Bullards Bar Implements Mandatory Inspections for Golden Mussels

BULLARDS BAR — On Monday, August 18, the Yuba Water Agency began a pilot program screening motorized watercraft for golden mussels at the Cottage Creek and Dark Day boat launches at New Bullards Bar Reservoir. Screenings are free and mandatory, taking place daily from 6 AM to dusk on a first-come, first-served basis. Each screening takes approximately five minutes and checks for visible signs of mussels, aquatic vegetation, mud, standing water, or other risk factors such as recent use in infested waterways. Boats with visible mussels or other high-risk factors will not be permitted to enter the reservoir.

“We want to emphasize that this is a pilot program, a first phase to collect information specific to Bullards Bar and learn what approaches will be most effective here in the future,” said Yuba Water Agency Senior Environmental Specialist Jessica Nichols in a press release. “Our goal is to implement preventative measures that are practical, protect our reservoir, and allow continued recreational access.”

The golden mussel is a highly invasive species that was first discovered in California in October 2024, at the Port of Stockton. Since then, the mussel has been confirmed to be established in over 50 locations in California, primarily in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Ecologically, mussels filter large volumes of plankton, which has the potential to impact native fish populations. Additionally, they threaten to clog pumps and pipes in water supply systems, thereby increasing maintenance costs.

Though the golden mussel has not yet established itself in northern waterways, such as along the North Yuba or Feather Rivers, quarantine protocols have been rapidly implemented throughout the region. In most California lakes and reservoirs that do not require mandatory staff inspections, boaters are still required to perform self-inspections of their vessels for invasive species before entering the water.

To pass the New Bullards Bar screening and prevent the spread of golden mussels, the Yuba Water Agency says boaters should take the following measures:

Clean all aquatic plants, mud, and debris from watercraft, trailers, and equipment.

Drain the bilge, live wells, ballast tanks, and other water-containing areas.

Dry all areas where water can collect.

All screening data will be logged into a regional database. During the pilot program, however, vessels will not be tagged, sealed, or banded. Tags from other reservoirs may help to expedite screenings, but will not exempt vessels from inspection.

Additionally, commercially transported houseboats and vessels must be professionally decontaminated, with proof of decontamination provided and an inspection scheduled with the Yuba Water Agency prior to arrival. No decontamination services are currently available at New Bullards Bar, but the Yuba Water Agency maintains a list of nearby services on its website. More information on the agency’s Mussel Prevention Program is available at yubawater.org/invasives.