HERALD, CA (MPG) - The Sacramento Municipal Utility District announced new watercraft restrictions on March 25 at Rancho Seco Lake as a preventive measure against the spread of invasive, non-native golden mussels recently discovered in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. 

The new restrictions follow an alert issued by the California Department of Fish & Wildlife that indicated the potential environmental and economic threats it could pose to the region.

According to the alert, golden mussel shells were recently discovered in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The species pose a threat to natural ecosystems, water conveyance systems, infrastructure and water quality in California and across the United States. 

“This discovery is the first known occurrence of golden mussels in North America,” the Department of Fish & Wildlife wrote in the alert. 

Golden mussels are similar in appearance, biology and impact to quagga and zebra mussels, per the alert, but can also establish in waters with lower calcium levels than required by quagga and zebra mussels. 

To protect Rancho Seco Lake from invasive mussels, only small watercraft that can be launched by hand (such as canoes, kayaks, smaller electric watercraft, paddle boats, sculls and the like) are now allowed. 

The watercraft must be thoroughly cleaned, drained and dried before launch, and cannot have been in any other waterway, including the Delta, for at least 30 days. To further protect the ecosystem, only artificial bait and lures are permitted. 

The measure also bars trailer-launched watercraft and live aquatic bait, including all baitfish, crawfish, crabs and mussels.

Small electric trolling motors and other hand-launched watercraft such as hand-launched canoes, rafts, kayaks, rowboats, paddle boats, inflatables, sculls and other hand-launched recreational watercraft will still be allowed on the lake.

All permitted watercraft will be required to undergo a watercraft inspection by a certified inspector or canine upon park entry. Inspectors will restrict any boat that has been in any other body of water in the last 30 days or that they deem a risk.

All watercraft must be clean, drained and dry. Boaters will be required to participate in visual inspections of their watercraft.

 All visitors planning to launch any flotation device will receive inspection, and devices must be fully clean, drained and dry before launching.

For more information about recreational activities at Rancho Seco Recreational Area, visit smud.org/RanchoSeco.