The East Bay Municipal Utility District is closing boat launches at its reservoirs in the Sierra Nevada foothills to protect the public water system from a highly invasive golden mussel, before it appears.
The mussel colonizes water intakes, impeding water flow, clogging pipes, and damaging equipment, including boat motors. Its dense colonies consume large quantities of microscopic plants and animals that are critical to native species and sport fish.
The mussels have already been discovered in the California Delta, prompting state and local water agencies to strengthen safeguards against their further spread, EBMUD said in a news release.
Boat launches at Pardee Reservoir, located at 4900 Stony Creed Road in Ione, which provides 90 percent of EBMUD’s public water supply, won’t open in February as previously scheduled.
Boat launches at Camanche Reservoir have been closed since November 2024 and will remain closed until further notice.
The launch closures apply to all boats, kayaks, canoes and other vessels. Long-term campers who have not removed their boats from EBMUD waters since 2024 are exempt.
Some boat rentals remain available through the recreation concessionaire, ExplorUS. For details, email Camping@GoLakeCamanche.com or PardeeCamping@GoExplorUS.com.