Results from pilot program support continued action to help prevent the spread of golden mussels to Yuba River watershed. Photo courtesy of Yuba Water Agency

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Yuba Water Agency will continue screening all motorized watercraft at New Bullards Bar Reservoir through 2026 in an effort to prevent the spread of invasive golden mussels to the Yuba River watershed. The decision follows positive results from the agency’s 2025 pilot screening program.

Since the program launched Aug. 18, Yuba Water has screened nearly 2,300 vessels for visible signs of mussels, aquatic vegetation, mud and standing water, and talked with hundreds of boaters about their recent activity and clean, drain and dry practices. Although 19 vessels visited Bullards Bar from confirmed mussel-positive waters, screeners have not found any evidence of golden mussels in their screenings so far. Other reservoirs in our region, however, have intercepted boats that could have transported mussels, if not for screening efforts.

The California Department of Water Resources is evaluating the use of continuous low dose copper injection or low dose chlorine injection to control mussel biofouling. Photo courtesy of California Department of Water Resources

“These screenings have provided valuable data on where boats are coming from, how well visitors are following clean, drain, dry practices and helped us assess potential risks to our reservoir,” said Senior Environmental Specialist Jessica Nichols. “It’s been a really effective way to engage with boaters and people have been overwhelmingly supportive of our efforts. Boaters really seem to understand the risk and want to do their part to protect our waterways.”

The screenings, which take an average of about five minutes each, also provided secondary benefits, including local seasonal jobs, enhanced security at Bullards Bar and more opportunities to educate boaters about clean, drain and dry practices and the importance of securing and/or covering tow chains to reduce wildfire risk.

Yuba Water does not plan to implement a vessel tagging or banding program in 2026 due to the anticipated resources and staffing that it would require. Screenings remain free for all boaters.

First detected in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in fall 2024, golden mussels have spread throughout California waterways and pose a serious ecological and economic threat, including to the Yuba River watershed.

The watercraft screenings take an average of about five minutes each. Photo courtesy of Yuba Water Agency

“Our most recent surveys and ongoing monitoring show Bullards Bar remains mussel-free, and we’re working hard to keep it that way,” Nichols said. “But we still need everyone to be vigilant to help prevent the spread of golden mussels and remember to clean, drain and dry boats, kayaks, fishing gear…anything that comes into contact with the water…every time.”

More information on Yuba Water’s Invasive Mussel Prevention Program, including a new video encouraging all boaters to properly clean, drain and dry their vessels, is available at yubawater.org/invasives.