By Bay City News
Boat launches at two East Bay Municipal Utility District reservoirs will reopen in 2026 on a limited basis, following a yearlong closure aimed to stave off the invasive golden mussel.
The reopening plan was approved last week by the EBMUD Board of Directors for the San Pablo Reservoir in the East Bay and the Camanche Reservoir South Shore in the Sierra foothills.
The plan requires inspection of all trailered vessels and a mandatory 30-day quarantine and banding before they will be allowed to launch, according to EBMUD.
The destructive species hasn’t been detected at any of EBMUD’s reservoirs, but the golden mussel has spread quickly throughout the state since it was first identified in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in October 2024.
The golden mussel originated in Asia and its detection in Stockton was the first time it was found in North America. EBMUD closed its boat launches soon afterward to prevent the spread to its reservoirs by boat, which is among the most likely ways mussels spread.
The mussel is a freshwater species inhabiting shallow waters, and colonizes hard surfaces such as water intakes — impeding water flow, clogging pipes, and damaging equipment, including boat motors.
In addition, dense colonies of the species consume large quantities of microscopic plants and animals that are critical to native species and sport fish.
Pardee Reservoir, which collects 90% of the drinking water supplied to EBMUD’s more than 1.4 million customers, will not reopen to recreational boats in 2026.
EBMUD’s plan requires that boaters clean, drain and dry their vessels prior to inspection. At the inspection, a tamper-proof band will be attached to the boats that have been cleared for a 30-day quarantine.
At San Pablo Reservoir, boat launches will open from Feb. 8 through Oct. 31, 2026.
At Camanche Reservoir, boat launches at the South Shore will be open from May 1 through Oct. 1, 2026. The North Shore boat launch will not open in 2026.
Vessels that cannot be banded, such as car-top boats, kayaks and canoes, will be inspected and cleared prior to launch at Camanche, San Pablo, Lafayette and Chabot reservoirs. Boats are permitted only via special permit at Briones Reservoir and are not permitted at Upper San Leandro Reservoir.