Effective November 25, 2024, USBR has implemented new protocols for boat launching at Lake Berryessa. The press release can be found here.

Any vessel wishing to launch must be inspected, logged into the WID system and a RED quarantine seal shall be applied for 30 days, and the vessel will not be permitted to launch at that time. The seal must remain intact, and the vessel will not have been launched in any other waterbody during the quarantine period.

Vessels that have finished the 30-day quarantine may return to the lake and have the seal removed by authorized staff (e.g. SCWA, USBR, or Concessionaire) and will be allowed to launch.

Any vessel wishing to launch sooner than the required 30-day quarantine period must have a hot-water decontamination performed by an approved entity. These vessels are allowed to launch immediately following decontamination. Should a vessel be decontaminated at another facility or by another entity, that decontamination will not be valid unless a seal is applied to the vessel and documentation is provided.

Upon exit from the Lake, all vessels must have a GREEN seal attached by authorized staff to be allowed to freely launch at Lake Berryessa. Otherwise, the vessel will need to undergo another quarantine period or decontamination.

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, are encouraged to be inspected for free at any watercraft inspection station, or if you are instructed to do so by trained staff at popular launch locations. All paddlers are encouraged to arrive Clean, Drained, and Dry.

The golden mussel was recently identified in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and is the first known occurrence of these invasive species in North America. This species poses a significant and immediate threat to the ecological health of Lake Berryessa, the Delta and all waters of the state, water conveyance systems, infrastructure, and water quality.

For questions about this new protocol and vessel decontamination, contact decon@SCWA2.com