East Bay MUD restricting who can use their lakes...

[hoopykat]

I was watching the news last night, and EBMUD, the utility that runs Pardee, Comanche and San Pablo reservoirs is not allowing anyone on their lakes from Santa Clara and San Benito counties, nor any out of state boats due to the Quagga and Zebra Mussel problem. Boats not excluded MUST be inspected prior to each launch at these facilities. Man I can see hideous ramp times at these lakes. We boat at Comanche a lot since it's so close (makes a great day trip), and there are only 2 launch ramps.

Kinda sucks...

-Mike

[tessa]

My firsrt reaction is what kind of is this then I calmed down and realized that the other nearby resevoirs must have a zebra mussel problem and they don't want them transported into the access controlled resevoirs.

I don't know how bad the problem is there but I do know that in Lake Michigan they have to scrape of the water inlets quite often because the population grow so fast and the pumping station get plugged with them and cannot move water to the suburbs.

We are supposed to flush our bilge and lower units on our I/O's and outboards and flush the cooling system each time we pull the boats out of water so we don't transport the damn things.

My parents home lake has been invaded by the zebra mussels and after leaving my boat in over the weekend we could see them attached to our water intakes and in some bilges. The pipies on the doc poles have them in places 2+ inches thick and the shell is very sharp and will open a cut like a razor knife. Warn other boaters that this is a serious issue.

[da.bell]

Dang, it is only a matter of time before we get them in my part of the woods now....

[Domsz06]

i think they are aliens taking over!

[Jason B]

We have them in one of our lakes here. Actually, one of hte nicest lakes, so it's a shame. Those Bi**es HURT when you step on them. They aren't bad enough to clog things yet-thank goodness. They are no joke though. They are doing the right thing at the ramps!

[Big Wave]

These things are hideous. They are on Lake Mead and spreading through the SW rapidley. The water agencies are spending millions to try to prevent their spread with out alot of success. They are going to cost us all money going down the road in the form of higher maint. cost as well as higher water cost. We all should do everything we can to help prevent their spread.

[da.bell]

Has anyone heard if these mussles have been found at New Hogan's by Lake Commanche????

[SHIPYARD]

we also have zebras here on our system (winnebago, butte de mortts, poygan) they have been here for some time now....7-8 years maybe?? doesnt casue a lot of problems for the day boaters that launch every use, but the large cruisers that stay in the water all year are having major problems, i remember when i worked at a local marina having to use huge pressure washers with heaters (240 degrees) to get them off, and even then its a crapshoot because they can live through the winter out of the water only to come out of hibernation in the spring when the boats go back in the water.....i guess it would suck having mandatory inspections every time you launch but they are just trying to keep the water clean and the fish happy....

[talltigeguy]

we also have zebras here on our system (winnebago, butte de mortts, poygan) they have been here for some time now....7-8 years maybe?? doesnt casue a lot of problems for the day boaters that launch every use, but the large cruisers that stay in the water all year are having major problems, i remember when i worked at a local marina having to use huge pressure washers with heaters (240 degrees) to get them off, and even then its a crapshoot because they can live through the winter out of the water only to come out of hibernation in the spring when the boats go back in the water.....i guess it would suck having mandatory inspections every time you launch but they are just trying to keep the water clean and the fish happy....

I thought they died without fresh water in 3 days or so. I must be mistaken.

I think there is no such thing as 240 degree water, unless you put it in a pressure cooker. It just turns to steam.

Even if what I say is true, it is inevitable. Trying to stop them is futile. Just spend the money and control them when they get here. I hate to be a nihilist...

[SHIPYARD]

could be right about the water, the pressure washer had a dial that went to 240, whether it got that hot i dont know....

[da.bell]

Just got off the phone with my brother-in-law that works for the US Fish and Game Department in Stockton. At this time, Comanche does not have this mussle but there is an evasive species similar to the zebra located near a lake in Holister, CA.

I can understand why that these lakes do not want the boats from the area Hoopykat said because I think that the area's he is saying this species is at. Don't want to have this spreading.

[hoopykat]

Has anyone heard if these mussles have been found at New Hogan's by Lake Commanche????

We don't have them *yet* at any of these lakes. All these restrictions are a preventative measure. The lake in Hollister is in San Benito county; that's why no boats from there will be allowed at Camanche or any other EBMUD lake.

-Mike