California invasive species regulations?

[Nickypoo]

I live along the San Francisco bay and plan on taking the boat out there once I get it finished. Now say I wanted to hop over to the nearest lake, say Lake Berryessa, some undefined amount of time after I went out into the bay.

What kind of regulations are in place against this scenario? Would I need to wait a minimum amount of time before I launch in a lake to thoroughly dry the boat off and kill anything that clinged on?

I googled a little bit and didn't see anything helpful. Maybe someone here can point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

 

[MarkSee]

Re: California invasive species regulations?

What you probably should do is call or check out the website of the lake you want to visit and see what their process is as it can differ.

A buddy took his fathers bowrider to Lake Arrowhead and spent 2 hours to get "certified" which he explained as going to an assigned area where some guys used a hot water pressure hose to clean out the bilge and bottom of the hull then he was allowed to boat.

The guy I bought my Maxum from in 2010 at a dealership in Orange County showed me a bilge that had just a couple ounces of water in it and said that even with that little water, an inspector would not pass the boat and you are forced to leave.

I've read on the website of Puddingstone Lake they have information that says it's best to not have used your boat, or even washed it with fresh water for a least a week before visiting so there is no "appearance" of water in the bilge.

Mark

 

[T748]

Re: California invasive species regulations?

There are no regulations that I know of. Here is a link that shows what they would like you to do. Quagga and Zebra Mussels in California
Basically pull the drain plug, remove any plant life off of the boat and trailer and dry things off. With the ride from the bay to berryessa being an hour or so ramp to ramp, it should be plenty dry. If the launch has a freshwater washdown, i would give the boat and trailer a blast before heading over to the lake. -Tom.

Edit- Here is another link with Berryessa self certification stuff in it. http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa/docs/Form_Mussel_Free_Certification.pdf

 

[roscoe]

Re: California invasive species regulations?

So no one can go boating for 3-4 days after it rains?

What if you want to use your boat 2 or 3 days in a row, even on the same lake? Must you leave the boat in the lake while you are in a hotel 10 miles away?

Seriously, at best, they are going to slow down the spread of invasive species. They can not stop it. They can not stop animals and waterfowl from visiting multiple lakes.

They need to take some practical measures, and show some common sense in the regulations.

 

[T748]

Re: California invasive species regulations?

I think what they are saying is if your boating around in an infested lake, do anything you can not to haul the infestation over to a clean lake and dump it in. The only thing I've seen here in the OP's area, is they really want you to pull the drain plug when the boat comes up and off the ramp.Oh and not dragging any delta weeds out too. Never any hassles over wet boats or anything like that.-Tom.

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: California invasive species regulations?

Woah woah guys... I didn't mean to start a debate about environmental policies, I just want to avoid fines and violating common boating etiquette.

If invasive species are a serious problem then I don't want to contribute to that problem on principle. That's me personally.


But thank you for your replies, they were really helpful. I suppose it would be a really good idea to call Berryessa and ask what their policy on this is.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: California invasive species regulations?

At Lake Tahoe, they put a metal cable tag on your boat at the bow eye on your way out of the lake. If you are going back into Tahoe or other lakes, the reinspect is not as stringent so water in the bilge is not as big of an issue.

If I had water in my bilge before I was on my way there, I would do my best to get every spec of water out including putting a fan in the bilge area to dry it out before an inspection.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: California invasive species regulations?

What you probably should do is call or check out the website of the lake you want to visit and see what their process is as it can differ.

A buddy took his fathers bowrider to Lake Arrowhead and spent 2 hours to get "certified" which he explained as going to an assigned area where some guys used a hot water pressure hose to clean out the bilge and bottom of the hull then he was allowed to boat.

The guy I boat my Maxum from in 2010 at a dealership in Orange County showed me a bilge that had just a couple ounces of water in it and said that even with that little water, an inspector would not pass the boat and you are forced to leave.

I've read on the website of Puddingstone Lake they have information that says it's best to not have used your boat, or even washed it with fresh water for a least a week before visiting so there is no "appearance" of water in the bilge.

Mark

A bilge isn't hard to keep dry and should be kept that way reguardless of invasive species laws.

1. Keep your hull in good repair.
2. Cover your boat when not in use.
3. Pull your bilge plug when tying your boat back down to the trailer after a day on the water.

Bilges can be sucked dry with a shop vac after was downs at home, or can be wicked dry overnight with a strip of cotton t-shirt material.

If your bilge is constantly wet on a trailered boat you have problems that should be addressed sooner than later.

So no one can go boating for 3-4 days after it rains?

What if you want to use your boat 2 or 3 days in a row, even on the same lake? Must you leave the boat in the lake while you are in a hotel 10 miles away?

Seriously, at best, they are going to slow down the spread of invasive species. They can not stop it. They can not stop animals and waterfowl from visiting multiple lakes.

They need to take some practical measures, and show some common sense in the regulations.

 

[series60]

Re: California invasive species regulations?

Silverwood SRA: All boats, personal watercraft, kayaks, canoes, sailboards, inflatables, and float tubes must undergo a mandatory inspection. This inspection is to prevent the spread of Quagga and Zebra Mussels. This invasive species threatens the recreational opportunities of the general public, the water delivery infrastructure of California, and the aquatic habitat of Silverwood Lake. These inspections are required to ensure the continued health and wellbeing of Silverwood Lake. Failure to allow inspection of any watercraft will result in the refusal to launch. All boats must be clean, drained, and dry! If you fail inspection you will not be able to launch for 7 days!

Personal experience with both of my boats: There better not be a drop of water in any part of the boat. They have you tilt the motor down and if water runs out you are out of there for 7 days.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: California invasive species regulations?

So no one can go boating for 3-4 days after it rains?

It's California....duh!

 

[QC]

Re: California invasive species regulations?

They need to take some practical measures, and show some common sense in the regulations.

Dang, and I always thought roscoe had common sense . . .

If your bilge is constantly wet on a trailered boat you have problems

Or swimmers. They must be stopped!!! Jeez guys, think outside your little box sometimes. If you indulge in water sports, or allow swimming, you can have an extremely wet bilge. My pump is on and off all day when the weather is warm, but my boat doesn't take on a drop without some assistance.

Silverwood SRA: . . .

Personal experience with both of my boats: There better not be a drop of water in any part of the boat. They have you tilt the motor down and if water runs out you are out of there for 7 days.

Heed this post, and an earlier suggestion. Check with the specific lake!! It doesn't matter what any of us say, it only matters what the guy at the little booth says when you pull up there. Despite this being a national issue, it is different from State to State and Lake to Lake. Havasu there is no discussion. Lake Mead they take it very seriously. Both can be accessed from Arizona, so there is no hard and fast rule. And, the local dude can be your best or worst friend. Heck, they make us take our cover off and inspect the bilge when you trailer into CA from AZ. No lake in sight. Completely dry and visible is the best blanket policy. Tagging as Bruce describes works if you boat on only one lake and that is their policy. What I would never do is simply show up unless I was primarily interested in testing my trailer