENTO, Calif. — State and Solano County water officials concerned about the spread of invasive golden mussels are barring watercraft traveling from the Delta from launching in Lake Berryessa without a 30-day quarantine or decontamination.

The larval microscopic mussels have been found in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and easily make their way into live wells, bilges and ballast tanks, the craft’s engine system, plumbing and other compartments onboard boats, said Solano County Water Agency officials.

“Any vessel wishing to launch sooner than the required 30-day quarantine period must have a hot-water decontamination performed by Solano County Water Agency trained and approved staff,” the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said in a statement Monday.

The mussels can survive for extended periods of time in the water that collects in the craft’s systems, agency officials said, explaining the 30-day quarantine or decontamination requirement. Solano officials were asking boaters to clean, drain and dry their systems after each use.

Solano County Water Agency officials were also calling on watercraft owners to not travel from the Delta to other waterways for 30 days to allow the larval mussels to die. Solano water officials said they are working with neighboring Napa County, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and local launch ramp concessionaires to prevent the spread of the invasive mussel into Lake Berryessa.

Reclamation officials said all hand-launched watercraft with electric motors like fishing kayaks, require an inspection prior to launch. Non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks and paddleboards, are not subject to inspection but are encouraged to use the inspections at launch ramps.

____

©2024 The Sacramento Bee. Visit at sacbee.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.